Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[JoeTPhilly]

I called UPS and got the Customs Declaration to see how I was charged. I only ordered the suit and an extra neck and wrist seals. I was charged 4% on the items and a flat brokerage fee of $12.00. A couple of things to consider; the exchange rate today is a bit worse than 3 months ago so that is going to affect the amount. Also, I would bet the broker has some sort of graduated schedule and you probably crept into a higher bracket or something.

Here is what I was told to do in chat with UPS:

Call UPS US brokerage billing department 1-866-493-7140 option # 5 Monday to Friday:8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET

 

[admikar]

Using your estimated fee rates, the total should come to 106GBP or $134USD, so another $44US lost somewhere. $178 isn't the end of the world, just like to know where/why my money is being vaporized. Thanks for the responses.

Duty tax is completely separate from VAT tax. It might be different in old USofA, but in most of the world final tax goes on top of goods+shipping+duty. Plus broker's fee. That might be your 44 bucks.

 

[Boarderguy]

Question for you, is it normal on one of my kubi ring the metal kubi ring on one gloves is loose I attached a picture of what’s loose, all prong are in place is it ok? Or no they’re both assembled the same way!

That ring holds the glove o-ring in place I believe. Press it towards to the glove and it should snug down. Press it towards to the wrist and its should pop off to expose the o-ring and folded over glove. If it's "loose" that may mean it is just not seated fully.

 

[MaxAir]

My initial take on the delivered items...

Thermal garments 100 (almost lycra underwear), 150, 250 fit great, trim, leaves no extra bagginess. Sized per my suit measurements provided to Seaskin.

Nova suit:

For the test fit shown below I donned only the 150 thermals plus layered up my feet as per how I'll likely dive - thin wool socks, 4th Element Arctic socks, the suit with neo socks, and finally rock boots.

It was very snug getting into the suit, and I feel it could have used 1-2" more material width on torso and 1" more width per each leg. That's with the 150 thermals. I'm not certain the 250 would work at all given how snug the suit felt. Photos below appear to show enough extra room, but that's not how it all felt.

Maybe I just need to adapt to the crisp new stuff... my recent dives have been in a much heavier Waterproof D7x Nylotech size ML, which fits pretty good with medium under layers. For this Nova... I might need to shed some body weight. On that note, the Nova is far lighter than the D7x (10 layer butyl) excluding the attached boots, but the Nova fabric feels sturdy in its crisp newness.

Ouch, do not like the pointy toe pocket on these Seaskin suit socks. IMO it makes a lot more sense to just have a rounded toe pocket, especially when our insulation layers provide bulk and less need for a dress-shoe style pointy toe area. Quite surprised by their design decision on what should be a simple no brainer.

 

[Boarderguy]

My initial take on the delivered items...

Thermal garments 100 (almost lycra underwear), 150, 250 fit great, trim, leaves no extra bagginess. Sized per my suit measurements provided to Seaskin.

Nova suit:

For the test fit shown below I donned only the 150 thermals plus layered up my feet as per how I'll likely dive - thin wool socks, 4th Element Arctic socks, the suit with neo socks, and finally rock boots.

It was very snug getting into the suit, and I feel it could have used 1-2" more material width on torso and 1" more width per each leg. That's with the 150 thermals. I'm not certain the 250 would work at all given how snug the suit felt. Photos below appear to show enough extra room, but that's not how it all felt.

Maybe I just need to adapt to the crisp new stuff... my recent dives have been in a well used, heavy Waterproof D7x Cordura size ML, which actually fits pretty good with thermals and all. For this Nova... I might need to shed some body weight. On that note about weight, the Nova seems far lighter than the D7x, but the fabric (trilam) feels nicely sturdy.

Brilliant looking suit! It does look a bit snug on the gut there, but that could be a health blessing in disguise lol. The suits do have a bit of a break in period where they loosen up and fit a bit nicer.

 

[Litefoot]

Did my first “dive” in my Seaskin today, although it was far from whatever I imagined. The local municipal water service owns a spring up the canyon from where I live and they needed two divers to fix an outlet gate. Me and my dive buddy are now the only two divers with dry suits in town. I wore my 150g under suit in 40 degree water for two 30 min dives. It was cool watching the sand “boil’” at the bottom of the spring as the water entered. Owing to the short duration of each dive, I was chilly, but not cold.

About the suit: I managed to tear a wrist seal on my very first dive. Luckily, I had the Rolocks so no big deal. The neck seal was a bit too tight. I’ll go again before I decide to trim it. Even though I siliconed the mating surfaces of the Rolocks, they were tight and I needed help getting them locked in. That’s probably my stiff fingers and bad technique. It will get better. Good news is that I stayed perfectly dry and I’m stoked for more!

 

[MaxAir]

About the suit: I managed to tear a wrist seal on my very first dive. Luckily, I had the Rolocks so no big deal. The neck seal was a bit too tight. I’ll go again before I decide to trim it. Even though I siliconed the mating surfaces of the Rolocks, they were tight and I needed help getting them locked in. That’s probably my stiff fingers and bad technique. It will get better. Good news is that I stayed perfectly dry and I’m stoked for more!

Seaskin didn't notify me of their out of stock situation for the Rolock 90 kit until the day they shipped the suit. Found and ordered the kit at DGX, albeit a little over $200 :/ Should be here by Monday and then install. I've been diving a loaner suit lately with Ultimas installed. Initially they were impossible to take off without the plastic tire lever accessory thing to pry them from the suit... the owner hadn't greased them - ever. A tiny amount of silicone grease solved that quickly and I can now pry off the Ultimas without the tool. Hoping the Rolock perform as expected.

 

[Litefoot]

Seaskin didn't notify me of their out of stock situation for the Rolock 90 kit until the day they shipped the suit. Found and ordered the kit at DGX, albeit a little over $200 :/ Should be here by Monday and then install. I've been diving a loaner suit lately with Ultimas installed. Initially they were impossible to take off without the plastic tire lever accessory thing to pry them from the suit... the owner hadn't greased them - ever. A tiny amount of silicone grease solved that quickly and I can now pry off the Ultimas without the tool. Hoping the Rolock perform as expected.

My experience with the Rolocks was exactly as you describe. If you read back a bit in this thread, they haven’t had them in stock at least since Q3 of 2023. I wish they would update the status. Ultimately, the dry suit is the most important thing and they seem to be nailing that one.

 

[admikar]

This Rolock situation is why I like QCS rings. If Rolock goes down I have options. With Kubi, if SHTF, you're SOOL.

 

[Boarderguy]

This Rolock situation is why I like QCS rings. If Rolock goes down I have options. With Kubi, if SHTF, you're SOOL.

You have the same options with 3D printing a glove side and it's even simpler. Print a round ring, no flex or perfect oval needed.