HELP! Shoulder or front zip dry suit?

[wmspdi]

I recently ordered a DC Flex tri-lam front zip stock dry suit. Yesterday I tried it on in the store with the help of the LDS owner. The suit fit me once I had it on, but getting into it was a chore, and I started to freakout because I had a hard time twisting and contorting my body enough to get out. I am a big guy (XXXL) with broad shoulders and not very fexible.

I selected a front zip so I could don it myself, but have found this is not possible. Since a custom suit is out of the question at this time ($$$), would a suit that zips from shoulder to shoulder across the back by easier to to get into and out of? DC make the suit in this style, and the dealer will exchange it since the seals have not been cut. I have decided that I am going to need help getting into and out of a dry suit either way I go. Since this will be used mostly while diving with the same group of divers there will be someone nearby to do the zipper honors.

 

[Diver0001]

The suit fit me once I had it on, but getting into it was a chore, and I started to freakout because I had a hard time twisting and contorting my body enough to get out.

What, exactly, was causing the trouble?

R..

 

[diverbrian]

I am flexible. At times, it seems easier to get myself fully in or out of my old back zip Andy's than my new DS-2 which is a diagonal front zip. The front zip's seem to require a "technique" to make sure that you get the correct arm in/out first. Otherwise, it turns into a wrestling match, LOL.

You may want to speak to Mitten Diver on this board. I remember him being in your position (and he is another guy built in the "larger" variety with large shoulders). He had trouble the first time we tried out his DS-2, now is better at getting in and out of his than I am at getting in and out of mine.

 

[wmspdi]

What, exactly, was causing the trouble?

R..

I couldn't twist either shoulder enough to get my left or right arm out of the suit. I had to place both arms at my side and have the helper peel the suit down my body tugging hard all the way down (not good for the suit).

I am thinking that if I get a shoulder to shoulder back zip, once the zipper is unzipped and I pull the neck seal over my head I could drop my arms and (once I get my wrists out of the seals) I could just let the suit drop to my waist.

 

[Diver0001]

I couldn't twist either shoulder enough to get my left or right arm out of the suit. I had to place both arms at my side and have the helper peel the suit down my body tugging hard all the way down (not good for the suit).

I am thinking that if I get a shoulder to shoulder back zip, once the zipper is unzipped and I pull the neck seal over my head I could drop my arms and (once I get my wrists out of the seals) I could just let the suit drop to my waist.

OK, I can visualize your problem but I don't know how to help you with it. I hope someone else with more experience with front-loaders finds this thread.

Your idea of how to get out of a back-zip is correct. That's how it works.

R..

 

[rcontrera]

The problem is the suit design. Most drysuit manufacturers just take an XL and add inches here and there to make them bigger. However, they use the same length zipper in a large as they do an XL or bigger.

I am a really big diver myself and have found that a cross chest front entry suit with an extended length zipper is very easy to get into. Those diagonal zip suits are tough enough for skinny dudes. And if you are a large size dude ... FUGEDABOUDIT!

Since you said that dollars is a very big concern, I wouldn't go with ANY drysuit that doesn't fit right. It will trash in no time flat and then you gotta re-invest. A custom suit ain't cheap. My custom front entry suit with all the buzzers and bells was about $1700! But it fits like a dream and keeps me very comfortable.

Hey ... life is tough enough for a big guy without having to dive in stuff that doesn't fit!

Just my $.02

Ray

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I also just started using a dry suit. Mine however is a semi-custom OS systems HD Pro. I'm not a big guy but at 45 I don't flex like I used to 20 yrs ago. My complete suit w/undergarments & commercial dry glove system was just under 1700 bucks. The semi-part was the legs needed to be 2 inches shorter than stock. another 130 or so but well worth it. My question is who measured you for your suit or wasd it just yeah you need an XL. before we even looked at sizes my dealer took, I believe, about 40 measurements, looked at his size charts, then called OS to verify and see what they suggested. And what I got was what I got and it fits like a dream. another guy had your dilemma about cash and decided to go with a stock size and he looks real cool with that extra material flapping around his ankles and creating extra air space. He's sending his back this week to get it taken off and now has to pay for the alteration plus freight both ways. I agree with rcontrerra and say that maybe you ought to wait another payday or two and get what you need. I was going to buy a full custom 7mm to "save money". am so glad I didn't! Leaving for ginnie springs tomorrow at 3AM from pa.72 degree water sounds warm here where the snow is flying. but I bet I'll do alot more dives and be alot more comfy in my drysuit that fits like it should in one that doesn't or in a 7 that I'd want to get out of when the air starts to chill down. Just my opinion but get what you need because you need it. Don't settle for lees than you need because you want it now.

 

[wmspdi]

Well I returned the stock Flex suit to the LDS, the shop owner took some new measurements and called Diving Concepts while I was there. DC said the problem was the stock suit didn't fit me through the chest... duhh!

The LDS took the suit back for a credit toward a new suit (no refunds) and the only other line he carries is DUI (out of the $$$ question). DC is sending an updated cataolge to the LDS with fitting instructions. They don't make the entry level Tri-lam I wanted in a custom cut, but they will make a custom cut in the next model up, and also in their entry level neoprene (not crushed neo). I am not sure which way to go. The neo "custom cut" is $140.00 more than the stock suit I returned, the Tri-lam is $340 more. Both prices are for custom cut dry suits, plus sales tax, but no under garments. DC say "when the suit is cut right either front or back entry styles will not be a problem". Any comments, advice or experiences I should know about?

 

[Mitten Diver]

I purchased an Andy's DS2 last year and remember having a heck of a time peeling out of it, as a matter of fact slipping in to it. There is definately a technique to use with this suit. First insert right arm into suit and through seal I find wearing my thin drysuit gloves helps to get hand through the seal next pull suit over head but do not pull seal down over your head. insert left arm into suit and through seal. Next strech neck over head and adjust. Stop wipe sweat from head. You are now donned.

To doff suit unzip and pull suit over head but keep it tucked inside the suit. Pull left arm through seal and out of suit then finish with right arm. I use the Viking ring system for my dry gloves, I use these because it streches the seal out to account for my big fat hands. These are even a little snug going over the nuckle section but slip on and off easy enough. I will investigate whether they make bigger seals for my hands when they need replacing.

I also found that using my Andy's US100 makes donning and doffing a little tougher as well. I will be looking at replacing those undies with the strech type latter this summer, after all these undies still work almost to well at keeping me warm and during the summer I use some polypro style thermal undies for warmth, I am pretty tolerant of the cold though so your milage may very. These make the suit easier to don and doff though.

Mitten Diver

 

[CALI68]

Well I returned the stock Flex suit to the LDS, the shop owner took some new measurements and called Diving Concepts while I was there. DC said the problem was the stock suit didn't fit me through the chest... duhh!

The LDS took the suit back for a credit toward a new suit (no refunds) and the only other line he carries is DUI (out of the $$$ question). DC is sending an updated cataolge to the LDS with fitting instructions. They don't make the entry level Tri-lam I wanted in a custom cut, but they will make a custom cut in the next model up, and also in their entry level neoprene (not crushed neo). I am not sure which way to go. The neo "custom cut" is $140.00 more than the stock suit I returned, the Tri-lam is $340 more. Both prices are for custom cut dry suits, plus sales tax, but no under garments. DC say "when the suit is cut right either front or back entry styles will not be a problem". Any comments, advice or experiences I should know about?

How much more is a custom TLS350? The telescoping torso of the DUI's will solve your donning and doffing problems plus the TLS is a really comfortable suit.