Seaskin trilam drysuit purchase simulation

[Joris Vd]

Neoprene neck seal is the way too go imo. It's warmer and more comfortable.

Just one question, is there a specific reason people prefer using the high profile dump valve over the low profile one? I see many people still prefer these. Are there any known issues with the low profile ones?

 

[Brett Hatch]

I went with the silicone replaceable seal since being user-replaceable just made sense to me. I'm happy with it. Haven't tried a latex or neoprene one, so can't really speak to how they perform relative to one another. Didn't go for the warm neck option, but probably would give it a shot next time.

@Joris Vd it's my understanding that there was an early generation of low-profile Apeks dump valves which had reliability issues, but that the newer generations have fixed those problems. In any case, I went with the low-profile one, and have not had any problems with it in the 20 or 30 dives I've taken the suit on. I leave it fully open the whole dive, no leaks.

Edit to add, this is what I ended up going with:
SSDSMEMNOVA Seaskin Nova - Membrane in yellow
SSOPLASTICDRYZIP Dry Suit Option - YKK Plastic Dry Zip
SSNOPTMZIPCOV Nova Option-Main Body Dry Zip CCover
SS-OPT35.100.004 Dry Suit Option - Light Monkey "Tinkle" Balanced P-valve
SSNOPTQUICKNK Nova Option - Quick Neck system
SSNOPTKUB01 Nova Option - Kubi Fitted Dry Glove system
SSVOPTDIRDUMP Dry Suit Option - Move Dump (DIR)
SSNOPTCOMPSOX Nova Option-Compressed Neoprene Socks
SSUOPTKEVKN Dry Suit Option - Kevlar Knee
SSNOPTRNBUM Nova Option-PU Bum Pads
SSDSMEMFULLTLS Nova Option-Fully Telescopic Torso
SSNOPTNAME Dry Suit Option - Name Badge
SSNOVAOPTPKTZIP1 Dry Suit - Pocket for Nova Large Zipped right thigh outside
SSNOVAOPTPKTZIP2 Dry Suit - Pocket for Nova Large Zipped left thigh outside
SSPOUCHBRACES01 Seaskin-Braces Pocket for 25mm elastic
SSOPTTRIBITEFA Dry Suit Option - Eezycut Trilobyte on left forearm

Things I would change next time: get the warm neck option
Things I would think about: being a neoprene suit instead of membrane, left-handed body zip (if I were left-handed, that is), unbalanced P-valve, neoprene Kubi ring covers
Things I would probably avoid: "convenience" zipper, braces pocket, attached hood, attached boots, rock boots, computer strap patches

If you actually use the computer strap, then the patches kinda make sense. But I use bungees to mount my computer to the back of my hand instead, which I find to be a much better location for the computer to live. I'm happy with my balanced P-valve, but if presented with compelling advantages for unbalanced, I'd give it a shot. The Kubi ring covers look slick, but I'm not convinced that they solve a real problem that actually exists (and it's a non-issue in the OP's warm water anyway). Neoprene suits are substantially cheaper, and a lot of people prefer them, so maybe I'd try it. I don't ever use the braces pouch I bought since my undies already have pockets for my keys; but if your water is warm enough to not need undies then the braces pocket would be really handy. The compressed neo sock + thin merino socks + thin 3mm wet booties are warm enough and tough enough, so rock boots seem to be an expensive solution to a non-existent problem, as far as I can tell. Attached hood/boots make no sense to me either.

Best of luck

 

[drk5036]

I went with the silicone replaceable seal since being user-replaceable just made sense to me. I'm happy with it. Haven't tried a latex or neoprene one, so can't really speak to how they perform relative to one another. Didn't go for the warm neck option, but probably would give it a shot next time.

@Joris Vd it's my understanding that there was an early generation of low-profile Apeks dump valves which had reliability issues, but that the newer generations have fixed those problems. In any case, I went with the low-profile one, and have not had any problems with it in the 20 or 30 dives I've taken the suit on. I leave it fully open the whole dive, no leaks.

