I'm sure you're right. I'm a crappy salesman. It must be compressed.evad:
Neoprene Dry Suits? What's good, What's bad?
- Thread starter USIA
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USIA:
I thought I'd miss my rock boots when I went to my neoprene drysuit.. I do not.. if fact you couldn't pay me to go back. I've seen some built in boots that were less then optimal harveys and bare come to mind. But if you search the market you'll find some outstanding examples of excellent boot systems that are built in. IMO I wouldn't build in gators.. make sure the suit fits that legs right and there should be no problem.
Bare has a lifetime warranty on seams. That is amazing on a shako <sp> suit. However if you use a superior grade of neoprene something commercial such as the HighTide line does seams become a non issue.. but the you can't make a $500 suit.. you'll be asking $1000+ depending on the protective nylon exterior.
geraldp
Contributor
I own a Whites TriLam (Catalyst Quadflex), but it started leaking so it's currently up in Saanichton, BC getting repaired. My LDS loaned me a Northern Diver DiveMaster neoprene suit a couple of weeks ago and I was amazed at the difference. At first I didn't care for it... it gave me extreme claustrophobia to fit it over my head, and I discovered I needed an extra 5 pounds to dive with it. Also I was amazed at how much squeeze I got compared to my TriLam suit. Besides the squeeze, however, it was comfortable and I was WARM! I'm often get cold in my Catalyst - I added drygloves and even Argon and still get cold. The "4mm hyper-compressed neoprene" on the Northern Diver suit made a big difference. I also found that I didn't shuck the suit during the Surface Interval (part of that was because I didn't want to go through the effort). Still it was very comfortable on the boat.
As for boots - I use Whites EvoII boots over my built-in Catalyst socks. They are extremely stable on the boat or on rocks. However I had to move to humongous XXL Jet Fins to fit over the (size 13) boots. The built-in boots on the Northern Diver and the Andes DS1 I've rented work fine, however, and with those I don't need the XXL Jets to dive.
As for hoods - None of the drysuits I've used so far have built-in hoods - I have a Henderson Hyperstretch Artic hood. With my claustrophobic tendencies I can't imagine diving with a built-in hood, but I've been happy with an add-on dryhood.
As for warrantees: I got word back from my LDS a couple of days ago that Whites is saying that my leak is due to a de-lamination around the intake valve. Whites apparently only offers 1 year on materials and 2 on workmanship. Since the suit is 18 months old, apparently I'm SOL :-(. They're still negotiating, so hopefully they (either Whites or my LDS) will do something for me.
Jerry
As for boots - I use Whites EvoII boots over my built-in Catalyst socks. They are extremely stable on the boat or on rocks. However I had to move to humongous XXL Jet Fins to fit over the (size 13) boots. The built-in boots on the Northern Diver and the Andes DS1 I've rented work fine, however, and with those I don't need the XXL Jets to dive.
As for hoods - None of the drysuits I've used so far have built-in hoods - I have a Henderson Hyperstretch Artic hood. With my claustrophobic tendencies I can't imagine diving with a built-in hood, but I've been happy with an add-on dryhood.
As for warrantees: I got word back from my LDS a couple of days ago that Whites is saying that my leak is due to a de-lamination around the intake valve. Whites apparently only offers 1 year on materials and 2 on workmanship. Since the suit is 18 months old, apparently I'm SOL :-(. They're still negotiating, so hopefully they (either Whites or my LDS) will do something for me.
Jerry
Bob_B
Contributor
Just wondering what type of rig, most of you that are adding weight, are using. I assume it must be a single rig. I'm in double 108s so I have not had to add weight to use the 7mm suit. I guess that is another benefit for me. I am not as negative in the 7mm.
As for the boots, my Atlan has a rubber type 3/4 boot. (best way I know to describe it) It is 1000% better that the mess that is on the Havey's. I've never tried the rock boot or the Evo's so I can't speak as to the difference.
As for the boots, my Atlan has a rubber type 3/4 boot. (best way I know to describe it) It is 1000% better that the mess that is on the Havey's. I've never tried the rock boot or the Evo's so I can't speak as to the difference.
This is really bogus on the part of Whites. They have had some other customer support issues and wicked slow turnaround times on some repairs. This does not reflect well on them.geraldp:
At the shop I instruct for we haven't had a single customer complaint about Whites themselves or their service. Turnarounds have been speedy.Tom Winters:
laivindil
Contributor
I've never dove dry but on the wetsuits I rent the first thing to go is the knees. Tough knees are a must on any exposure suit IMO.
Just my .02 psi.
Just my .02 psi.
matt_unique
Guest
I dive the O'neill neoprene drysuit (with DC neo drygloves). The only negative aspects are the weight needed to sink and a slight reduction in mobility compared to other materials.
Everything else is good in my opinion; streamlined, durable, warm, better thermal protection in the event of a ripped suit, seam and zipper life (neo stretches and helps protect these items), and cost.
There are better suits, but none are 5 times better. I can buy a brand new O'Neill neo drysuit for $500. You are not 5 times warmer or 5 times more comfortable in a $2500 suit. When my current suit dies I will buy another.
--Matt
Everything else is good in my opinion; streamlined, durable, warm, better thermal protection in the event of a ripped suit, seam and zipper life (neo stretches and helps protect these items), and cost.
There are better suits, but none are 5 times better. I can buy a brand new O'Neill neo drysuit for $500. You are not 5 times warmer or 5 times more comfortable in a $2500 suit. When my current suit dies I will buy another.
--Matt
Seems to me the biggest advantage with a neoprene suit is the fact that it's strechy. This means it's more forgiving of fit, and fit seems to be the most important quality of a drysuit. Here in the PNW almost everybody I dive with uses a neoprene suit; I don't know if it's because of the water temps, the conditions, or just plain dogma. People here swear by High Tide Drysuits, I believe they have a lifetime warranty on all seams.
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