Temp in the 50s? Man, you guys have it good in Texas. Diving wet down to the low 40s around here is fine. Below that, it's preferable with my drysuit.
Is a drysuit that much better?
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diverlady
Contributor
Okay, I'll be devil's advocate.
I prefer diving wet to dry. I have a 4mil compressed neoprene drysuit and once that is on with my thermal undies as well as fleece underneath, I find I have less range of motion than when in my wetsuit. That together with the increased drag, I find diving dry to be much more work. Since I put as little air in my drysuit as possible, I also find the squeeze more than in my wetsuit. I certainly don't regret getting a drysuit and I do use it but I prefer my wetsuit.
Diverlady
I prefer diving wet to dry. I have a 4mil compressed neoprene drysuit and once that is on with my thermal undies as well as fleece underneath, I find I have less range of motion than when in my wetsuit. That together with the increased drag, I find diving dry to be much more work. Since I put as little air in my drysuit as possible, I also find the squeeze more than in my wetsuit. I certainly don't regret getting a drysuit and I do use it but I prefer my wetsuit.
Diverlady
Diverlady,
you ought to try a very thin shell, like a DUI 350, with something like a Weezle underneath.
Its like diving in your jammies!
I think you'll find the difference between that drysuit and the one you've got to be profound...
Doc
you ought to try a very thin shell, like a DUI 350, with something like a Weezle underneath.
Its like diving in your jammies!
I think you'll find the difference between that drysuit and the one you've got to be profound...
Doc
wetman
Contributor
Completely depends on the weather above and below. Drysuits for staying warm, but i have to say i love it wet in the summer when the water is warm enough. (60+ for my 7 mil, 73+ for the skin). I like the more refreshed feeling i get from that - like you just took a nice swim. I feel it brings you closer to the water for some reason.
steve
steve
diverlady
Contributor
Doc Intrepid once bubbled...
Diverlady,
you ought to try a very thin shell, like a DUI 350, with something like a Weezle underneath.
Its like diving in your jammies!
I think you'll find the difference between that drysuit and the one you've got to be profound...
Doc
The difference in price is profound too!!
IndigoBlue
Contributor
Depends on the type of drysuit. My shell suit does not compress me at all. It is perfectly comfortable in and out of the water.
For me yes. The main advantage of a drysuit is additional warmth in the water. The added advantages of a drysuit are that you can also be more comfortable out of the water as well, before the dive, between dives, and after diving.
A double layered 7mm wetsuit has the least freedom of movement. Any other suit, whether a thinner wetsuit or else any type of drysuit, is going to give you more freedom of movement than that.
You need to care more for a drysuit than a wetsuit. After a dive, you can shed your wetsuit and let it lay on the floor for days. Then even though it stinks afterwards, just throw it in the washer on a gentle cycle and warm water, with laundry detergent, and wash it to perfection.
If you did that with a drysuit, the salt crystallization might destroy your suit, and you cannot wash it in a washer, you have to soak it in your tub. Drysuits require immediate care right after you finish diving. Rinsing and drying my drysuit is the first thing I normally do when I get home after diving, no matter how tired I am.
Regarding which is better, wet or dry, I feel that it depends on your other options. Dive skins or a 3mm wetsuit are more comfortable than a drysuit, but then you would never wear a drysuit to places where you could wear dive skins or a 3mm wetsuit.
A 5 mm wetsuit is almost as comfortable as a drysuit. Here the choice is sort of a toss up.
A 7mm wetsuit, especially in the farmer john configuration, is easily the most uncomfortable suit on this earth. Therefore I would recommend ANY drysuit over ANY 7mm wetsuit any day.
My 2 Euro's worth.
Thanks for all of your replies! I will start shopping around for a drysuit. Now a few more questions.... (and yes I've done a search on drysuits on the board but would like some local opinion)
1. Shell or neoprene for diving in the Great Lakes and the St-Lawrence River
2. Where to shop in the Ottawa area (I'm thinking of maybe going the custom size route..opinions)
3. Any brands to recommend and why? (I was going to look at Bare and Whites)
4. Where (or if) to take the drysuit course...good and bad experiences)
5. Can I get it all for around 1000$ CDN (if not, what would you spend more on...undergarments, boots, accessorires etc...)
Thanks
1. Shell or neoprene for diving in the Great Lakes and the St-Lawrence River
2. Where to shop in the Ottawa area (I'm thinking of maybe going the custom size route..opinions)
3. Any brands to recommend and why? (I was going to look at Bare and Whites)
4. Where (or if) to take the drysuit course...good and bad experiences)
5. Can I get it all for around 1000$ CDN (if not, what would you spend more on...undergarments, boots, accessorires etc...)
Thanks
IndigoBlue
Contributor
DEFINITELY take it. All good.
Eric__U
Contributor
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hey,
I don't think you could get a custom cut for $1000 . I think Bare makes a decent suit if it fits you correctly. Have you taken a look at diving concepts? http://www.fifthd.com/5thdproduct/drysuits/5thd-suit1000.htm NTD(www.northerntechdiver.com) is a dealer and from what i've heard about those suits i think they would be worth a look at.
eric
I don't think you could get a custom cut for $1000 . I think Bare makes a decent suit if it fits you correctly. Have you taken a look at diving concepts? http://www.fifthd.com/5thdproduct/drysuits/5thd-suit1000.htm NTD(www.northerntechdiver.com) is a dealer and from what i've heard about those suits i think they would be worth a look at.
eric
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