SubX gear - buckle-scuffing

[Rutger]

So, I just bought a set of SubX thermals, WOW! I am massively impressed and happy with my purchase. 60 minute dive in 7c water and I was almost too warm the whole dive.

What I did find, was that the two straps that wrap under your thighs and secure the jacket from bunching cause wear on the outer material of the pants.

This is one dive, and already it looks pretty noticable. I'm wondering is this normal? There is no reinforcement in this area to prevent the buckles from wearing through. I imagine that after half a dozen or so dives I am going to have holes in the pants.

Comments or Ideas?

 

[marine boy]

Hi

I am happy you like the warmth of the SubX, but am concerned about the wearing of the fabric.

This is the first I have heard about the strap causing scuffing and potentially damaging the fabric on the SubX: our testing showed excellent abrasion resistance of the material. Perhaps as a solution you could try leaving the strap a little looser - it does not have to be super tight in order to do its job, but this may not be a solution for you as the strap does have to do the job of retaining the jacket in position, so too loose and it will cease to function properly. You may find a happier medium.

Please do keep an eye on it over the next few dives and if there is significant further degradation of the fabric, I would suggest returning it to fourth element at our US office, and we'll take a look at it.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Please do keep in contact about this either via the forum or email jim@fourthelement.com

Thanks

Jim

 

[Rutger]

Thanks for the reply Jim.

I will send pictures to the email address you provided tommorrow, as I'll take pictures tonite. I'll adjust the tension a bit more. I had the straps loose enough that the jacket could ride-up about 40mm, which was enough to comfortably move, bend, twist, etc.

Hi

I am happy you like the warmth of the SubX, but am concerned about the wearing of the fabric.

This is the first I have heard about the strap causing scuffing and potentially damaging the fabric on the SubX: our testing showed excellent abrasion resistance of the material. Perhaps as a solution you could try leaving the strap a little looser - it does not have to be super tight in order to do its job, but this may not be a solution for you as the strap does have to do the job of retaining the jacket in position, so too loose and it will cease to function properly. You may find a happier medium.

Please do keep an eye on it over the next few dives and if there is significant further degradation of the fabric, I would suggest returning it to fourth element at our US office, and we'll take a look at it.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Please do keep in contact about this either via the forum or email jim@fourthelement.com

Thanks

Jim