Trilam vs. Compressed Neoprene

[Warren_L]

I've been doing a ton of reading and searching on this forum in my quest to select my first drysuit. As well, I've spoken to a number of different people about it as well. The end result - I'm more confused than ever.

For most of my cold water diving, it's going to be 55F or colder. I plan on doing a lot of wreck diving. The waters around here are littered with zebra mussels. While I do not plan on coming into contact with anything, the risk of getting nicked by a mussel or on something sharp on a wreck is something that I need to consider. As well, I realize the buoyancy characteristics and insulating factors are different between the two types (and even between different makes/models utilizing similar materials).

I was originally going towards trilam, but am now considering compressed neoprene. The ones I have in mind are the Bares XCD2, DUI CF200, and the Atlan Catalina Comp

For the trilam, I was looking at the Bares ATR Light and the Typhoon (Atlan) Triflex Cordura.

I've heard a lot about the ruggedness of the DUI CF200, which appeals to me, but I've also heard it takes ages to dry and is heavy when wet. The 7 year guarantee also is appealing.

I'm really at a loss at to what to do....

 

[Boogie711]

Where's Karl_in_Calif when you need him to pontificate on the evils of compressed neoprene semi-dry suits??? LOL.

Anyway - do you do a lot of travelling with your gear? I was originally hesitant to consider crushed neoprene because of the drying/weight consideration.

Then I realized I drive to the site, and afterwards it goes back into the pickup, back inside, and hangs up to dry. Who cares if it's still damp or heavy? It's not like it's going in my luggage.

 

[diverlady]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
Where's Karl_in_Calif when you need him to pontificate on the evils of compressed neoprene semi-dry suits??? LOL.

ROFL!!!


I have a compressed 4mil suit (ABYSS) and I've packed it in a suitcase for my trip out to B.C. in 2002. It does take longer to dry. It is heavier when it's wet but it's warmer!!

I've heard of a compressed 2mil suit. Have you seen that one? Perhaps it would be a happy medium???

As another option, I've seen a drysuit diver using a Viking suit wear a pair of coveralls over his suit to reduce the risk of it getting nicked or scratched. I wouldn't recommend the bright orange ones he wears!! However, it's nice to be able to identify him easily underwater!

Diverlady

 

[diverlady]

Oops!!

The first BARE suit you mentioned is a 2mm. I wasn't familiar with it.

BUT CHECK THAT PRICE!!!

Have you looked at Abyss? My drysuit was less than that BARE suit and in CDN $.

Abyss

Diverlady

 

[Warren_L]

Boogie711 -
Most of my diving will likely be within a 2-4 hour driving distance. Any longer trips by plane will likely to be to warmer destinations so I don't think I'll be taking it with me.

As far as the drying and weight considerations, that's probably not as big of an issue for me as would be the durability factor.

Diverlady -
The Abyss looks pretty interesting, especially the kevlar. Is there a local distributor or do I have to contact Abyss directly? Thanks for the info!

 

[DeepScuba]

Hi DiverLady:

I've recently began my quest for a new drysuit as well.

So what's the skinny on the Abyss? You speak of pricing, and evidently it's better than Bare.

Which undoubtedly means they're also far better than a DUI. (Pricing I mean).

Our groups Drysuit of choice is the DUI CF200.

Why?? I don't know. Because my shop sells them?

May I ask your model and pricing?

It looks as if they sell direct?

I own a few year old Bare Nex-Gen. Cheap but effective. I'm thinking of crushed neo-prene. I require all the thermal protection I can get, which includes the drysuit itself, and not just my Weezle extremes!

 

[ScubaScott]

I did the same research back and forth all last winter. Different companies, price ranges and options. I ended up with the Bare ATR HD to suit my dives of cold water year round, wreck diving and zebra muscles......

Now, for the money, I don't think you can go wrong with the ATR Light - its a bilam, but plenty tuff, and an excellent price. A suit doesn't need to made of kevlar in order to last. The biggest enemy of a drysuit is usually the owner, not the conditions......

SS

 

[diverlady]

I'm not sure what model it is but since the only 4mil suit they seem to have is the TECH, I guess that's what I have. (trying to find a pic right now....)

I have the kevlar knee pads and they are more like "leg" pads as they start mid thigh and go to mid shin. I don't have a side pocket though.

Price...hmmm...I got mine winter 2002 so they may have gone up. I can't remember the exact amt but I'm thinking it was in the area of $1300-$1500. Not sure if the $1300 included tax. Canadian dollars!! A buddy of mine got one from another shop (Tam- Toronto-defunct) and paid about $100 or so more so they were pretty much the same. Now, that price is in the area of the Bare CD4 (4mil) except Cdn$ not US. I'm sure the 2mil suit will cost more!

Where... my LDS is Divesource in Whitby. You can send an e-mail to Brian (owner) or Karl and ask for a price. They measured me at the shop and took care of the order. The order included a neoprene hood and a nylon carrying bag.

divesource
Tell Brian I sent you. Maybe you'll get a deal. He's also having a big one-day-only sale on Sat. Nov1 if you need any other stuff.

Crap! I can't get a pic to work!

Diverlady

 

[loosebits]

CF200 is not compressed neoprene. Compressed neoprene is still basically neoprene with nitrogen bubbles, bouyancy, compressibility and everything else. CF200 is crushed neoprene (DUI is the only company with crushed neoprene) and is incompressible, almost no insulating value and is slightly negative in fresh water (or so I've heard). It is also tougher and heavier than a trilam suit.

CF200 does take a while to dry but no more than a wetsuit (of course a trilam will dry in 10 minutes) but if you are going to be diving wrecks, especially in cold water with a deco obligation, you don't want a suit that will easily tear. I would say either a CF200 or a Cordura suit such as the DUI CLx450 (others make Cordura suits as well) is the only way to go.

 

[kavka]

I'm using 4mm crushed neoprene from Aqua3. There are also 2,5mm and 5,5mm models.