Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[stuartv]

A minor point, but let's remember that you are not ordering a certain size boot. You are telling them your normal shoe size. They know what size boot (or sock) to put on, based on what size shoe you normally wear.

 

[ferdv]

A minor point, but let's remember that you are not ordering a certain size boot. You are telling them your normal shoe size. They know what size boot (or sock) to put on, based on what size shoe you normally wear.

In theory. I did just that and ended up with a boot that is too tight, especially when used with a thick wool sock. I hope they'll stretch a little bit after a few more dives.

 

[Rayk]

Quick question for the people those didn't opt extra allowance for thicker undergarments.

Can you wear 400 gr undergarments inside your nova?

 

[Addison Snyder]

In theory. I did just that and ended up with a boot that is too tight, especially when used with a thick wool sock. I hope they'll stretch a little bit after a few more dives.

I'm not an expert in this stuff, but that's one of two reasons why I don't like the prospect of integrated boots. Neoprene socks are much more flexible, whether wearing one or three sets of wool socks. Secondly, all the rubber boots seem to have weak points where they connect to the underlying neoprene (particularly the top-facing L of the foot). Enough repeated stretch and wear and you'll have to really finagle a fix or replace the entire boot. Neoprene socks are dead simple to fix, and you can just wear regular wet boots over em. Loads of flexibility.
Not to mention less need for gaiters.

 

[Addison Snyder]

Just be careful when using silicone anywhere on a drysuit, wherever it touches will not be able to be glued/repaired in future since no adhesives will stick to it. Not a big deal generally but worth keeping in mind when you look at likely repair areas (end of zips where a possible replacement zip may need to be glued one day)

Is the TiZip stuff just regular ol' silicone grease? How safe is that with the rubber around a brass zipper? Got the heavy duty zipper (and regret it), so zipping/unzipping takes a lot of muscle. I've been using beeswax without improvement. Any chemists out there, how absolutely stupid would it be to use some braking silicone grease on my zipper?

 

[BlueTrin]

Is the TiZip stuff just regular ol' silicone grease? How safe is that with the rubber around a brass zipper? Got the heavy duty zipper (and regret it), so zipping/unzipping takes a lot of muscle. I've been using beeswax without improvement. Any chemists out there, how absolutely stupid would it be to use some braking silicone grease on my zipper?

I don’t know if this is true but I found this thread:

silicone and drysuit zippers

in drysuit class i learned not to use anything but paraffin or beeswax for the drysuit zipper and stay away from silicone. several drysuit manuals i have seen state the same. consequently, one would think that it should be real easy to get the appropriate lubricant anywhere where drysuits are...

scubaboard.com

I read that the TiZip lubricant is silicone so I don’t understand why it wouldn’t have the issues in the thread above though.

 

[Chris H]

Quick question for the people those didn't opt extra allowance for thicker undergarments.

Can you wear 400 gr undergarments inside your nova?

I would say not a chance. I ordered my Nova with the extra space. I just got Santi BZ400X undergarments. I can pack myself in the suit, but I'm not sure I could without the extra space. YMMV.

 

[Rayk]

I would say not a chance. I ordered my Nova with the extra space. I just got Santi BZ400X undergarments. I can pack myself in the suit, but I'm not sure I could without the extra space. YMMV.

That helped a lot. Thanks.

 

[Ulfhedinn]

It seems to fit VERY well. FYI I have no undergarments on, just my undies so it may look a bit baggy, but it’s not. Did the measurements with my wife’s help. Taking our Drysuit course soon so I’ll give an update after that. Happy so far.

Any issues with shipping? I see some people got a big bill later? What did you do?

 

[Chris H]

Any issues with shipping? I see some people got a big bill later? What did you do?

I paid $53 Customs fees directly to Fed Ex, in addition to whatever the actual shipping was. There were no hidden fees.