I am inching toward replacing my Whites Fusion suit with a different model (for a lot of reasons which are well documented elsewhere on this board). For the purposes of this discussion, let's not assume that cost is a primary factor, but should be in there someplace. I had the Fusion for about 300 dives over three years - there's nothing "wrong" with the suit, it's just not a good match for me and the diving that I do.
I dive 100-200 dives/year of which about half are dry. I typically wear fleece undergarments in water into the high 40s comfortably so I don't need to accommodate a huge amount of bulk, but let's pretend for a minute that maybe someday I will. I routinely dive wrecks and am starting to dive more in caves and durability is a concern for me. I'm 6'1", 210lbs and generally seem to be standard enough that most things seem to just fit off the rack.
Of concern for me (in no particular order) are:
- Flexibility
- Durability
- Speed of drying
- Ease of travel
I've looked pretty seriously at several of the Santi and DUI models, but I'm also interested in peoples' experience in some of the other brands like Bare or newcomers like Hollis; though I'm hesitant with the latter as I jumped on the bandwagon with the 'newest fad' with the Fusion and was thoroughly bitten.
Ultimately, I'd like to make a significant investment such that I won't have to do this again for the better part of another decade.
Thanks in advance to your collective wisdom and feedback.
I dive 100-200 dives/year of which about half are dry. I typically wear fleece undergarments in water into the high 40s comfortably so I don't need to accommodate a huge amount of bulk, but let's pretend for a minute that maybe someday I will. I routinely dive wrecks and am starting to dive more in caves and durability is a concern for me. I'm 6'1", 210lbs and generally seem to be standard enough that most things seem to just fit off the rack.
Of concern for me (in no particular order) are:
- Flexibility
- Durability
- Speed of drying
- Ease of travel
I've looked pretty seriously at several of the Santi and DUI models, but I'm also interested in peoples' experience in some of the other brands like Bare or newcomers like Hollis; though I'm hesitant with the latter as I jumped on the bandwagon with the 'newest fad' with the Fusion and was thoroughly bitten.
Ultimately, I'd like to make a significant investment such that I won't have to do this again for the better part of another decade.
Thanks in advance to your collective wisdom and feedback.
