Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Alekseolsen]

I've had my Nova since 2020 and dive with it quite a lot (around 150 dives a year, not including holidays). Mainly in lakes, but also caves, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and a lot of training.

I ordered the Tech Boots and they leaked completely after two years. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. At first I tried to seal the holes with glue, but in the end I had them replaced by a workshop with neoprene socks. I'm happy with that. But a few weeks ago I had wet pants, which isn't great at 5 degrees. I was still thinking, "It's probably user error. I twisted my neck funny and then water got in." Then it was two weekends of training with eight dives and the undergarments were slightly damp after the dives, but nothing serious. Now yesterday I was diving a bit deeper again and at 45 metres I felt the dampness in my crotch, then I still had 55 minutes to the surface, which wasn't great either. At home I inflated the suit and checked for holes with soapy water. I found two small holes on the seam at the back. The seams on the inside still look great, the glue and the seam tapes are still holding well.

As I said, the suit is 4 years old and probably has less than 500 dives. When the suit starts to disintegrate, I can either start chasing the small holes again and again or look for a new suit.
So far I've actually been satisfied, but in my eyes a suit should last longer.
View attachment 832136

As much as I agree fully, I had that with my One Endurance on pretty much every seam way before 400 dives

 

[Boarderguy]

Which neck seal do you recommend?

Sitech quick neck

 

[Boarderguy]

I've had my Nova since 2020 and dive with it quite a lot (around 150 dives a year, not including holidays). Mainly in lakes, but also caves, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and a lot of training.

I ordered the Tech Boots and they leaked completely after two years. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. At first I tried to seal the holes with glue, but in the end I had them replaced by a workshop with neoprene socks. I'm happy with that. But a few weeks ago I had wet pants, which isn't great at 5 degrees. I was still thinking, "It's probably user error. I twisted my neck funny and then water got in." Then it was two weekends of training with eight dives and the undergarments were slightly damp after the dives, but nothing serious. Now yesterday I was diving a bit deeper again and at 45 metres I felt the dampness in my crotch, then I still had 55 minutes to the surface, which wasn't great either. At home I inflated the suit and checked for holes with soapy water. I found two small holes on the seam at the back. The seams on the inside still look great, the glue and the seam tapes are still holding well.

As I said, the suit is 4 years old and probably has less than 500 dives. When the suit starts to disintegrate, I can either start chasing the small holes again and again or look for a new suit.
So far I've actually been satisfied, but in my eyes a suit should last longer.
View attachment 832136

So a suit that cost about $1k in 2020 made it 500-600 dives (150x4). That's well under $5 per dive for the suit and very much a win. Could you honestly say that a $3-4k DUI, Santi, Bare, Otter, or whatnot would make it 1500-2000 dives before needing to chase small holes and get the same return on investment? Attached boots are always a terrible thing imo.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I went with sitech because I will lose and break the damn things. I don't notice mine at all above or below the water. I'm pretty average shoulder as well.

I have read this over and over but has anyone actually lost a bunch or is it just a perception of what would happen? I have yet to read real world experience of this happening.

To top it off, silicone seals breaking are pretty rare. I mean I always have a spare ready but how often do they fail? Every 2-3 years if you're careful?

FWIW, I also went with quick neck and have zero complaints in the 18 months I've had it. I'm broad shouldered though.

 

[Litefoot]

Changing the subject a bit, but I have stretched out my way-too-small Seaskin short neck hood into a good fit. I stuffed an under-inflated basketball in the hood for a week and then pulled the neck over an HP100 for another week. Feels pretty decent now. Will the neoprene shrink back down after I dive it or do you think it will stay where it is?

 

[Boarderguy]

I have read this over and over but has anyone actually lost a bunch or is it just a perception of what would happen? I have yet to read real world experience of this happening.

My buddy had the orust clips for his dry glove system. They were broken or lost within a few months and he was diving with 2 or 3 of the 5 each wrist "required". At a few $ each he just hadn't gotten enough spares initially. I think he went with a different system recently so it's not an issue any more.

