Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Badger7]

Its not just you. After talcing the suit and practing donning multiple times, I'm able to easily slip right in wearing waterproof meshtech undergarments, which are a little bit thinner than other options. Just going up to 4e Arctics which are a little bit more lofty there is noticeably more work to get my right arm down and into the sleeve without stressing the zipper. I'm carrying enough BMI right now that dropping my caloric intake for a week or two would easily allow for thicker undergarments. I'm sure right now if I tried to stuff a 250gm or 400gm thinsulate suit in there with me I'd be in for some serious embarrassment. Thankfully, I'm finding (for me) that 40F dives for 45-50 minutes are perfectly comfortable with just the seaskin tech base layer, meshtec undergarments, and xerotherm glove liners. Pizza and beer are still on the menu this summer.

 

[lexvil]

Pretty sad when you young wiper snappers can’t dress yourselves, im on my 70th year, wear 3 or 4 layers (sometimes an electric vest) and can put on my own suit. I’ve had 3 shoulder surgeries too.

 

[DiverMZ]

Just dove my nova for the first time and had issues zipping up at first but just have to straighten out the edges. Love the suit.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Pretty sad when you young wiper snappers can’t dress yourselves, im on my 70th year, wear 3 or 4 layers (sometimes an electric vest) and can put on my own suit. I’ve had 3 shoulder surgeries too.

It would drive me absolutely nuts if I couldn't get my suit on myself. I am super stoked that you still can at 70 69.

70 is the new 55 anyway.

 

[lexvil]

It would drive me absolutely nuts if I couldn't get my suit on myself. I am super stoked that you still can at 70.

70 is the new 55 anyway.

Hey stop it, I’m not 70 yet!

 

[MaxAir]

Pretty sad when you young wiper snappers can’t dress yourselves, im on my 70th year, wear 3 or 4 layers (sometimes an electric vest) and can put on my own suit. I’ve had 3 shoulder surgeries too.

Bully for you. I don't appreciate your comments being personal and antagonistic. The discussion isn't about you, your age or your surgeries. We've all (or most) have been there when a fellow dive buddy lends a hand with the zip... denial of that is pure BS.

 

[lexvil]

Bully for you. I don't appreciate your comments being personal and antagonistic. The discussion isn't about you, your age or your surgeries. We've all (or most) have been there when a fellow dive buddy lends a hand with the zip... denial of that is pure BS.

Fair enough, you gotta do you

 

[Boarderguy]

This was my first owned plastic zipper, but have used many loaner/rentals with plastic and no issues because those suits were quite baggy in comparison. Should I have Seaskin switch to metal?

The plastic zip is fantastic. As the suit breaks in you'll be able to reach and fin better.

Still, the last inch of the upper part of the zip is beyond what I can reach, hence the buddy effect and risk therein.

Add a length of paracord to your zipper to aid in doing it yourself. There's no way I could reach mine and pull on the BS T-pull that is installed on my brass zip.
Red is my dry zip, gold is my zip cover. Both have a pull added so that I can grab it with bare or gloved hands. A quick flip of my shoulder and the pull is accessible if it somehow went behind me.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Bully for you. I don't appreciate your comments being personal and antagonistic. The discussion isn't about you, your age or your surgeries. We've all (or most) have been there when a fellow dive buddy lends a hand with the zip... denial of that is pure BS.

If you knew @lexvil (which you obviously don't) he didn't mean anything by it. We all crack jokes back and forth, none of them are ever personal. If you want to have 10 sherpas dress you at the waters edge that's your right. Dive and let dive. Be apart of the conversation but don't take things personal. It's the internet, it's not worth it.

Your suit will break in. It needs some talc and some time in and out of it. Also, blow it up at the surface and stretch right before going under. Makes a world of difference getting your body into all the nooks and crannies.

And you "can" self don your suit. You just haven't figured it out yet (and that's ok). Keep trying, just don't force anything. I had to attach a lanyard to mine like @Boarderguy too, otherwise I couldn't reach it.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I am super stoked that you still can at 70 69.

Hey stop it, I’m not 70 yet!

Fixed!