Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Litefoot]

I'd still go with the colors I chose (blue suit/yellow arms), but I "might" have opted for the grey suit if it had been available. Strangely, though, still no orange. It's still a fun app to explore the possibilities.

 

[OsirisPan]

Can someone look over my list and make sure I'm not screwing something up.

Also a few questions, Want the suit for warm water and cold water cave diving and cold water diving
1. I've been told seaskin are a very loose fit even with accurate measurements. Ive went up to the nearest CM for my measurements in the middle (calf 35.5 so went 36) Ill be wearing a weezle extreme plus and maybe a heated undergarment at some point ? Is this correct as the general consensus NOT to add the [extra allowance for heavy duty undergarments]?
2. Even though my seat to waist is over the 15cm seaskin rule ive been told not to do the elasticated back unless I'm a woman. but my measurements are very... woman like ? still a no?
3. Ive went with the lower profile SiTech Vega inflator fitting [3.0-7.0mm power cable] ive done this as ive looked at a lot of the heated undergarments that are available and think the power cables are around this size. Anyone know why the bigger size exists? are there more heavy duty things that require a larger cable? will I need a larger cable and should get the bigger one so the small cable fits? Will this have a higher potential for leaking ?
4 I may do CCR in the future how much hassle is it to add a cuff dump/remove a shoulder dump if I do that? does anyone dive with both?
5. Went with the light monkey balanced pee valve as that seems the general consensus? is this correct?
6. anyone know where to order spare wrist seals as the neck seals are considerably cheaper so I bought and bunch and would like a bunch of wrist seals also but cant find them.
7. Have I successfully ordered everything for the Kubis to be good to go when suit arrives? that was a touch confusing.
8. Calfs are 35.5... gaiter goes from 26-35 (small) then 36-45 (medium). I went with the medium. Was this correct.
9. Is the warm neck simple a good idea for diving around the PNW?
10. I dive sidemount is the 45 degree from thigh the general consensus or should I just go full forward.

 

[OsirisPan]

Enter your sizes: Nova Size Sex (G):​ Male Height in cm (H):​ 179 Chest size in cm (CH):​ 090 Over bust in cm (O) - Female suits only. Enter MAN for Male suits.:​ MAN Waist size in cm (W):​ 076 Seat size in cm (S):​ 096 Thigh size in cm (T):​ 57 Calf size in cm (Ca):​ 36 Body cord in cm (BC):​ 164 Inside leg to floor in cm (L):​ 83 Wrist-to-wrist in cm (WW):​ 138 Elbow to elbow in cm (EE):​ 094 Under arm in cm (UA):​ 52 Biceps size in cm (B):​ 32 Forearm in cm (FA):​ 29 Wrist size in cm (Wr):​ 17 Neck size in cm (N):​ 39 Shoe size (Euro):​ 41.42 Foot Length in cm (FL):​ 25.5​

 

[Wants2divemore]

Also a few questions, Want the suit for warm water and cold water cave diving and cold water diving
1. I've been told seaskin are a very loose fit even with accurate measurements. Ive went up to the nearest CM for my measurements in the middle (calf 35.5 so went 36) Ill be wearing a weezle extreme plus and maybe a heated undergarment at some point ? Is this correct as the general consensus NOT to add the [extra allowance for heavy duty undergarments]?

I didn't add the extra allowance for heavy undergarments and mine fits fine - definitely not very loose.

 

[Boarderguy]

Also a few questions, Want the suit for warm water and cold water cave diving and cold water diving

That sounds like you want 2 suits... a drysuit cut to hold all the fluff for cold water will be a little baggy with minimal fluff. You can also just deal with the slightly less aero dynamic nature of it and use one suit. Cave cuts are not a thing with SS if I remember correctly.

1. I've been told seaskin are a very loose fit even with accurate measurements. Ive went up to the nearest CM for my measurements in the middle (calf 35.5 so went 36) Ill be wearing a weezle extreme plus and maybe a heated undergarment at some point ? Is this correct as the general consensus NOT to add the [extra allowance for heavy duty undergarments]?

Measure exactly per the video and descriptions, then round up to the nearest cm. Do this multiple times across many days and take your high average for each. Do this when relaxed. Have a buddy or partner help you because doing it yourself is a pita.

2. Even though my seat to waist is over the 15cm seaskin rule ive been told not to do the elasticated back unless I'm a woman. but my measurements are very... woman like ? still a no?

No elastic...

5. Went with the light monkey balanced pee valve as that seems the general consensus? is this correct?

My trigon works every time and no plug to loosen, remove, or lose...

6. anyone know where to order spare wrist seals as the neck seals are considerably cheaper so I bought and bunch and would like a bunch of wrist seals also but cant find them.

I can't find any specific wrist seals for the kubi system but these should work. I dive with no wrist seals and haven't had any issues. I'm a handsy diver and like to touch things so I put a lot of trust in my gloves and kubi rings. Showa 660 are tough gloves to beat.

SiTech Cuff seal SILFLEX Cone (pair) - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies

Silicon Cone wrist seals for the SiTech Quick cuff system. Fits wrist above16cm, but may need to be trimmed to your size. (Pair) THESE CAN NOT BE GLUED Purchase SiTech Cuff seal SILFLEX Cone (pair) from Seaskin - drysuit supplies made to order directly from the factory.

seaskin.co.uk

7. Have I successfully ordered everything for the Kubis to be good to go when suit arrives? that was a touch confusing.

You'll need the option given for them when building the suit plus the glove set side accessory. "Kubi dry glove system glove set only" in the correct size to match the ring size you selected when building the suit.

