Thin compressed/crushed neoprene drysuits

[Izze]

Hi. I figured I might as well use the boards collective wisdom for this one.

I'm looking for a dry-suit to use on vacations to warm/tropical areas. It's not that I get cold, living in Sweden sort of takes that out of you, but I prefer the comfort and the trim of a dry-suit over wetsuits. I currently use a tri-lam suit in Sweden but it's a bit bulky and has a front-zip so I don't want to take it travelling, at least not by plane.

What I want:

A thin crushed/compressed neoprene drysuit
Light weight if possible
Zipper across the shoulders to keep it a bit safer for travels
Slim fit, the less bulk the better



Any ideas on what suit to look for?

 

[TSandM]

Izze, any compressed neoprene drysuit you get will be far bulkier, and much heavier than your trilam. They're also difficult for travel, because they dry slowly.

 

[Izze]

Oh, I realise that it will be heavier than a tri-lam. I also probably should have used baggy instead of bulky to describe what I mean. Snug fit and light for a neoprene suit is what I'm after.

The longer time to dry is fine. The travelling that this is intended for tends to be liveaboards with at least 24 hours between the last dive and the flight home, it should be sufficiently dry to pack after that.

 

[evil_xander]

Oh, I realise that it will be heavier than a tri-lam. I also probably should have used baggy instead of bulky to describe what I mean. Snug fit and light for a neoprene suit is what I'm after.

The longer time to dry is fine. The travelling that this is intended for tends to be liveaboards with at least 24 hours between the last dive and the flight home, it should be sufficiently dry to pack after that.

Bare XCD2 Pro sounds like something for you (Bare homepage seems to have some problems at the moment):
Sport Diver Magazine - XCD2 PRO DRY

The light part on the other hand seems like a science fiction when talking about neoprene drysuits...

 

[Izze]

I've got about five kilograms to spare from my current setup with a 7 mm semi-dry and a pair of boots. Unless the dry-suit weighs in at more than those extra kilos it's fine.

 

[bogrady]

My Bare XCD2 Tech weighs in at 12 lbs. The Pro should be a bit lighter. Within your 5Kg limit.

 

[Randy43068]

If you want one to last almost forever get a DUI. If you want one that's more affordable but not as repairable or durable get a Whites or Bare.

All are good suits and you really do get what you pay for in this regard.

No doubt my comment will start the flames.. but who gives a sHi*

 

[*Floater*]

I like my O'Neill Specialist 3mm compressed neoprene drysuit. Check out their sizing chart to see if you could find a snug fitting stock size. Mine is size L which is meant for someone 178-183cm and 77-86kg of athletic build. I'm around the upper end of that range (183cm and 83kg give or take) and still have room for proper undies (xerotherm arctics), though I couldn't fit my rather thick quilted fleece undersuit in there. In terms of height there isn't any to spare, but I have worn the suit when I was 92kg without problem. So if you are of athletic build and find a stock size such that you are at the upper end of the height range and slightly over the weight range (maybe 10kg over give or take) then it could be a good snug fit without thick undies.

That said I really don't see the point of diving dry in the tropics, but if I did I'd look into a special tropical drysuit. I think DUI and Whites both offer them but I'm not sure what they are made of.

 

[crosing]

I have an xcd2 pro and love it, however, I would not take it to the Caribbean as it is too bulky and heavy. I think you should consider the DUI 30/30se: DUI - 30/30 Tropical Drysuits for SCUBA diving

 

[DiveJedi]

Might I throw in a new suggestion:

the Whites Fusion

This is a dual skin system - that is ultra compact and super light. It depends on the size of the suit - but this morning I thought - what the heck - lets measure one for kicks. On an electronic scale this morning a small weighed 4.2lbs. The dimensions - when rolled properly it was 21" long, and had a diameter of 7". That is not a typing error - 7".

Check out our Blog to see what is happening regarding the Fusion

We have just purchased a video camera to capture all of the testimonials on our demo tour as we relize that people may think we are just giving you our best sales pitch.(watch for these in the coming days).

Until the nexy dive,
Tyler