High end drysuit comparability
- Thread starter OsirisPan
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Yes. Based on the suits I've seen they tend to have a looser or "full" fit despite being MTM. I'll leave the second part of your question to be answered by someone with experience in the order process.
admikar
Contributor
Sorry, but I feel that is wrong.
My experience is that Seaskin is tight cut, but people tend to "pad" their numbers, even though Seaskin's instructions specifically tells not to.
Also, some suits are ordered with "thick undergarments" option, which adds to overall size in certain areas.
If anything, I might have like a few more centimeters around my thighs
My experience is that Seaskin is tight cut, but people tend to "pad" their numbers, even though Seaskin's instructions specifically tells not to.
Also, some suits are ordered with "thick undergarments" option, which adds to overall size in certain areas.
If anything, I might have like a few more centimeters around my thighs
mr_v
Contributor
What is your experience with dry suits?
I am looking for a second, backup dry suit. Unfortunately for my wallet, it is likely to be another SF Tech.
SF Tech is top notch and I haven't found a worthy competitor. However, SF Tech will make a terrible first suit if you discover that dry suit diving is not for you. All SF Tech suits are true made-to-measure and on a tighter side. You'll take a substantial price hit while trying to sell an SF Tech dry suit.
My second choice is an Otter out of UK. You can get true made-to-measure Otter suits, but the cut won't be as close to the body as SF Tech, which is not ideal for me. The difference between Otter (Atlantic, Kevlar) and SF Tech is about $1K USD...
I am also investigating Santi. Santi offers true made-to-measure suits and undergarments which is a big plus for me. However, again, the cut won't be as tight as SF Tech, but the price difference is about $600.
There is also SeaSkin. Probably the last resort (for me). I really don't like their cuts, as they are too loose.
Bare is no longer on my list. I do not see any advantages compared to the suits mentioned above.
Keep in mind that each suit requires upkeep. Zippers are rated for so many pulls before you must replace them. You also must care for zippers with proper cleaning, lubrication, and dealing with fraying edges. There are two main zipper manufacturers and if you have a metal zipper, you probably have an YKK zipper regardless of the suit brand. It costs $450 to replace the zipper and while you can do it yourself, professionals will probably do a better job with fewer re-dos.
I am looking for a second, backup dry suit. Unfortunately for my wallet, it is likely to be another SF Tech.
SF Tech is top notch and I haven't found a worthy competitor. However, SF Tech will make a terrible first suit if you discover that dry suit diving is not for you. All SF Tech suits are true made-to-measure and on a tighter side. You'll take a substantial price hit while trying to sell an SF Tech dry suit.
My second choice is an Otter out of UK. You can get true made-to-measure Otter suits, but the cut won't be as close to the body as SF Tech, which is not ideal for me. The difference between Otter (Atlantic, Kevlar) and SF Tech is about $1K USD...
I am also investigating Santi. Santi offers true made-to-measure suits and undergarments which is a big plus for me. However, again, the cut won't be as tight as SF Tech, but the price difference is about $600.
There is also SeaSkin. Probably the last resort (for me). I really don't like their cuts, as they are too loose.
Bare is no longer on my list. I do not see any advantages compared to the suits mentioned above.
Keep in mind that each suit requires upkeep. Zippers are rated for so many pulls before you must replace them. You also must care for zippers with proper cleaning, lubrication, and dealing with fraying edges. There are two main zipper manufacturers and if you have a metal zipper, you probably have an YKK zipper regardless of the suit brand. It costs $450 to replace the zipper and while you can do it yourself, professionals will probably do a better job with fewer re-dos.
Underwater Tourist
Contributor
Also, @OsirisPan , according to one guy on another forum:
Supposedly you can call Otter and negotiate a price with them for a MTM suit that will be meaningfully lower than what they list on the website. I havent tried it, but I did bookmark that post. If you can get an Otter suit for 15-20% more than a seaskin, then its a no brain switch for me
Opinions on Seaskin MTM Neoprene suits - The Dive Forum
By the summer I hope to have saved up enough money to buy a brand new suit. I'm very small (5ft 1 and size 6-8), so I'm thinking MTM might be best. Seaskin MTM neoprene suits seem great value (can get one for under £500, and thats with extras), but is the build quality OK? And will 3mm be warm...
www.thediveforum.com
admikar
Contributor
That post is 5 years old, last I heard is that Otter is not that friendly anymore.
Same with Santi. My instructor bought Santi suits with a group of friends about 10 or so years ago. They got factory tour and had nice chat with the boss himself.
2 years ago, my club bought 11 suits. They couldn't get a hello from the boss as he was passing by.
Even with heavy discount, stock Santi was still few hundred euros over my loaded Seaskin.
Is is better suit? Probably. I know it is better looking.
But my Seaskin is still keeping me dry and from what I saw and experienced diving Santi suit, they all will start to leak at some point.
Same with Santi. My instructor bought Santi suits with a group of friends about 10 or so years ago. They got factory tour and had nice chat with the boss himself.
2 years ago, my club bought 11 suits. They couldn't get a hello from the boss as he was passing by.
Even with heavy discount, stock Santi was still few hundred euros over my loaded Seaskin.
Is is better suit? Probably. I know it is better looking.
But my Seaskin is still keeping me dry and from what I saw and experienced diving Santi suit, they all will start to leak at some point.
Plus one vote for othreerecommendation is not to spend that much money in the first place.
I would do one of these for about $3k which is as good as it's going to get for durability, just heavy for travel
and one of these for local stuff
Deep 6 Makara Custom Drysuit
A durable, high quality, custom cut only drysuit made in Europe. See full description for modificationswww.deep6gear.com
Ri 2-100 Drysuit | OThree Custom Drysuits
The Ri 2-100 Drysuit has been specifically designed for technical divers. Hyper compression ensures virtually no buoyancy change at extreme depth.www.othree.co.uk
both are true top quality drysuits, and IMO though I'm a textile engineer so what do I know, better than DUI by quite a bit
Awesome suits and consumer care
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