Edit to add, this is what I ended up going with:
SSDSMEMNOVA Seaskin Nova - Membrane in yellow
SSOPLASTICDRYZIP Dry Suit Option - YKK Plastic Dry Zip
SSNOPTMZIPCOV Nova Option-Main Body Dry Zip CCover
SS-OPT35.100.004 Dry Suit Option - Light Monkey "Tinkle" Balanced P-valve
SSNOPTQUICKNK Nova Option - Quick Neck system
SSNOPTKUB01 Nova Option - Kubi Fitted Dry Glove system
SSVOPTDIRDUMP Dry Suit Option - Move Dump (DIR)
SSNOPTCOMPSOX Nova Option-Compressed Neoprene Socks
SSUOPTKEVKN Dry Suit Option - Kevlar Knee
SSNOPTRNBUM Nova Option-PU Bum Pads
SSDSMEMFULLTLS Nova Option-Fully Telescopic Torso
SSNOPTNAME Dry Suit Option - Name Badge
SSNOVAOPTPKTZIP1 Dry Suit - Pocket for Nova Large Zipped right thigh outside
SSNOVAOPTPKTZIP2 Dry Suit - Pocket for Nova Large Zipped left thigh outside
SSPOUCHBRACES01 Seaskin-Braces Pocket for 25mm elastic
SSOPTTRIBITEFA Dry Suit Option - Eezycut Trilobyte on left forearm

Things I would change next time: get the warm neck option
Things I would think about: being a neoprene suit instead of membrane, left-handed body zip (if I were left-handed, that is), unbalanced P-valve, neoprene Kubi ring covers
Things I would probably avoid: "convenience" zipper, braces pocket, attached hood, attached boots, rock boots, computer strap patches

If you actually use the computer strap, then the patches kinda make sense. But I use bungees to mount my computer to the back of my hand instead, which I find to be a much better location for the computer to live. I'm happy with my balanced P-valve, but if presented with compelling advantages for unbalanced, I'd give it a shot. The Kubi ring covers look slick, but I'm not convinced that they solve a real problem that actually exists (and it's a non-issue in the OP's warm water anyway). Neoprene suits are substantially cheaper, and a lot of people prefer them, so maybe I'd try it. I don't ever use the braces pouch I bought since my undies already have pockets for my keys; but if your water is warm enough to not need undies then the braces pocket would be really handy. The compressed neo sock + thin merino socks + thin 3mm wet booties are warm enough and tough enough, so rock boots seem to be an expensive solution to a non-existent problem, as far as I can tell. Attached hood/boots make no sense to me either.

Best of luck

Do you have any pictures of your yellow suit?

 

[Brett Hatch]

Do you have any pictures of your yellow suit?

I don't have any good ones, but here's a crappy one I took in my shed a few months ago . I'll see if I can get a decent action-shot next time I go for a dive.

 

[Sbiriguda]

Now I am jealous both of your drysuit and of the stand or pole you use to let it dry
Did you buy it somewhere or you made it yourself?

 

[stuartv]

I went with the silicone replaceable seal since being user-replaceable just made sense to me.

You know you can get a replaceable neoprene neck seal that will fit in the Si Tech Quick Neck, right?

It is made by Waterproof.

Neoprene Neckseal

I have this in my Seaskin Nova. I was using silicone before. I REALLY like the neoprene.

 

[stuartv]

Neoprene neck seal is the way too go imo. It's warmer and more comfortable.

Just one question, is there a specific reason people prefer using the high profile dump valve over the low profile one? I see many people still prefer these. Are there any known issues with the low profile ones?

Because a lot of people have had problems with the Apeks low profile dump valve.

A friend of mine got a Seaskin suit last year with the Apeks low profile valve. It leaked on every dive until she finally replaced it with the high profile valve.

I only have and have had Si Tech valves, so I have no experience with the Apeks.

 

[lexvil]

You know you can get a replaceable neoprene neck seal that will fit in the Si Tech Quick Neck, right?

It is made by Waterproof.

Neoprene Neckseal

I have this in my Seaskin Nova. I was using silicone before. I REALLY like the neoprene.

Pricy but well worth it.

 

[Brett Hatch]

You know you can get a replaceable neoprene neck seal that will fit in the Si Tech Quick Neck, right?

It is made by Waterproof.

Neoprene Neckseal

I have this in my Seaskin Nova. I was using silicone before. I REALLY like the neoprene.

Pricy but well worth it.

I did not know that, thanks for the pointer! I'll order one today and see if I end up liking it better.

 

[wnissen]

I don't have any good ones, but here's a crappy one I took in my shed a few months ago . I'll see if I can get a decent action-shot next time I go for a dive.

View attachment 625067

Thanks very much for this shot. I think I am getting the yellow as well. I have no idea why the default color for scuba gear is minimum visibility black.