Cold water = stress to plastics

 

[JoeTPhilly]

I have read this over and over but has anyone actually lost a bunch or is it just a perception of what would happen? I have yet to read real world experience of this happening.

To top it off, silicone seals breaking are pretty rare. I mean I always have a spare ready but how often do they fail? Every 2-3 years if you're careful?

FWIW, I also went with quick neck and have zero complaints in the 18 months I've had it. I'm broad shouldered though.

I also went with the Quick Neck but since I am short and reading what Santi did with their suits I had mine made with the zipper on the other side (left handed zipper).

 

[sinidive]

Wondering about ordering a Nova Drysuit, bolded options I am unsure about.

Rough info:
- Typically diving in a hogarthian setup
- Water temperature varies from warm to freezing, tolerate cold quite well
- 167cm / 5'6" height, 65kg / 140lbs, wide hips, narrow waist, some chest, athletic.
- Shoulder width (biacromial) ~40cm / 16"

Questions:
- Fully telescopic torso? I am flexible so getting into out of suits has never been an issue, but what is the best while diving?
- Elasticated Back Panel? Does it make the suit fit better?
- Quick Neck system with Silflex seal or Orust? I know Quick Neck is better, but will it be a pain with my shoulders?
- Neo Kubi Ring Covers? Are these good / just extra in the way. Usually wearing thin gloves.
- Warm Neck Simple? Usually wearing a hood (long hair...)
- Pee-valve - which? She-P, low profile and easy blanking plug?

Spoiler: Complete config

*** Boot and sock options
- Feet: compressed neoprene socks (+ rock boots)
*** Nova comfort & customisation
- YES Change Mat Drysuit Bag Upgrade
- NO Name Badge (extra bulk...)
- YES Increase Braces width to 40mm
- YES NO Logos on Suit
- ??? Elasticated Back Panel
- NO NO Reflective Tape on Arms
- NO Bag Option – Name Badge Change Mat Drysuit Bag
- NO Glow patches
- NO Reflective Tape Kit
- NO Ankle Weights for Nova Suits
*** Nova Pockets and Attachment Points
- NO Computer Strap Patches x2
- NO Bellows Pocket
- YES Expedition Pocket
- YES Second Expedition Pocket
- NO Large Bellows Pocket
- NO Second Bellows Pocket
- NO Second Large Bellows Pocket
- NO Computer Strap Patches x2 (Second set)
- NO Seaskin-Braces Pocket for 40mm elastic
- NO Large Zipped Pocket
- NO Seaskin-Braces Pocket for 25mm elastic
- NO “Universal” Knife attachment patch
- NO Second Large Zipped Pocket
- NO Flat Pocket
- NO Safe Fast Cut Sewn on to Seaskin Drysuit
- NO Second Flat Pocket
- NO Second Knife attachment patch
*** Nova Protection Options
- NO Kevlar Knee Pads
- NO PU Shoulder Reinforcement
- NO PU Crutch Reinforcement
- NO PU Elbow Pads
- NO PU Bum Pads
- NO PU Back Pad
*** Nova Seal, Neck and Wrist Options
- YES Quick Neck system with Silflex seal
- NO Warm Neck standard
- NO SiTech Oval Cuff Rings (Siflex seals)
- YES Supplement for Siflex (Silicon) seals with Sitech/Kubi Docking systems
- YES Kubi Fitted Dry Cuff System
- YES Warm Neck Simple
- NO SiTech Docking System 60910 fitted
- NO 3mm Neoprene Neck Seal
- NO HD Latex Wrist Seals
- NO HD Latex Neck Seal
- NO Orust system with Silflex seal
- NO Swap from Bottle to Cone Wrist seals
- NO SiTech SLAGGO Flex Rings
- NO Neoprene OVER cuffs hook and loop adjustable
- NO 3mm Neoprene Wrist Seals
- NO Neoprene over cuffs
- NO Attached Hood (vented)
- NO Manchette Wrist seals
- ??? Neo Kubi Ring Covers
*** Nova Style and Cut
- ??? Fully Telescopic Torso
- NO Allowance for extra thick undersuits
- NO Main Body Zip Set Up for Left Handers
- NO Back Entry Zip
*** Nova Valve Options
- YES Inflation Valve Comfort Patch
- YES Move Dump (DIR)
- YES SITech Valve System (including hose)
- NO Swap to Miflex LP Hose
- NO Increase the Length of the LP Hose
- NO Cuff dump in Addition to shoulder dump
- NO Old-style High Profile Apeks Dump Valve
- NO Swap Stardard Seatec Nipple for a CENJ
- NO SI TECH VEGA Inflation Valve
- NO Cuff Dump instead of Auto Adjustable
- NO Move Adjustable Dump to wrist (Rebreather)
*** Nova Zip and Pee Valve
- YES Main Body Dry Zip Cover
- YES YKK Plastic Dry Zip fitted into membrane drysuit
- XXX Left handed (Right shoulder to left hip) zipper
- ??? Pee Valve Hose Tidy
- ??? Light Monkey “Tinkle” Balanced P-Valve Fitted to Seaskin Drysuit
- ??? Fitted SiTech Trigon Pee Valve
- NO Convenience dryzip cover
- ??? Fitted Apeks Pee Valve
- NO Convenience Zip (medium weight)
- NO Convenience Zip YKK Plastic fitted into membrane drysuit
- ??? Light Monkey Non Balanced P-Valve Fitted to Seaskin Drysuit

