How Much Dry Suit Does a New Diver Really Need?

[bodrgrd]

I have been diving for 20+years, but am just now getting into cold water/drysuit diving. Some of my friends keep telling me I need to spend between 2500 and 3000 dollars to get a suit that will work. Is this really necessary? I am really hesatant to spend that kind of money on something I am just getting into. My fear is I won't like diving in a dry suit, or am not able to dive as much as I like, and I am stuck with this huge investment. I love the DUI suits, but not the price tag. I am thinking of picking up a used suit and using that until I decide the direction I want to go and then getting a really great suit from DUI or Viking once I have some knowledge and experience. Thoughts?

 

[Paco]

I bought a new Bare Nex-Gen for right around $600 and though it is not top of the line, it keeps me dry and warm. I have over 130 dives on the suit and feel that I have really gotten my money´s worth.

 

[H2O 70]

I've been shopping dry suits. I speculate that if you have a dry suit, you'll likely dive locally more often. There is actual evidence out there supporting if you are warm and comfortable your body will off gas more effectively during your SS or deco stops, reducing the opportunity for DCS. Interpolate that to suggest your likely to be warm and more comfortable during your SS or deco stop in a dry suit. The offer a form of redundancy. For me there is a long list of reasons to dive dry.

My top 3 suits are between $1700 and $2500.

If you look on e-bay you'll come across some old DUI dry suits. To me that is a testament to their quality.

As you said, you can rent one, or go to LP and pick up one of those Bare for $650. Use it for a few seasons. If you want to upgrade, then upgrade. You'll likely have a better idea of what you're looking for then

 

[sabbath999]

You don't have to spend a ton of money on dry, if you are a "normal" shape.

I had a DUI suit made for me simply because I am very oddly proportioned (6'3 with 31 inch inseam) and none of the stock suits fit.

I have a good friend who dive the Bare and loves it. My dry suit instructor when I took the class was diving an inexpensive Whites suit that she loves.

You don't have to go whole hog if you can fit well in an off the rack suit.

 

[parzdiver]

Your location indicated North East US. If you are anywhere near Dutch Springs, Indian Valley Scuba runs a Dry Suit Demo Trailer most weekends. They have some great suits including the Whites Fusion and the Bare suits. They let you try them for free, including basic instruction and someone to dive with you. They also have some great deals if you buy from the trailer! It is how I got mine.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

I have been diving for 20+years, but am just now getting into cold water/drysuit diving. Some of my friends keep telling me I need to spend between 2500 and 3000 dollars to get a suit that will work. Is this really necessary? I am really hesatant to spend that kind of money on something I am just getting into. My fear is I won't like diving in a dry suit, or am not able to dive as much as I like, and I am stuck with this huge investment. I love the DUI suits, but not the price tag. I am thinking of picking up a used suit and using that until I decide the direction I want to go and then getting a really great suit from DUI or Viking once I have some knowledge and experience. Thoughts?

I am looking into suits too, and I think between 1000 and 2000 is more realistic for a more mid range suit with undergarments. From comments I have heard, from everyone with experience, the White's fusion is a GREAT suit for much less than a DUI suit. I have no experience with BARE suits so I dont have anything to say about those.

Certainly you dont need to spend a fortune for a good suit. Shop around, look for deals, see if you can get a break from your LDS, and remember you can always get a cheaper one now and save up for a high end suit (read DUI ) in the meantime.

 

[Web Monkey]

I have been diving for 20+years, but am just now getting into cold water/drysuit diving. Some of my friends keep telling me I need to spend between 2500 and 3000 dollars to get a suit that will work. Is this really necessary? I am really hesatant to spend that kind of money on something I am just getting into. My fear is I won't like diving in a dry suit, or am not able to dive as much as I like, and I am stuck with this huge investment. I love the DUI suits, but not the price tag. I am thinking of picking up a used suit and using that until I decide the direction I want to go and then getting a really great suit from DUI or Viking once I have some knowledge and experience. Thoughts?

I bought a brand new Mobby's for about $700 a few years back. My friend bought a nearly new (5 dives) custom-made DUI for about $600.

All your suit needs to do is have a good zipper, wrist and neck seals, be comfortable and loose enough so you can wear it along with whatever underwear you want and have the right size boots.

There's no reason it needs to be 3K.

In fact, if you have some patience, you can often find really nice $3000 suits being sold used for well under $1000.

Terry

 

[Kingpatzer]

Cost is really a secondary consideration to fit with a dry suit. If they don't fit right, you'll be very uncomfortable in them -- be they too loose or tight. Dry suits last a very long time, so gently used is a reasonable possibility, but stay away from 5+ year old suits. Those will likely have to have seals replaced and so forth, and if it has built in boots you're unlikely to have the same foot size as the prior owner, and once you add in those costs you'll be up around the cost of a new suit anyway.

There are plenty of good options out there which don't have to break the bank -- but they will start around $800 or so unless you get lucky.

 

[Andy077]

Hmmm.
I was going to answer, enough suit to cover you from feet to neck, out to the wrists.

 

[rongoodman]

If you fit a stock size, even the DUI suits can be had for much less than you quote. There are also used suits showing up all the time here and on The Deco Stop in the classifieds.