Newby Question Regarding Dry Suits.

[JDubya]

I am looking at two second hand dry suits.

Bare Tri-Lam 8 years old ($250) and a Brooks neoprene ($150) 20 year old suit. Both seemed to be priced failrly.

$250 · bare tri lam drysuit

dry suit

I will be checking them out in the next day. Any recommendations? Things to check for as I am a newbie to dry suits but want to pick one up for some good ol' cold water diving locally.

Appreciate any pointers.
JDubya

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'd be leery of both of them. No one sells a "like new" 1800 dollar suit for 250 bucks. It could need all new seals. If they have been cut it will. Figure 300 plus for that. If the zipper is bad 400 or more. Do you know how to leak test it? Could be a seam bad somewhere. There is also the issue of fit. Are the boots the right size? If not up to a couple hundred to replace those.
The other suit looks like a commercial suit. If all the valves are on the front as the photo seems to show, you won't be able to vent in a horizontal position unless you roll over on your back. It may also have issues that will need repair. It is possible to get a good used suit. I'd want to be able to try them on, insure the seals are ok, and have it leak tested.

 

[JDubya]

thank you Jim .. I certainly appreciate your advise. I may just end up saving for a new light weight version. I was looking at some Aqualung drysuits today that seemed quite nice for around 1K.

 

[KevinNM]

The people I know who have fusions are generally happy with them. But they go on differently than other dry suits, more like a wet suit (not that they leak, but how you pull it on and off).

 

[JDubya]

Appreciate the input.

Decided to raise my budget and look at a fusion this evening. Unfortunately I tend to lean more towards the XL-XXL in sizing for most things. Oh well, see how it goes!

$600 · LXL fusion bullet SLT ..two dives only

Thanks again

 

[TravisD]

I did the fusion specifically because I'm a "hard to fit" size/shape (i.e. Fat). I'd be going Custom in most any other suit. I figured this way if I didn't like diving dry I'd stand a better chance to resell it. The fusion is pretty forgiving on girth. Just make sure that you're a good fit for the height. I'm 6'0" and almost 300#, and I'm in a 4xl fusion, but I've tried on the 3xl and it fit pretty much the same.

If you can try it on, make sure you account for the thickest undergarments you expect to ever use. For me, the tight part is around the calves when I'm wearing the thick (Thermal Fusion) undies. Go watch the YouTube videos that are out there on how to don the Fusion so you're not fighting it when you try it on.

 

[JDubya]

Cheers ... I will definitely check out Youtube. i am a bit rotund @ 5'11" 225lbs so it sounds right for me.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Like Jim said above, used drysuits are a bit of a crapshoot as the condition is often subjective from the viewpoint of someone looking to unload it. You should do a full leak test, check the condition of seals, zipper, and seams, as well as try the suit on with the thickest undergarments that you plan on wearing. If there's a dive shop near you with a repair facility have the seller meet you there and throw their drysuit repair guy a few bucks to inspect the suit for you.

 

[Octopusprime]

I bought a used fusion bullet from DRIS. It was tested and I great condition. Saved me $800 and since it is a bullet if the little wear on the knees bothers me I can get new skin. I loved mine so much my dive buddy bought one... Not sure if they have more but the bullet is the way to go

 

[JDubya]

The Fusion was way too small. However I finally found a used suit that fit me and it wasn't a drysuit.

I ended up getting what I think was a deal for $595.00 CDN. That been said, I have been wrong before.

$595 · Diving equipment

TommyD 7mm wetsuit with gloves and hood
Mares BCD limited edition / metal (w/30 lbs weight)
Aluminum S80 tank - tested until Aug. 2017
Mares EN 250 232bar v32 Proton Ice regs
Mares rgbm airlab computer console
Oceanic mask and Decor Alpha fins
ankle weights

Probably get the local dive shop to take a look at the gear before using it eh.

I am hopeful it is a good place to start again.