Kubi Dryglove Systems - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies

Browse Kubi Dryglove Systems from the Seaskin Drysuits online store - buy bespoke drysuits and components directly from the factory.

seaskin.co.uk

8. Calfs are 35.5... gaiter goes from 26-35 (small) then 36-45 (medium). I went with the medium. Was this correct.

Measure exactly per the videos and description and you won't need gaiters. Those are a crutch for I'll fitting suits much like ankle weights are for new/poor dry suit divers.

9. Is the warm neck simple a good idea for diving around the PNW?

I dive the Puget Sound year round. Having my hood bib tucked into the warm neck (standard, not simple) means I don't get any flushing or exchange to get cold.

10. I dive sidemount is the 45 degree from thigh the general consensus or should I just go full forward.

I'm not a SM guy, but you def don't want them on the side of your leg.

 

[stuartv]

Can someone look over my list and make sure I'm not screwing something up.

Also a few questions, Want the suit for warm water and cold water cave diving and cold water diving
1. I've been told seaskin are a very loose fit even with accurate measurements. Ive went up to the nearest CM for my measurements in the middle (calf 35.5 so went 36) Ill be wearing a weezle extreme plus and maybe a heated undergarment at some point ? Is this correct as the general consensus NOT to add the [extra allowance for heavy duty undergarments]?

If you are ever going to use 400 weight undies (or equivalent), I would get the extra allowance. If you are never going to use anything heavier than 200, then I would not.

A Weezle Extreme Plus and a heated undergarment sounds like a good reason to get the extra allowance. Too loose is way better than too tight.

2. Even though my seat to waist is over the 15cm seaskin rule ive been told not to do the elasticated back unless I'm a woman. but my measurements are very... woman like ? still a no?

No idea, really. But, given the previous Q&A, it doesn't sound like a bad idea to get it, if you are concerned about how the suit looks on your when you're out of the water. I don't think it makes any difference to using the suit.

I would look at how they actually do it. If it requires extra holes in the suit (for stitching on the elastic and/or a sleeve that the elastic runs through), then I might forego just on the general principle of not wanting any more holes in the suit that have to be sealed up than absolutely necessary.

3. Ive went with the lower profile SiTech Vega inflator fitting [3.0-7.0mm power cable] ive done this as ive looked at a lot of the heated undergarments that are available and think the power cables are around this size. Anyone know why the bigger size exists? are there more heavy duty things that require a larger cable? will I need a larger cable and should get the bigger one so the small cable fits? Will this have a higher potential for leaking ?

Different people get power cables from different vendors. Some are thinner. Some are thicker. It is best to know exactly what power cable (and size) you are going to want to put through it.

4 I may do CCR in the future how much hassle is it to add a cuff dump/remove a shoulder dump if I do that? does anyone dive with both?

I mostly dive CCR. I have never experienced any desire to have a cuff dump. I cannot think of a single CCR diver that I know that uses a cuff dump.

5. Went with the light monkey balanced pee valve as that seems the general consensus? is this correct?

I have had no issues whatsoever with the Trigon on either of my Seaskin suits. I would get it again.

6. anyone know where to order spare wrist seals as the neck seals are considerably cheaper so I bought and bunch and would like a bunch of wrist seals also but cant find them.

I haven't looked lately, but Seaskin definitely HAD them available to order as spares.

7. Have I successfully ordered everything for the Kubis to be good to go when suit arrives? that was a touch confusing.
8. Calfs are 35.5... gaiter goes from 26-35 (small) then 36-45 (medium). I went with the medium. Was this correct.

Gaiters? We don't need no steenkeen gaiters.

9. Is the warm neck simple a good idea for diving around the PNW?

I think so.

10. I dive sidemount is the 45 degree from thigh the general consensus or should I just go full forward.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

10. I dive sidemount is the 45 degree from thigh the general consensus or should I just go full forward.

Do not go forward.

On the sides works just fine:

 

[Craine]

2. Even though my seat to waist is over the 15cm seaskin rule ive been told not to do the elasticated back unless I'm a woman. but my measurements are very... woman like ? still a no?

I (a man) am pretty broad shouldered and hipped, with a narrower waist. I got the elasticized back and love it. I don’t like having a lot of extra “stuff” hanging round, so the option keeps everything a little closer cropped to my body.

But this is of course just the opinion of 1 random dude on the internet. Other folks have their reasons for not taking the option. Moral of my rambling is really just “do what you want, there’s not really a reason not to if you are in the specs recommended by SeaSkin”.

So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess?

I would look at how they actually do it. If it requires extra holes in the suit (for stitching on the elastic and/or a sleeve that the elastic runs through), then I might forego just on the general principle of not wanting any more holes in the suit that have to be sealed up than absolutely necessary.

It doesn't require any extra stitching, it's all glued in. Two photos of the back of my suit attached, first from the inside, and second from the outside.

 

[OsirisPan]

Do not go forward.

On the sides works just fine:
View attachment 878694

is that full sideways ? or 45 degree? any objection to the 45 degree?

 

[OsirisPan]

I (a man) am pretty broad shouldered and hipped, with a narrower waist. I got the elasticized back and love it. I don’t like having a lot of extra “stuff” hanging round, so the option keeps everything a little closer cropped to my body.

But this is of course just the opinion of 1 random dude on the internet. Other folks have their reasons for not taking the option. Moral of my rambling is really just “do what you want, there’s not really a reason not to if you are in the specs recommended by SeaSkin”.

So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess?


It doesn't require any extra stitching, it's all glued in. Two photos of the back of my suit attached, first from the inside, and second from the outside.


View attachment 878763View attachment 878764

thanks very much for the reply and photos