Looking to upgrade to DUI, have a few questions

[Tigerpaw]

My first dry suit was a BARE in trilam and it has served me well but since I'm diving a lot and am transitioning over to Tech diving, I feel the time is right to upgrade. After some inquiries, I settled on the FLX extreme. I was going to get the TLS but read the FLX is more durable AND it dries just about as fast as the TLS.

Custom fit or generic fit?

Now that I've settled on a suit, I would like to get some thoughts on boots and gloves. I didn't realize there were so many options. For the boots, I do all types of diving, boat, shore, walking over uneven rough surfaces, fresh, salt,....etc
I've ruled out rock boots and have narrowed it down to ultra flex and turbo tec. I also wear a layer of wool socks so that would have to factor in as well.

Finally there's the gloves. I've seen the locking ring type but it seems like most divers have a hard time putting them on or taking them off. I'm looking for something I don't have to struggle to put on.

I haven't gone into a shop yet, I'm at the point where I'm trying to gather as much information as possible first but I plan to purchase in a week or so.

Well, that's it, thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[Tracy]

I am currently diving the ultraflex and have been pleased with them. The turbo tec does allow a bit more ankle flexibility but I haven't noticed the full boot hindering me in any way.
I use the zip gloves. Some people hate having attached gloves, it doesn't bother me. I don't dive gear that I can't manipulate with gloves on, so it hasn't ever been an issue. I like the lack of hard rings and the lack of a connection to leak.

 

[J-Vo]

I'm very happy with my signature cut TLS. It's held up well so far even with scrapping through tight caves. I have a few friends that are happy after switching from FLX to TLS due to the increased mobility.

I use the DUI zip gloves with no issues, but there are tricks to suiting up with gloves on that you'll need to learn. Mainly putting the kneck seal in place before the your arms go in.

For boots my preference is oversized wet boots over the DUI neo socks. Plenty of flexibility, secure, and keeps the bubble out of your feet. Plus, they are easy to swap out.

 

[Tracy]

I also prefer the TLS over the FLX. I am currently diving an FLX and it is tough. But I do miss the lightweight and quick drying of the TLS. My TLS does have a lot of patches from many different pokes and cuts over the years.

 

[Tigerpaw]

I also prefer the TLS over the FLX. I am currently diving an FLX and it is tough. But I do miss the lightweight and quick drying of the TLS. My TLS does have a lot of patches from many different pokes and cuts over the years.

I've read that the drying times are close. An example I saw was hypothetically if the TLS takes 30 mins to dry, the FLX takes 45 mins. Would you say that is accurate or close? (The difference not the actual times)

Also is mobility affected?

 

[Tigerpaw]

For boots my preference is oversized wet boots over the DUI neo socks. Plenty of flexibility, secure, and keeps the bubble out of your feet. Plus, they are easy to swap out.

Do the neo socks allow you to wear a pair of woolen socks?

 

[Tracy]

I've read that the drying times are close. An example I saw was hypothetically if the TLS takes 30 mins to dry, the FLX takes 45 mins. Would you say that is accurate or close? (The difference not the actual times)

Also is mobility affected?

Mobility is affected a bit, It isn't awful, but it is noticeable. I haven't ever measured time, but the TLS would usually be dry by the time I get back to the dock. The FLX isn't.

 

[J-Vo]

Do the neo socks allow you to wear a pair of woolen socks?

I had mine fitted for 400 gram socks. This will be an option when you get measured. I have no issues wearing a cycling sock+wool winter hiking sock+Forth Element Arctic sock.

 

[lostsheep]

Do the neo socks allow you to wear a pair of woolen socks?

I too wear wet boots over the neoprene socks.

I use smart wool snowboarding / skiing socks which are relatively thin. Between the smart wool, neoprene socks, and the wet boots there is plenty of insulation. I’ve used these down to about 46F and been happy so far.

An additional benefit is I wear the exact same boots and fins when I travel to warm water

 

[Thunder Struck]

I have the TLS, rack size since I fell inline with the measurements and it works well. I have the UltraFlex 2.0 boots but if I was to do it again I think I'd go with neoprene socks and rock boots (like the Altama Maritime). Reason being, most of my diving with it is shore diving that requires walking over a lot of rocks, plus one of the spots is a popular beach party spot where the a**hats that don't mind leaving trash to include occasional broken glass at the location. If I were mostly boat/sandy beach the TurboTec boots would be just fine. The do have a fin strap hook on the back to keep the fins from popping off should you go inverted or otherwise get an excess of air in the boots.

As to gloves I've got both the DUI Zip Seal gloves as well as a set of Rolock 3 ring based gloves affixed to a pair of HD latex Zip Seals. The DUI gloves are cumbersome in that once you are zipped up, all your final preparation is with the gloves on. The Rolocks, however, I can save putting on until the moment before I go to get in the water. They have a twist lock system that goes on and off easily. The cost to replace a bad DUI glove is quite high (currently $208/pair), where the Rolocks just use the Showa gloves you can get for a few bucks per pair. Additionally, you can easily and inexpensively keep a couple sizes depending on how thick of liners you will be using for the area/season and change them as needed. Downside to the Rolocks is the hard plastic ring that is present, whereas the DUI glove has a pliable cuff. The Rolock 3 ring system kit can be purhcased from DGX for $166. Showa 720s can be picked up for $6/pair and Merino wool gloves for $20-$30/pair. I ended up installing mine on a extra pair of HD latex wrist seals ($144/pair) so I can swap back to silicone seals without the glove ring if needed.

The sizing guide from DUI for the gloves is fairly liberal and I wound up with gloves a size larger and looser than I'd like, but I guess they are also trying to accomodate thicker under gloves.

Looking at the DUI gloves, if I did have to replace them due to damage, I'd probably try cutting off the Zip Seal portion of the glove and gluing that onto a replacement Showa glove.

DUI does offer SI Tech wrist seals (under option 7 on the order sheet) with choices of Antares Cuff/Antares Glove Rings, Quick Cuff/Quick Glove Rings, SI-5 rubber rings only, SI-5 rubber rings with latex seals, and SI-5 rubber rings with HD latex seals.

Go ahead and order a P-valve. You might not think about it now, but you'll likely want it down the road. The guys I dive with that didn't have one but later added one wished they had it from the start. DUI can install it (I have the Lightmonkey balanced--no complaints) so it'll work without leaking. One friend tried to install one himself and found it to have a slight water leak around the valve itself. Operator error I'm sure, but I just opted to spend a couple extra bucks to have it done right the first time as part of my suit order, as well as being covered under warranty.