 

[Boarderguy]

Fully telescopic torso? I am flexible so getting into out of suits has never been an issue, but what is the best while diving?
- Elasticated Back Panel? Does it make the suit fit better?
- Quick Neck system with Silflex seal or Orust? I know Quick Neck is better, but will it be a pain with my shoulders?
- Neo Kubi Ring Covers? Are these good / just extra in the way. Usually wearing thin gloves.
- Warm Neck Simple? Usually wearing a hood (long hair...)
- Pee-valve - which? She-P, low profile and easy blanking plug?

Telescopic - yes, worth getting it. Gives you that a bit more room to shift into the not stretchy plastic bag
Elastic - for curvy ladies that have a large difference between bust and waist is I remember correctly
Neck seal - sitech imo, orust is a bit narrower and more flexible. See if anyone around you has either one in their suit and try it on.
Kubi covers - I have them and would order them again. They prevent me from banging around the AL wrist when it's off. If you don't like it you can just leave them rolled up the sleeve.
Warm neck - standard works well and is easy to tuck my bib in. Simple might be a bit more challenge to do so? I do this before putting gloves or kit on.
Pee valve - trigon, no plug needed. Just use a dry break quick disconnect and never worry about it

*** Boot and sock options
- Feet: compressed neoprene socks (+ rock boots)
*** Nova comfort & customisation
- YES Change Mat Drysuit Bag Upgrade
- NO Name Badge (extra bulk...)
- YES Increase Braces width to 40mm
- YES NO Logos on Suit
- ??? Elasticated Back Panel
- NO NO Reflective Tape on Arms
- NO Bag Option – Name Badge Change Mat Drysuit Bag
- NO Glow patches
- NO Reflective Tape Kit
- NO Ankle Weights for Nova Suits
*** Nova Pockets and Attachment Points
- NO Computer Strap Patches x2
- NO Bellows Pocket
- YES Expedition Pocket
- YES Second Expedition Pocket
- NO Large Bellows Pocket
- NO Second Bellows Pocket
- NO Second Large Bellows Pocket
- NO Computer Strap Patches x2 (Second set)
- NO Seaskin-Braces Pocket for 40mm elastic
- NO Large Zipped Pocket
- NO Seaskin-Braces Pocket for 25mm elastic
- NO “Universal” Knife attachment patch
- NO Second Large Zipped Pocket
- NO Flat Pocket
- NO Safe Fast Cut Sewn on to Seaskin Drysuit
- NO Second Flat Pocket
- NO Second Knife attachment patch
*** Nova Protection Options
- NO Kevlar Knee Pads
- NO PU Shoulder Reinforcement
- NO PU Crutch Reinforcement
- NO PU Elbow Pads
- NO PU Bum Pads
- NO PU Back Pad
*** Nova Seal, Neck and Wrist Options
- YES Quick Neck system with Silflex seal
- NO Warm Neck standard
- NO SiTech Oval Cuff Rings (Siflex seals)
- YES Supplement for Siflex (Silicon) seals with Sitech/Kubi Docking systems
- YES Kubi Fitted Dry Cuff System
- YES Warm Neck Simple
- NO SiTech Docking System 60910 fitted
- NO 3mm Neoprene Neck Seal
- NO HD Latex Wrist Seals
- NO HD Latex Neck Seal
