Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[vladodessit]

 

[JohnnyC]

Your picture isn't showing up @vladodessit

If the rings are too far forward they interfere with using your hands. Better to have the rings back a little as opposed to the converse. As long as they're not pulling the seals up your arms.

 

[taimen]

Somewhat inspired by this thread, I ordered a Seaskin Nova a couple of months ago and received it today...

First impressions. The fit is quite snug. I didn't get the extra allowance for thick underwear, although I plan using a BZ400x. Remains to be seen how that works out. This is either too small or the perfect cave cut. Lengthwise this seems perfect, and will definitely be a good fit with thinner undergarments. I have basic latex wrist seals and the sleeve length feels perfect.
I got the TLS torso option, and the telescoping part is much shorter than in my Santi, but long enough for donning. DIR valve placement is quite far down, close to elbow. Overall, the build quality seems fairly good.

 

[vladodessit]

DIR valve placement is quite far down, close to elbow. Overall, the build quality seems fairly good.

I found it PERFECT. I also got high profile valve and dumping is so easy. Just drop fins and raise your elbow-done. Can do it with primary light still pointing wherever it was pointing. no drama, no gymnastics. The best placement on the suit I've ever tried.

 

[stuartv]

Somewhat inspired by this thread, I ordered a Seaskin Nova a couple of months ago and received it today...

First impressions. The fit is quite snug. I didn't get the extra allowance for thick underwear, although I plan using a BZ400x. Remains to be seen how that works out. This is either too small or the perfect cave cut. Lengthwise this seems perfect, and will definitely be a good fit with thinner undergarments. I have basic latex wrist seals and the sleeve length feels perfect.
I got the TLS torso option, and the telescoping part is much shorter than in my Santi, but long enough for donning. DIR valve placement is quite far down, close to elbow. Overall, the build quality seems fairly good.

Good deal that the sizing and quality seem good. Bummer that it's too snug for the BZ400. But, the option for extra allowance does specifically say that it is for people who plan to use 400 gsm undersuits. I did not tick the box and mine is totally wearable with my Seaskin 250gsm undersuit. But, were I to order another, I might tick that box to allow extra clearance anyway. Or maybe I have just gotten fatter since I took the measurements for mine (which was over a year ago).

 

[taimen]

I found it PERFECT. I also got high profile valve and dumping is so easy. Just drop fins and raise your elbow-done.

I am familiar with this. The placement is very close to Santi's, maybe a bit more distal. I am sure it works very well.

 

[taimen]

Good deal that the sizing and quality seem good. Bummer that it's too snug for the BZ400. But, the option for extra allowance does specifically say that it is for people who plan to use 400 gsm undersuits.

This remains to be seen, and a report will follow
I have buddies with Seaskins (ordered a few years ago when the TLS option was not yet available) and they recommended NOT choosing the extra-allowance. We dive extreme+ and bz400x all the time. A few people have gotten really baggy suits with that option, and others are happy with the regular cut and cold water garments. I won't judge before I have donned the suit, carefully talced, with my kit and dived it. It is possible that Seaskin has changed their cut, because drysuit fashion is moving towards tighter cuts all the time.

 

[Efka76]

Good deal that the sizing and quality seem good. Bummer that it's too snug for the BZ400. But, the option for extra allowance does specifically say that it is for people who plan to use 400 gsm undersuits. I did not tick the box and mine is totally wearable with my Seaskin 250gsm undersuit. But, were I to order another, I might tick that box to allow extra clearance anyway. Or maybe I have just gotten fatter since I took the measurements for mine (which was over a year ago).

I am currently waiting my Seaskin Nova drysuit to arrive. I also ordered Sesking Thinsulate 250 undergarmets. Can you tell me in what lowest temperature you were still comfortably diving with these undergarments? I am planning to dive with Seaskin base layer + Thinsulate 250 in +5-14C temperature.

 

[Peter Slater]

I am currently waiting my Seaskin Nova drysuit to arrive. I also ordered Sesking Thinsulate 250 undergarmets. Can you tell me in what lowest temperature you were still comfortably diving with these undergarments? I am planning to dive with Seaskin base layer + Thinsulate 250 in +5-14C temperature.

I have that same configuration and dive it regularly down to the low 40s (5c) and even ice diving. In that cold of water it is usually my hands or head that quits first but with drygloves and a dry hood I have fixed that!

I have started diving the waterproof meshtec system and found it is about the same. It is also much more comfortable to wear topside so it might be my main undergarments going forward.

 

[taimen]

Can you tell me in what lowest temperature you were still comfortably diving with these undergarments? I am planning to dive with Seaskin base layer + Thinsulate 250 in +5-14C temperature.

There are too many variables. For one 1 hr dive per day in +5C water it will be fine (with a thick hood and adequate gloves). For repeated diving with damp undergarments in cold water you may want to get something thicker. Also high surface temperatures or steep thermoclines make you sweat your undergarments damp before you even reach the cold water. A good wicking layer can be equal to 200 grams of thinsulate.