Tell me about your drysuit...

[Guba]

I am not a drysuit diver...yet.

I never thought I would be. I've always managed to use my wetsuit combinations to dive MOST of the year, although I've often had to be selective about where I dove and how deep. A couple of weeks ago, I went to CSSP while they were having their DUI Dog Days, in which divers can try out a drysuit and see what they might be missing. I had a great time, and they were great about answering my questions. However, I've continued to balk at the price...until recently.

Now, I've found some suits that are tantalizingly near my price range. However, before I take that plunge, I'd like to know how my Swamper brethren REALLY feel about their drysuits. Have they been worth the cost? How much additional maintenance is required? Have you found them to be finicky when it comes to use and repair? How user friendly have you found your suit (any problems/concerns about their use)?

Anything you can provide is appreciated. Thanks for sharing!

Bill

 

[texdiveguy]

BARE Scuba Diving - International

Bill--PM me for specific questions and I will try to answer and of course as honest as possible!!!

 

[FIXXERVI6]

DUI FLX 50/50 with rock boots P valve and two bellows pockets

The good:
Rock boots, some of my dives require some walking and the boots are good for varied rocky ground. The "socks" on the suit flip inside out a lot easier than turbo soles for when you need to wash out the inside of the suit after you blow a catheter. (when, not if)

Front zip, I don't need anyone to let me out or wax my zipper for me

p valve - speaks for itself, best invention since sliced bread, without it the suit is nothing more than a bag, with this installed it becomes a drysuit.

Bellows pockets, I have one on each side, everyone I talk to that went the DIR route on the pockets regrets it and wishes they had bellows on both sides.

Top half drys fast on my 50/50 because its made out of the right stuff that I should have gone with from day 1.

The bad:
Rock boots, can make fin fitting a pain, and you have to do something with those really long shoe laces. I put mine under gators, the suit has shrank to the point the gators are no longer needed but I keep them around just to have someplace to keep the laces out of the way.

crushed neoprene bottom half of the 50/50 grabs onto undergarments when I put it on making me swear up a storm every time I touch the thing and it takes 10 years for it to dry, I HATE the stuff, save your money and swearing and go trilam unless you really need the neoprene. I hate the stuff so bad when I replace the suit I'll probably burn it just to enjoy the flames.

 

[msg]

I started with a neoprene suit. It was comfortable so far as squeeze goes, but was a bit heavy and buoyant. I now use a Viking X-treme. It is a light weight suit, very comfortable. I like the fact that the sleeves are longer than on my Atlan suit. I don't want to go back to a wetsuit, unless the water is really warm.

 

[Ryanh1985]

I went with the Pinnacle evo 2 last year, and besides the ridiculous long wait to get it. I am very very happy with the suit. It is IMO one of the tougher suits out their especially in the price range its in, don't forget it comes with pockets and suspenders, which a lot of company's charge extra for. Another thing important is to find one that fits well, all the brands fit way different, also most brands offer custom sizing for not to much more if you can't fit in a stock suit, I want to say bare custom suits are only a few hundred bucks more.

As for the other stuff, maint. is minimal just take care and keep dirt out of the zipper and seals. Going to a drysuit for me was nothing, and IMO the hardness of the transition is blown way out of proportion.

oh and one last thing, soft socks if you can, IMO that is the way to go.

 

[mikerault]

I have the Bare NexGen and like it for its lightness, and ease of donning (except the rear zipper). I have used it with the undergarments that shipped with it in water down to 47 degrees. I tried DUI but found them constrictive and required a bit more weight than the NexGen.

What would I change? Make it a front entry and add a pee valve. I have added the dual bellows pockets and probably will add the pee valve this year.

Mike

 

[PeppermintPaddi]

Whites Fusion. Rick Flemming (?) called it a trash bag + panty hose. But it's a trilam trash bag. The suit custom fits itself to you. Dives like a wetsuit. I've got the tech skin and the pocket sag (out of the water anyway). Also rock boots and soft socks. Boots keep the air out of the feet, suit turns inside out easily to dry out. The new boots have a velcro ankle strap to help keep out the air. The tech and lycra skins dry quickly. Suit is light even when wet. I'd like to see the new skin and I'd like to know more about the pocket solution. Comes with suspenders. Self-donning across the shoulder front zip. Tech skin has the cool Power Ranger elbow graphics.

General dry suit issues I've discovered over the last year. Speaking as a relative newbie to issues old timers may take for granted:
1. You're diving damp, not dry. Seals leak a little, you perspire, etc. Wicking undergarments are key.
2. Blow a seal, blow a dive. I need to get the skinny on zip seals. Seals need replacing periodically.
3. Bill, I can't remember, do you dive a bp/wing? The middle chest area has to be clear for the inflator hose.
4. Even in Spring Lake a dry suit is so much nicer. No sprinting up and down the lake to stay warm.
5. Takes about 15 extra pounds to sink my MK2 + suit.
6. Minimum air into the suit is key. As is not coming up quickly so as not to exceed the auto dump rate of the shoulder valve.
7. Rock boots mean XXXXL fins.

 

[texdiveguy]

BARE Scuba Diving - International

Bill--PM me for specific questions and I will try to answer and of course as honest as possible!!!

I have a BARE NEO. XCD2 Pro Dry and LOVE IT!

I even had installed a neo neck seal, warmer --tougher to as is the rest of the suit, no blown neck seal problem. I have 'moon' boots which are attached at the factory and make it a breeze for donning and doffing the ds!

By far a much warmer and tougher material over trilam. Allot will depend on the type of diving you intend to use the suit for, as a general rule the neo. suits like mine cost more.

I have used a pee valve but hate the **** out them,,,,hard to put on and even more difficult to remove after a dive, (shaving?),,tube can bind making the unit useless, and the cath. can even come loose during the dive causing one to really scratch their head. And the chance of urinary track infection is an big issue for divers using pee valves. Not all are made and function the same---so check that if you go the pee valve route Bill.

Simply use adult easy on/off prefit extra absorbant diapers (you can use them/pee several times in a dive without a leak). If they do leak a 'wee' bit a pair of underwear catches and absorbs the leak prior to the little mosture hitting the ds undergarment, then contacting the dry suit. Work great and is an option to consider.

I use cuff rings on the wrist seals,,in a minute you can install a wrist seal or dry gloves.

Hang outside or inside and material is dry in one day. Heavier than trilam suits is a negative, but what in scuba is light anyways---lol.

I sugg. checking several name brands and add on options prior to making a final pick.

 

[Belmont]

I wear wet suit slip on boots on my dry suit socks.
Not as tough as rock boots but good on most surfaces.
Did not have to change my Jet Fins. Still have the option
to use rock boots.

 

[k-valve]

I splurged and got the DUI Trilam. I love it and would pay the bucks for it all over again. Suggestions:

1. Zip seals rock. After a couple of years of hard use I finally needed to replace my wrist and neck seals. It took me all of 15 minutes with the zip seals while I was at the dive site.
2. Front entry is definitely a plus.
3. If you do long dives get the p-valve, if you don't do long dives then skip it. You can always add one later if that changes. Putting the catheters on takes a little practice to master, but it's really not that big of a deal.
4. Rock boots rock...you'll just need one size larger for your fins.
5. Splurge for a couple of pockets on the thighs...billows or zippers. Make sure they have a d-ring incorporated on the inside of the pocket to snap items to.
6. Don't forget to powder your seals before and after using the suit. Store it in a cool place and the seals will last a lot longer.