Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Boarderguy]

I’m 5’10” 180 lb. A L is usually a snug but comfortable fit for me. But this size L is uncomfortably tight. I would size up.

It should be snug, not loose like a t-shirt. This is to provide a barrier between you and the undergarment that moves with you and wicks sweat away from your skin.

Also, I see no way to get the on/off valve from Trigon stuffed into the pee valve tubing other than a bit of heat to soften the tube. Thoughts?

That valve is trash. There are a few options here from McMaster

we're all friends here... let's talk p valves and sensitive bits...

I just purchased my first dry suit yesterday from DUI and I won't have it for a few months but I did get the Light Monkey P-valve option. I've heard about a "quick connect" option and I know that I need a catheter but other than that I know nothing... Questions: 1. Can someone tell me about...

scubaboard.com

 

[Boarderguy]

So the Nova comes with a stick of beeswax. Is there a better lube I should try? Looks like AquaSeal makes a YKK lubricant.

Chap stick is better than that hard stick crap. There is a softer chapstick style wax sold as a 2 pack. I bought it from my LDS and it's marketed as drysuit zipper lube. I'll get a pick of it when I go to my truck this afternoon.

 

[Moonhowler]

Pee valve, sounds scary but it’s not

I'm getting that ALSO. I'm asking about the convenience zip for when I'm not in the water.

 

[lexvil]

I'm getting that ALSO. I'm asking about the convenience zip for when I'm not in the water.

Not worth the trouble, actually easier to just take off the top end of the suit.

 

[jstreetley]

QUESTION ON CONVENIENCE ZIPPER: I've been debating getting a convenience zip. I go through periods where things are just unpredictable for me, and I need relief IMMEDIATELY. But if the front zip provides access without having to wrestle out of the suit it's probably not necessary. Is there easy enough access with just the front zip on the trilam?

It would not be possible to pee out the front zipper with your arms still in the suit; you'd need to get out the suit to halfway.
In general, prevailing wisdom is against a convenience zip. It's just one more thing to fail and an expensive one at that. But in your situation, if you have an issue where you NEED to go, you might get more value out of it than most.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

QUESTION ON CONVENIENCE ZIPPER: I've been debating getting a convenience zip. I go through periods where things are just unpredictable for me, and I need relief IMMEDIATELY. But if the front zip provides access without having to wrestle out of the suit it's probably not necessary. Is there easy enough access with just the front zip on the trilam?

It would be cheaper to just put on a p valve whenever you put the suit on vs having to fix / pay for labor for the convenience zip. You'll want to make the catheter just a part of every dive. I honestly can't stand diving without it. It takes me all of a minute to do it if that. Maybe 2

So the Nova comes with a stick of beeswax. Is there a better lube I should try? Looks like AquaSeal makes a YKK lubricant.

KY? Jk.. I use silicone, like dielectric grease. Pic at bottom. I also use that on the ring seals and on all my flashlight o rings.

Also, I see no way to get the on/off valve from Trigon stuffed into the pee valve tubing other than a bit of heat to soften the tube. Thoughts?

McMaster Carr has much better ones. Still might have to warm the hose up, I might have used boiling water can't remember. They've been linked out here a few times.

edit:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Get more males. I ordered I think 2 female and 5 males. I have 3 males left after 3 years.

But in your situation, if you have an issue where you NEED to go, you might get more value out of it than most.

I can't think of any form of diving where that zipper makes sense

 

[stuartv]

I’m 5’10” 180 lb. A L is usually a snug but comfortable fit for me. But this size L is uncomfortably tight. I would size up.
Edit: TBH, I’d just cancel the base layers and get something better.

When I ordered my Seaskin Tech Base layer garments, I referred to their size chart. It had me ordering bigger than I normally wear, but did what it said and was glad I did.

So the Nova comes with a stick of beeswax. Is there a better lube I should try? Looks like AquaSeal makes a YKK lubricant.

Also, I see no way to get the on/off valve from Trigon stuffed into the pee valve tubing other than a bit of heat to soften the tube. Thoughts?

@Boarderguy I followed you suggestion and have the SS hood stretched over my HP100. Thanks for the idea. Only problem is the tank now looks like a snowman without arms.

Stick of beeswax is for a metal zipper.

If you got a plastic zipper, they should have sent you a tube of zipper lube. It's like an ointment.

My first time or two, I put a dab of zipper lube every 10 cm along the zipper, not just at the dock/ends. It made a huge difference in how easy the zipper was to work.

 

[dwrdnet]

Any idea of the turnaround time for just ordering spare seals from sealskin vs waiting on a suit? Placed an order for extra seals yesterday for spares, and I am just curious on a rough time estimate.

 

[DiveDay]

Got my suit in the mail, overall mixed success.

My number one conclusion is be very careful with the "Allowance for extra thick undersuits" option. I regret selecting it as it made the upper body and arms huge. Attached picture is with me wearing a 400g Thinsulate undersuit. It may be a more useful option if you're a really big person, but I have a slight build despite being tall.

Otherwise the suit was made exactly to specs. Trilam seems cheaper/thinner than my Santi. The pockets are nice and roomy but the inner pocket has no way to drain and cheaper/thinner bungees than my Santi. The zipper placement is a bit odd, it does not go nearly as far to my right hip as the Santi does, but seems useable and does not hinder donning the suit.

It will be a few months before I dive it, I'm sure it'll work but I'm a bit disappointed in making the sizing mistake, oh well, live and learn.

 

[admikar]

It kinda sucks for smaller people due to increasing the size by same amount. It would make more sense to increase size by percentage than fixed one-size-fits-all.