Question Which brands make the best made to measure drysuit?

[Erik H]

Just wanted to get the lay of the land when it comes to which brands everyone feels make the absolute best quality made to measure drysuits. I started the list with the brands I know make premium MTM drysuits and that I am personally interested in, but also added more brands that I've heard also make good drysuits. I'm hoping that everyone votes according to which drysuits you've used, have seen and felt, or even from the experiences of your friends. Looking for more concrete evidence of quality and not just what people have heard or read over the internet or through the grapevine. Vote for as many or as few as you like.

I'm personally more interested in membrane front entry drysuits but I know of very good neoprene suits as well. You are absolutely welcome to motivate your choices, or even explain which brands you would keep away from like the plague (as long as you motivate why of coarse).

 

[flymolo]

IMO if you can fit an off the rack drysuit that is the best route. it's easier to replace the suit or find a gently used one and you don't have to deal with the measurements being off and then needing to send your new suit back for alterations

i happen to fit an off the rack size large DUI FLX extreme. I have two of them and that is the suit i will continue to buy for the foreseeable future

 

[Wheeler925]

IMO if you can fit an off the rack drysuit that is the best route. it's easier to replace the suit or find a gently used one and you don't have to deal with the measurements being off and then needing to send your new suit back for alterations

i happen to fit an off the rack size large DUI FLX extreme. I have two of them and that is the suit i will continue to buy for the foreseeable future

I agree, though I haven't bought my own suit yet. I also fit a large DUI FLX extreme, but damn they like their dollariedoos

 

[Erik H]

I've used a few different drysuits that according to my measurements would be my size but there is always something that doesn't fit right. I've used an off the rack Ursuit, and that fit me like a Ikea bag... I used a neoprene ScubaPro and the arms and legs were too long, torso too skinny and boots ginormous. I tried on a couple others (don't remember which brands they were) but there ways always something that wasn't that didn't fit right (I know, Goldilocks situation). I'd say I have an athletic build with broad shoulders, narrow waist, larger thighs, and odd shaped feet, so finding a good drysuit for myself in my opinion means doing things right from the beginning and getting one that is meant to be fitted for me and my body shape. Buy once, cry once. But I know that isn't for everyone due to pricing, complexity of purchase, or just ease of finding something off the rack that fits just fine for them and their needs. No judgement there.

 

[Erik H]

As an extra, I am VERY interested at the moment in:

SFTech TNT​

DUI CF200​

Bare Sentry Tech​

SEAL SL:01​

and maybe Bare X Mission​

I dive year round in Sweden where waters are cold and the dives are rocky and wrecky.

 

[Rich1280]

I'm a slightly funny shape where I'm pretty long in the torso and short in the legs. I've always had MTM drysuits as if I get one for my height I'll get a wedgie, and one for my torso length is typically way too long in the legs and arms, and often body girth. I've had MTM Roho (a sack), Seaskin, Predator, Santi. If you are nearly a normal size or proportions, the Seaskin will work. If you are female and have boobs and bum, the adjustments don't seem to be quite right. Mine fit OK, but my wife's never fit right. The difference on the more premium suits is in the shoulder cut and mobility, the Santi and Predator are a world apart form the Seaskin in the cut around the shoulders.
I've got friends in MTM O'three and Otter, both seem OK. Otter seemed to have a spate of some funny cuts a couple of years ago where they just didn't look right, but that seems less common now. O'three seems pretty consistent.
For premium MTM I'd not be looking at Seaskin; for economic balance and value they are excellent an deserve a lot of the love they get, but they aren't cut the same as the premium brands.

Rich

 

[Rich1280]

If you want to get an idea where a bunch of drysuit manufacturers are, here's 4 within 35 miles. Historically the "Heavy Woollen District" of Yorkshire made specialist fabrics as well as wool garments, and as the mills shut all that was left was specialist fabric manufacture. Pretty much all the drysuit fabric is made in the area still, and specialist sewing is still in the area to use them.

 

[lexvil]

I wouldn’t look at any other than seaskin, on my third and not a problem, give accurate measurements and get a good fitting suit. It’s nice to pretend that spending more gets better quality and sometimes this is true but with 3 suits (2 still in use by me) I still haven’t spent as much as 1 of those other brands.

 

[Wheeler925]

I wouldn’t look at any other than seaskin, on my third and not a problem, give accurate measurements and get a good fitting suit. It’s nice to pretend that spending more gets better quality and sometimes this is true but with 3 suits (2 still in use by me) I still haven’t spent as much as 1 of those other brands.

I gotta ask.. why do you need two and what happened to the first?

 

[lexvil]

I gotta ask.. why do you need two and what happened to the first?

One nova one ultra, the first nova had a zipper replacement after 2 or 3 years and I got tired of chasing some leaks after 8 years, a great exchange rate prompted ordering a new nova. I prefer diving the ultra but hate the back zip enough that the nova ends up getting used most of the time.

The first one is still in use but I haven’t kept up on its status.