- NO Orust system with Silflex seal
- NO Swap from Bottle to Cone Wrist seals
- NO SiTech SLAGGO Flex Rings
- NO Neoprene OVER cuffs hook and loop adjustable
- NO 3mm Neoprene Wrist Seals
- NO Neoprene over cuffs
- NO Attached Hood (vented)
- NO Manchette Wrist seals
- ??? Neo Kubi Ring Covers
*** Nova Style and Cut
- ??? Fully Telescopic Torso
- NO Allowance for extra thick undersuits
- NO Main Body Zip Set Up for Left Handers
- NO Back Entry Zip
*** Nova Valve Options
- YES Inflation Valve Comfort Patch
- YES Move Dump (DIR)
- YES SITech Valve System (including hose)
- NO Swap to Miflex LP Hose
- NO Increase the Length of the LP Hose
- NO Cuff dump in Addition to shoulder dump
- NO Old-style High Profile Apeks Dump Valve
- NO Swap Stardard Seatec Nipple for a CENJ
- NO SI TECH VEGA Inflation Valve
- NO Cuff Dump instead of Auto Adjustable
- NO Move Adjustable Dump to wrist (Rebreather)
*** Nova Zip and Pee Valve
- YES Main Body Dry Zip Cover
- YES YKK Plastic Dry Zip fitted into membrane drysuit
- XXX Left handed (Right shoulder to left hip) zipper
- ??? Pee Valve Hose Tidy
- ??? Light Monkey “Tinkle” Balanced P-Valve Fitted to Seaskin Drysuit
- ??? Fitted SiTech Trigon Pee Valve
- NO Convenience dryzip cover
- ??? Fitted Apeks Pee Valve
- NO Convenience Zip (medium weight)
- NO Convenience Zip YKK Plastic fitted into membrane drysuit
- ??? Light Monkey Non Balanced P-Valve Fitted to Seaskin Drysuit

Brilliant suit build though I would add knee reinforcing. I took a nasty trip 2 weeks ago and went knee first into a barnacle covered rock. I subsequently slid down that same rock and there was no damage to the suit.

 

[JoeTPhilly]

Wondering about ordering a Nova Drysuit, bolded options I am unsure about.

Rough info:
- Typically diving in a hogarthian setup
- Water temperature varies from warm to freezing, tolerate cold quite well
- 167cm / 5'6" height, 65kg / 140lbs, wide hips, narrow waist, some chest, athletic.
- Shoulder width (biacromial) ~40cm / 16"

Questions:
- Fully telescopic torso? I am flexible so getting into out of suits has never been an issue, but what is the best while diving?
- Elasticated Back Panel? Does it make the suit fit better?
- Quick Neck system with Silflex seal or Orust? I know Quick Neck is better, but will it be a pain with my shoulders?
- Neo Kubi Ring Covers? Are these good / just extra in the way. Usually wearing thin gloves.
- Warm Neck Simple? Usually wearing a hood (long hair...)
- Pee-valve - which? She-P, low profile and easy blanking plug?

Get the fully telescopic torso. They should make that the default.
I think the elasticated back panel would fit a female shape better.
Quick Neck; I think your shoulders aren't wide enough.
P-valve- I believe She-P is the only system available for females. The actual valve is up to you.

Edit. I think the recommended shoulder width for the Quick Neck is above 43cm.