Time to get a drysuit...

[iowasnowboarder]

Flatirons has DUI suits for demo.

 

[charlieo]

Here is a source for info on drysuits Exposure Protection - The Deco Stop.
We have four suit in the family. A Bare nex-gen, a Bare trilam and two O'Neill neoprenes. My wife loves the nex-gen. It is light and easy to carry and pack. The neoprene suits fit like a loose wet suit and doesn't have a lot of drag. However, when you use neoprene seals you lose the dry suit and get a damp suit. It's still nice and warm. Neoprene suits have a shorter life than fabric suits. I have to replace the neoprene suits we have. The trilam is heavy, stiff, and I found it hard to get use to. But it is rugged, dry and warm.
I'm looking at a crushed neoprene suit from Diving Concepts to replace the worn out suits.
Hope this helps, good luck.

 

[RonFrank]

Thanks for all of the info. I have not used a drysuit yet, so I really have no idea as to what makes one drysuit better than another. I want to make an informed decision, so I would like to rent/demo a few before purchasing. I have purchased way too much equipment more than once!
Will Flatiron or A-1 allow demo's?

I'm diving a bottom of the line Laminate drysuit, and the high end suits dive no better, in fact worst if theirs is leaking and mine is not! What makes a good drysuit is basically fit, and durability. The difference between an expensive drysuit, and a lower end drysuit is Brand name, materials (to some degree), and customization or options.

There are a lot of options that may or may not be things one wants. Some options include the type of sock or boots (important), pockets (handy), seal types (neo/latex), Pee valves, if the zipper is front entry (more expensive) vs. back, zip seals, dry hoods, optional valve placement, and fitting options.

I've known a number of divers who have picked up the Bare Trilam suits for between $1000~$1300 from DiveTank and that included the suit, a custom boot option, adjusting the length a bit if necessary, inflater hose, and underwear. The DUI suits start at around $1400, and come barebone (little or no options). The Pinacle suits are NICE, and I know a number of people that dive them. They come standard with two pockets, reinforced knees, front zipper (in the evo II), and I believe you have your choice of a couple of boot options, and sizes. These run around $1500 at A1.

A1 may not allow a demo of their drysuits unless you have a drysuit patch (silly, but very likely true). They do rent drysuits (Pinacle Evolution/2) and they are nice. They may rent you one without a drysuit specialty class, but I'm not sure.

Flat Iron's does Demo DUI, and I think they may sell Bare as well.

If you are a non-standard fit, most retailers will work with you, and they may have to order your suit. With all the options available on most suits, unless an LDS carries a boat load in stock, they most likely will do a custom order. So don't think that you can just walk into a retail shop and walk out with exactly what you want unless you are not picky, and have standard body part sizing including the feet!