The eternal question... Neoprene or Trilam drysuit?

[Sbiriguda]

As per the title, the eternal question is Neoprene or Trilam drysuit?
By now I have 3 mm for pool training and tropical seas and two pieces 5 mm wetsuit which is enough for the Mediterranean sea in late spring, summer and autumn

I am considering diving in the alpine lakes and in Liguria this winter, and I will need a drysuit
In the beginning I won't buy it, I want to get some experience in diving with different kinds of drysuits on rent before choosing the one I want to buy. Anyway I would like to get some advice on advantages and disadvantages of both types. I noticed there are several old threads but since they look quite old I am opening a new one

Thanks

 

[Marie13]

Are you drysuit certified? You may not be allowed to rent one without a drysuit very.

 

[Tribal]

For me the reasons I did choose for trilam are simple.
In the summer you adjust the undersuit and don’t overheat.
It doesn’t compress at depth.

 

[Divingblueberry]

Thanks for starting this discussion ; the Canadian fall made me realized that 14 mm wetsuit will soon not be an option. So I am too looking at dry suits and am facing the same dilemma.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Cordura.

 

[RainPilot]

I am generalising here but not much.

Neoprene suits are cheaper, they still provide some warmth even if you get wet inside and are generally easier to get a good fit (stretchier)

They are also compressible so buoyancy management can be a lot more challenging.

Trilam gives a wide range of undergarment options but is pricier and if flooded there is no warmth provided. There is no compression to speak of and so weighting is easier.

 

[stuartv]

My first drysuit was a Bare XCS2 Tech, which is compressed neoprene. Then I got a trilam. Then I got another trilam. I don't see ever going back to any type of neoprene.

The neo was heavier (by a lot). Neo takes forever to dry - compared to my trilams, anyway. The neo trapped more air in its nooks and crannys and seemed to be just a tad more challenging to dive. My trilams feel like they really shrinkwrap onto my body as soon as I submerge, and end up with less air inside.

My trilams are more tolerant of different amounts of undergarment. My suit fits me well whether I have on almost no undergarments or whether I have my thickest. The neo only fit the best with one configuration of undergarments. Anything else meant it was a bit too loose or a bit too tight.

Trilam doesn't give as much inherent insulation, but I'm okay with just wearing slightly warmer undergarments to make up for that. If I'm going to get a hole/leak in my suit during a dive, I'd rather be wearing a trilam with Merino wool underneath than a neo with nothing underneath.

 

[kelemvor]

Are you drysuit certified? You may not be allowed to rent one without a drysuit very.

That must vary from shop to shop. I have never got any kind of drysuit certification and I rented a few before buying the one I own now. My suit did come with some free training, but there was no card/agency involved.

 

[lexvil]

All things being equal, in cold water like Monterey, I would go neoprene, better fit, less squeeze and warmer with less undergarments which requires less lead. My neoprene suit is a rear shoulder zip which requires someone else to help zip it, my Trilaminate which is out for a new zipper is more versatile being front zip, I can solo dive easier with it.

 

[Mr. Sunday]

For me Trilam is the way to go for a drysuit.