Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[davecampbell]

I go left arm, then right arm, then pull over my head. I also go left arm first for getting into my harness, finding it easier to get the dump valve through as the first move. The suit will also break in quite a bit over the first little bit. I have two identical Seaskin Novas, based on the same measurements, but one is 3 years old and has ~100 dives, the other is brand new with 0 dives. The new one is significantly stiffer... It also takes some practice to see what works best for you, and your body. It gets easier with time. Even now, a helpful hand to open and close zippers, or free up that stuck elbow, is welcome, and usually available from your buddy. I often help my wife finish gettting suited up, then don my gear with a little assistance from her.

 

[Boarderguy]

I didn't order the warm neck option - but now I'm wondering if I should call them to get it added. I often am diving <50F, so would you recommend it?

I'm looking at hoods and I'm seeing that they typically say "collar is designed to work with dry suits fitted with a warm neck bib" and I just got the Quick Neck System with the Siflex Seal without the extra "warm neck standard" -- will these hoods work without the 'warm neck standard'?

The short bib of drysuit hoods is designed to stay flat on your neck without anything holding it in place. The longer bibs are designed to be tucked into something, either a wetsuit neck or drysuit warm neck. Don't make the mistake that my buddy did and have a brand new student help him with his bib and get it tucked into the silicone neck seal instead is the warm neck. He was cold and we were laughing.

FWIW I dive a med length bib Waterproof H1 and tuck that into my warm neck. I stay cozy in sub 50° for hour plus dives.

 

[Boarderguy]

So my seaskin just arrived, and I have a question about donning. Admittedly this is my first drysuit, so I am aware that donning it is probably going to take some getting used to, that said, I am having quite a bit of difficulty getting in and out if it.

To me, it seems that the zipper doesn't create a big enough opening to get my shoulders through. I have tried to follow the donning instructions on the website, which state to put your right arm through first, and then your left. However the opening is so small when my right arm is all the way through the seal I cannot physically contort my left arm and get it in the sleeve. I have to put both arms through at the same time and sort of jump/shimmy the shoulders up, or have my wife help.

What's worse (which I found out yesterday when I was home alone) is that I cannot get one arm out of the suit at a time. I had to get both wrists out of the seals at the same time, and sort of shake my arms to get the suit off my shoulders. It took probably 10 minutes to get this done.

Has anyone had an experience like this? Is my suit too small or is it user error?

For what its worth while this is my first dry suit I dive frequently with drysuit divers, and I haven't seen anyone with this much trouble donning/doffing.

Thanks

If your zip goes right hip to left shoulder you should be donning left arm first. Doff is right arm first. Head goes in last and out first. Ensure you have your telescopic torso unsnapped for each iteration. Give the suit a few hours of wear and it will soften up to make life easier.

 

[Jatinder]

So my seaskin just arrived, and I have a question about donning. Admittedly this is my first drysuit, so I am aware that donning it is probably going to take some getting used to, that said, I am having quite a bit of difficulty getting in and out if it.

To me, it seems that the zipper doesn't create a big enough opening to get my shoulders through. I have tried to follow the donning instructions on the website, which state to put your right arm through first, and then your left. However the opening is so small when my right arm is all the way through the seal I cannot physically contort my left arm and get it in the sleeve. I have to put both arms through at the same time and sort of jump/shimmy the shoulders up, or have my wife help.

What's worse (which I found out yesterday when I was home alone) is that I cannot get one arm out of the suit at a time. I had to get both wrists out of the seals at the same time, and sort of shake my arms to get the suit off my shoulders. It took probably 10 minutes to get this done.

Has anyone had an experience like this? Is my suit too small or is it user error?

For what its worth while this is my first dry suit I dive frequently with drysuit divers, and I haven't seen anyone with this much trouble donning/doffing.

Thanks

Same as davecampell, my left arm goes first and then right. Taking off, right first and then left. Also, take the hand seal off first, keeping the fingers inside and then holding the cuff from behind, pull on the sleeve/cuff lightly to slip the right shoulder off. Talc the suit inside helps a lot.

