newdiver-toronto:
Hi there, is it possible to get a women's plus-size drysuit (3-4XL)? Can I get one altered or custom-made? A used one? I'm new to diving and when I saw drysuits can cost $2,000 I almost swallowed my tongue...
Most women's drysuits only come to a relatively small stock size of XL. DUI has a women's XXL - you'd have to check their measurements to see if it would fit you - or better yet, if you're anywhere near one of their DUI Dog Days events or one of the dive shows, you can try one on and see if it fits while getting advice from one of the staff (Faith from DUI is usually there and is a larger woman herself - as a larger woman myself, I felt very comfortable getting advice regarding fit from her). You can try checking out their website at
www.dui-online.com to see their sizing.
That said, when I went and tried on a stock XXL, I found that it was just a *smidge* too snug in the hips and too roomy across the upper arms and chest for me. While I might have gotten away with it, I really just didn't feel comfortable in it and while that meant spending more $$ for a custom suit (known as either a Special Production, which is custom without a hood or pockets or Signature Series which comes as a package with a hood, knee pads and your choice of 2 pockets), I'm *really* glad that I did. The difference in fit that I felt when I first tried on the suit was dramatic - and I'm certain that I wouldn't be nearly as comfortable with my dives if I'd gone with the stock suit because it wouldn't have fit me as well.
Now. All that said....while I'm absolutely *thrilled* with my new drysuit, I dove for 2 years wet (in New England) before I bought it. I logged about 150 wet dives, most of which were in cold water, before I ever went dry. Granted, you're in Toronto, so your water is, I'm sure, that much colder, which might make your diving season shorter. My personal comfort level in my 7mm farmer jane was 50 degrees - below that, I would start getting cold on a 45 minute dive - but at 50 or higher, I was fine. Of course, your comfort level may be more or less - that's always highly individual.
Anyway - forgive me for the novel, but the upshot of my experience is that it's very likely that you're going to have to go custom if you're going to go dry, which is going to cost $$$. However, on the pro side, the dry suit will last a loooong time with proper care, extend your dive season and provide you with more comfort and extend your bottom times because you're not cold. However, it's not necessary that you buy one immediately - it's possible to hold off for a while to save up for one. You probably just won't be diving as much while you do.
Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide to do....
