How Much Dry Suit Does a New Diver Really Need?

[MXGratefulDiver]

For my money - and with nearly 100 dives in this - I have to say that the fusion is the way to go - hands down. I have tried other and owned other suits - the fusion has kept me happier than any other suit.

Just my opinion

Fusion's great if you're built for it.

Mine was a constant struggle ... to get into, to get out of, to learn to like. I never quite succeeded at that last one. Eventually I gave up and sold it. AFAIK, the fellow who bought it is very happy with the suit. Me ... I'm happy to finally not have to deal with it anymore.

The Fusion is a very different type of suit than typical shell suits. It offers some advantages ... again, for those who are built for it. If you're not ... as I'm not ... you won't even get the flexibility advantage the suit is known for, and you'll be stuck with all of the drawbacks and none of the benefits.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[dhuskins]

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?

How much dry suit does a person really need? Enough to stay warm and dry. No more. No less.

The DUI suits are extremely nice (and priced accordingly.)

Instead of looking at price first, look at what you get/need. Do you want a suit that dries quickly? Is so, avoid neoprene. Do you want pockets for slates? Do you dive in numerous water temps? How often will you be diving dry? Do you want your hands dry too? Built-in shoes?

Once you know the answers to these questions, then look for the ones that have the features you want and buy it. If you are "normal" in size, then off-the-shelf suits may work for you. If you want to minimize the size of the air pocket, custom made is more your choice.

I love diving dry and wanted the ability to change my thermal protection as my dive locations change. I also like the ability to switch between dry gloves and dry hood with ease. For this reason, I choose a custom DUI suit with zip seals. I had to give up a comfortable neoprene neck seal as they don't make one with zip seals.

 

[David_57]

No mention of Atlan on here they are great Canadian made dry suits basic but do the trick and priced right. I have had one for the last 200 dives no leaks just a little damp around the feet caused by perspiration, which I believe many people mistake for a leak.

Finally broke down and purchased a DUI CLX 450 and boy what a difference incredibly comfortable and I find the quality and fit well worth what I paid. I guess the point I am making although moot is I purchased a cheaper dry suit realized how much I enjoy cold water diving up here in Canada after 200 or so dry suit dives realized exactly what I wanted then decided to invest in a more expensive suit. Now I have a back up suit my Atlan for when my DUI is having the leaks fixed ;-) Or I could sell probably in the 4 to 500 range which would equate to 2.50 per dive. So go with a cheaper suit there are many good ones our there for me I liked the Atlan and give yourself some time to figure out if you like diving in cold water, evaluate whats important to you in a dry suit then if you are not happy with your budget dry suit you will know exactly what you want and make the right decision for you if you decide to go with a more high end dry suit.

 

[bodrgrd]

OK, to let everyone know what i did for a suit. I kept looking on E-bay and found and bought an O'neill 7000X for $300.00. I dove it this past weekend in 35 degree water for 40 minutes and was really pleased. I was diving doubles and the suit for the first time so there was a little bit of a task load, but I liked the suit. It fits well, and I was super warm. The only thing I was a little worried about was the boots being a little big, but once I got two pairs of socks on they fit fine and my feet stayed warm.
I had on my poly pro bottoms and a fleece vest and I was plenty warm. I was wearing a pair of 7mm neoprene gloves and my hands were plenty warm.
Overall I like the suit. The seals and valves all work well and there are no leaks. I am going to get a DUI or viking in a couple of years, and use this one as aback up, but this suit will get me to and from the wrecks for a while.
Thanks for all the info.
Oh, one thing I noticed was I can't find any official O'neill information on their drysuits. They have a web site with a ton of information on wetsuits and clothing, but none on drysuits. If anyone has a link to more information from the company I would really appreciate it.

 

[fisheater]

Good to hear.

Another option to make the boots work for you is to use a thick heat moldable insert, such as Sole. Check them out at REI or equivalent.

 

[NAM001]

If anywhere the phrase SIZE MATTERS" applies, It is in dry suits. If it doesnt fit right it doesnt work right. I dont dive mine very ofted however a baggy suit is a ballasting nuightmare. You have to have one fit right. If not the air moves from one end of the suit to the other.


the price is up there, however you mentioned DUI, I have a tls350 and love it. Mine was priced at i guess 3500. I paid much less than that for it. pm me and i will tell how i got it. Do not buy one off the rack unless you think you are the off the rack size. not to likely with DUI. Go toa DUI RALLY and try them on with the undergarments and formulate your suit package. The rally gives you a discount card not for the suit for for free upgrades. so you get the suit for say 2800 and get 6-700 of options that get you at that 3500 price tag. you need to have zip seals not the regular seals. You need to have them measure you for sizing not the shop.

Lastly you will see suits for say 1800 or custom for 2500. do the custom. it is fitted for you with the undergarments you will dive with. The folks at dui are really good ad getting the right suit cut ..... they can get you the right thermal quality of undergarments just from talking to you.. At rally you dive the suit and you get to try such things as using the bcd for bouyancy or the suit for bouyancy control. The suit opens up a new world. Like clear water. The demo tls I used at the rally with the polartech undies took me to 50 degrees with only a slight sensation of cool. What bouyancy issues i had with the demo were gone when i got the custom delivered. This is my tls in the pic to the left custom designed (visibility i n mind) with my color scheme and options. all I added so far is a p valve. (do that at home, or at the lds)

Another thing is rock boots..... you will be able to get the right size of boots because the undies affect the size of boot you need. You may need to buy a new set of fins. (bigger foot) but you can wear the boots even with a wet suit and use the same fins for both wet and dry.

 

[themagni]

I've got a raise coming up this summer, and I'm getting a custom-fit Sea Tux for $1200.

 

[a22shady]

Congrats on the new Drysuit. However when the time comes I would give some serious thought into PUrchasing a BARE suit if you looking for Tri-Lam Go with the HD Tech Dry. It's an awesome suit. I was comparing a lot for me it Came down to DUI TLS350 and Bare and after trying them both on and out. Only difference's I noticed was the Name and Price Tag. Overall I liked the Tougher looking exterior of the Bare and it came with alot of the things standard that DUI charges for. Also Bare has lifetime warranty on Seam and workmmanship, DUI offers 7. Both are great suits just depends on what you want to Spend. Bare offers more in Stock off theshelf in between sizes. For the same suit Size/Equipement I saved over 800 Between Bare/Signature DUI

 

[carrielsal]

I bought my first DS last year and decided to go with a White's Fusion. It's a pain to get on, but it's pretty darn comfy. I started with the Fusion boots, but I ended up buying a pair of Evo's. I like them much better.
I buy quite a bit of gear used and thought about looking for a used DS, but no matter what it's a pretty big investment. I wanted whatever I bought to last me for many years.

 

[DCBC]

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?

You don't have to pay a lot of money to get a good reliable dry suit. I just noticed today that a new HOG/EDGE suit is selling for $899 (EDGE - Lightweight Dry Suit [DS-EDGE-Lightweight] - $899.95 : Tech Diving Limited, a subsidiary of Scuba Training and Technology Inc.).

Everyone has their own preference, but if it's a choice between Viking and DUI I would recommend the Viking. I've owned two DUI suits and haven't been happy with them. I've had a number of Vikings and they wear much better, are lighter, dry faster, quick to repair (like fixing a bicycle tire) and will not stain. I'd recommend that you get the cuff rings (you can change a damaged wrist seal in less than 5 minutes).