 

[eja12a]

Same as davecampell, my left arm goes first and then right. Taking off, right first and then left. Also, take the hand seal off first, keeping the fingers inside and then holding the cuff from behind, pull on the sleeve/cuff lightly to slip the right shoulder off. Talc the suit inside helps a lot.

Ya that seems to do it. I still have to struggle to get it on, but it’s doable now. When you say talk the suit inside are you talking about just the seals, or the entire suit inside?

 

[iowastvn]

Hi everyone, just got the suit on Thursday delivered while I was out on a cruise. The waist is a little tight but I think all the free food on the cruise accounts for that. Here it is! Going to try it in a pool before I do a dive in a quarry this upcoming weekend.

 

[Boarderguy]

Ya that seems to do it. I still have to struggle to get it on, but it’s doable now. When you say talk the suit inside are you talking about just the seals, or the entire suit inside?

Talc into a sock or bag and then pat down every surface inside. Maybe do it again after the first couple dives. I haven't done anything to mine after the 2nd or 3rd dive day and that's been 70+ dives now. Easy in and easy out.

 

[stuartv]

I didn't order the warm neck option - but now I'm wondering if I should call them to get it added. I often am diving <50F, so would you recommend it?

Don't worry about it. Order a Waterproof replaceable neoprene neck seal and use that instead of the silicone one that comes with it. Keep the silicone one (in a ziploc bag, well talc'ed, as a ready spare.

I'm looking at hoods and I'm seeing that they typically say "collar is designed to work with dry suits fitted with a warm neck bib" and I just got the Quick Neck System with the Siflex Seal without the extra "warm neck standard" -- will these hoods work without the 'warm neck standard'?

Buy a drysuit hood (i.e. no bib) and you won't have a problem. I have never owned a single hood with a bib and never wished for one. Especially with a drysuit hood that is overlapped with a neoprene neck seal. A good drysuit hood should have smoothskin on the inside the neck part. The neoprene neck seal will have smoothskin on the exterior. Overlapped, they made a pretty darn good seal.

 

[twistypencil]

Don't worry about it. Order a Waterproof replaceable neoprene neck seal and use that instead of the silicone one that comes with it. Keep the silicone one (in a ziploc bag, well talc'ed, as a ready spare

I got the quick neck system with the siflex seal (and an additional siflex neck seal), from seaskin (SiTech Neck seal SILFLEX - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies) -- are you saying that I can use the replaceable neoprene neck seal with the siflex quick neck system?

Presumably, you mean something like this: Neoprene Neckseal is that right?

Buy a drysuit hood (i.e. no bib) and you won't have a problem. I have never owned a single hood with a bib and never wished for one. Especially with a drysuit hood that is overlapped with a neoprene neck seal. A good drysuit hood should have smoothskin on the inside the neck part. The neoprene neck seal will have smoothskin on the exterior. Overlapped, they made a pretty darn good seal.

So you put the hood *over* the neoprene neck seal?

I was thinking of getting this: https://www.scuba.com/p-frth7/fourth-element-7mm-hood -- it says it fits with a warm neck bib, but does that mean it wont work with the neoprene method you are talking about, and will only work with the warm neck bib?

 

[Boarderguy]

I got the quick neck system with the siflex seal (and an additional siflex neck seal), from seaskin (SiTech Neck seal SILFLEX - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies) -- are you saying that I can use the replaceable neoprene neck seal with the siflex quick neck system?

Presumably, you mean something like this: Neoprene Neckseal is that right?



So you put the hood *over* the neoprene neck seal?

I was thinking of getting this: https://www.scuba.com/p-frth7/fourth-element-7mm-hood -- it says it fits with a warm neck bib, but does that mean it wont work with the neoprene method you are talking about, and will only work with the warm neck bib?

Different strokes for different folks. Silicone neck seals are super comfy and don't leak when moving your head. Neo neck are much warmer but have a small chance (so I've heard) of a sight leak when moving a lot. Either way you can't go wrong.

The longer bib will fold up towards your head if not tucked into something. The short bib will sit against your neck regardless. The warm neck adds a layer that minimizes the water transfer.