Wet Suit vs Dry Suit

[ChrisM]

So... it sounds like a dry suit is more "maintenance intensive" than a wet suit. Is that true or am I misinterpreting that?

Yeahm, that's it, it's not that I am lazy or anything ...

Actually, not really all that much more. All it takes is draping it over something, and rinsing it really well (with special attention to valves) with the hose, and letting it hang dry. Doesn't sound like much as I write it, but after a beach night dive......seems much easier to toss the suit in the tank and worry about it later

Just out of curiosity, when your wet suit wears out and you get around to replacing it, would you replace it with a really nice one or would you just get a cheap "beater" (for lack of a better term) for your purposes?

I'd wait for Dive N Surf to have their yard sale and get one. That's how I've bought all my wetsuits. Body Glove are not the best (IMHO), but they have a lifetime seam and zipper warranty. I think 7 mils are less than $200 at the sale, although it's been over a year since I bought one, so I am not sure. I do want to stay relatively warm when diving wet, so I want some quality.

If I wanted a really nice one I'd go custom with JMJ or AquaFlite

Chris

 

[headhunter]

Great! Thanks Chris. That helps. I may go for a two step process. First, get a new less expensive wetsuit, but not an "el cheapo". Second, do the research necessary, save up for the dry suit I really want and not "settle" for anything less than exactly what I need.

Christian

 

[ChrisM]

Great! Thanks Chris. That helps. I may go for a two step process. First, get a new less expensive wetsuit, but not an "el cheapo". Second, do the research necessary, save up for the dry suit I really want and not "settle" for anything less than exactly what I need.

Christian

No worries. And if you are taking DIRF it might pay to wait. I have a buddy who bought a Bare Next Gen drysuit for like $800 or something, maybe 600. He is now a GUE tech I grad, but by the time he changed the suit and made it the way he wanted (pockets, different dump valve, better seals....) he paid nearly DUI money for it.

Chris

 

[headhunter]

No worries. And if you are taking DIRF it might pay to wait. I have a buddy who bought a Bare Next Gen drysuit for like $800 or something, maybe 600. He is now a GUE tech I grad, but by the time he changed the suit and made it the way he wanted (pockets, different dump valve, better seals....) he paid nearly DUI money for it.

Chris

That's exactly why I think I'll wait until I'm more educated on the subject. I'd rather buy what I need the first time than have to modify it again and again and run the price up.

Christian