How important is a test dive before choosing a drysuit?

[happy-diver]

See all the air I'm expulsing through my twin hose regulator, well that's because I am powering along pretending to chase the extra $500.00 I did not spend on the drysuit I was planning to dive over the next ten years and I am trying to get warm because I didn't buy a tailor made suit from Seaskin UK, just one bridge over the Atlantic and there you go, may as well be the same country it's from whence you came and anyway now that you've taken up stealing their princes as well, I would suggest that for a quick out of country purchase for a suit lifetime of shiver free diving comfort you will be by all of us and by all those from above and importantly yourself, mostly forgiven

Review - Seaskin Nova drysuit

I ordered a new Seaskin Nova (trilam) drysuit at the beginning of June. It arrived last week. I took it up to the Saint Lawrence River and did 7 wreck dives from Fri to Mon (yesterday), as part of an Advanced Wreck Penetration class with @Trace Malinowski. I am VERY pleased with how it worked...

scubaboard.com

 

[drk5036]

Sorry to be contrarian. There's no such thing as a perfect drysuit but I would stay stay away from trilaminate unless you are traveling.

Properly fitted crushed neoprene is smoother and more flexible (less drag), more durable, more inherent insulation (thinner undergarments, greater mobility) with a minimal buoyancy shift at depth.

My custom trilam suit was generally cold (i could tolerate it but it was definitely not comfortable unless i went 400g thinsulate which killed the range of motion), invariably damp from pinhole leaks and required a lot more effort to swim.

My crushed neoprene back entry fits and swims like a wetsuit. The main drawback is that i need help zipping and unzipping.

This is my opinion as well. Shell suits certainly have a target demographic, but I think many divers who mainly dive in NOT near-freezing water, within recreation limits would actually be more well suited and prefer a neoprene drysuit.

 

[Ulfhedinn]

There is a post on here about the Frogman suit. Look it over. I have seen the suit in RL and it looks good and it seems to be pretty bulletproof. If I had not already had my Santi I would have gotten it. Still looking to get one for my backup suit.

Frogman drysuit first impression

This might be kinda longish. Disclaimer: I have no interest in the company, I paid for my suit and doing this review on my own initiative. THis might be longish. Alright. once in a while I feel adventurous and take risks. So, what's the worst that could happen if I order a MTM drysuit from...

scubaboard.com

 

[Markus Kircher]

Cost of DUI seals is a total ripoff!


Also makes it easier to turn the suit inside out to dry should it get wet inside.

My first drysuit was a DUI, never again!

I fully understand your opinion! I had the same experience.