OP
Review Seaskin Nova drysuit
- Thread starter stuartv
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drk5036
Contributor
Hi Rob. My feet have a high arch on the inside and a low arch on the outside, so I have a hard time finding shoes that fit. So I did not spring for the tech boots when I ordered my Seaskin, and would definitely not recommend an attached boot. My suit has the compressed neoprene sock, which I pair with a thin merino sock on the inside, and a wetsuit bootie on the outside. It took some shopping around to find a bootie that fit nicely, which happens to be a 3mm Deep6 bootie in 1 size larger than my regular shoes, but they are discontinued and sold out in sizes smaller than 12.
If I were to do it again, I'd order to compressed neoprene sock and some thin merino undersocks (ski socks work well). Then bring the suit into my local LDS's and look for a cheap, thin wetsuit bootie that is comfortable over the top. I really see no need for a big boot, either for extra warmth or extra stiffness, my booties is just there to protect the compressed neo sock. PNW waters are a smidge chillier than CA waters, but I wouldn't expect them to be cold enough to require thick undersocks or a thick boot for rec dives at least. YMMV.
OP
I have the neoprene socks on my Nova. After trying several different scuba bootie options over it, the best fit I have found (for ME) is (by far) the NRS Paddle Shoes.
http://www.rei.com/product/881348/nrs-paddle-wetshoes-mens
All the other ones I've tried have been too narrow. One that fits my width (and I have very narrow feet) would be way longer than necessary.
The NRS ones fit great over my neo socks with a thin wool sock or a thick 150gsm Thinsulate sock.
Credit to @tbone1004 for turning me onto these.
http://www.rei.com/product/881348/nrs-paddle-wetshoes-mens
All the other ones I've tried have been too narrow. One that fits my width (and I have very narrow feet) would be way longer than necessary.
The NRS ones fit great over my neo socks with a thin wool sock or a thick 150gsm Thinsulate sock.
Credit to @tbone1004 for turning me onto these.
OP
I have not tried them.
vioch
Contributor
Seaskin Tech boots look very similar to Santi ones, so I guess they are the same OEM.
Haven't seen them by myself, but look at the pictures Seaskin - Santi
I like Tech boots option and had it on my Ursuit... still can't understand how I could miss it while ordering Nova)))
So I dive with default boots now. And they seem to run a half size (or even one size) smaller or don't assume thick socks. I wear 43 EUR, thus ordered 43/44 EUR and the boots are rather tight with just ordinary thick socks.
Haven't seen them by myself, but look at the pictures Seaskin - Santi
I like Tech boots option and had it on my Ursuit... still can't understand how I could miss it while ordering Nova)))
So I dive with default boots now. And they seem to run a half size (or even one size) smaller or don't assume thick socks. I wear 43 EUR, thus ordered 43/44 EUR and the boots are rather tight with just ordinary thick socks.
RobPNW
Contributor
Hey Stuart,
On those NRS overboots, are they true to size? IOW, if you wear a size 9 hiking boot, are they sized assuming the person would be wearing socks underneath? Or did you get a size up? We have an REI nearby, if the lockdown isn't keeping them closed and the boots are in the store, maybe I can go try them on with double wool socks to account for neoprene socks and a pair of dry socks.
One of goals is to be able to use my RK3 fins in both wet boots and dry boots if possible. Luckily for me, my size 9 feet are on the low end of the RK3 large size chart range. My wet boots are already 7mm full sole boots. If the drysuit socks and overboots fit in those fins, I'd be in business.
OP
I bought mine at the REI in Fairfax.
I took my drysuit and socks with me to the store. Got the sizes I wanted to try on, sat down and removed my socks and shoes and put on my thin wool socks with my 150gsm Thinsulate socks, then put just my feet and lower legs into my drysuit. Then tried on the paddle shoes. My normal shoe size is 10.5. My NRS paddle shoes are size 12.
I have never had any luck using the same fins for wetsuit and drysuit. Not only do I need one size larger fins for drysuit (XL vs L), I need fins that are negatively buoyant, as well. In a wetsuit, I use neutral fins for most diving - except back mount doubles, where I use fins that are a bit negative, but not as negative as my drysuit fins.
EDIT: Doh! You're probably in Washington state, not DC....
RobPNW
Contributor
Technically, my feet are 8 1/2 EE so the 10s would probably do well. I typically wear 9 hiking boots simply because my feet are wide. One thing I like right off the bat looking at the pictures and reviews of these boots, is that the "toe box" looks generous. So the extra size and a half up to 10s would be good with attached neoprene socks and dry socks. Still gonna see if I can get in REI for a real fit. I already wear 7mm full soled boots even in tropical water. So I could see using these with a pair of neoprene socks to fill the space for wet dives. I'm not as worried about the heavier fins. Even with 7mm wet boots on in tropical waters, my legs still sank.I bought mine at the REI in Fairfax.
My normal shoe size is 10.5. My NRS paddle shoes are size 12.
I have never had any luck using the same fins for wetsuit and drysuit. Not only do I need one size larger fins for drysuit (XL vs L), I need fins that are negatively buoyant, as well. In a wetsuit, I use neutral fins for most diving - except back mount doubles, where I use fins that are a bit negative, but not as negative as my drysuit fins.
EDIT: Doh! You're probably in Washington state, not DC....
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