Which Drysuit For Tech Diving Which May Involve Wrecks/penetration?

[Bigeclipse]

All,
I currently own a Bare trilam HD. I got it used. It is in decent shape. Has had a pinhole leak in the armpit which is patched. I am about to replace the wrist seals but the neck seal is fine. The zipper is also in good shape. Anyways, it does not fit the greatest. The chest is a good fit, but the waist is a little large and the legs are a bit too long probably by about 2 inches but it has served me well. I intend on saving for a new suit which will fit better. Unfortunately I don't have the largest budget so I may also still look in the used market for someone of the same build as myself. What suits should I keep my eyes out for? I don't see myself doing ultra crazy dangerous penetration dives in wrecks but I will dive some wrecks with some easier penetration. I am mainly a colder water diver right now. I am heading into technical diving in the future. Thanks!

 

[Bigeclipse]

ive read a bunch about crushed neoprene Vs. trilam. I think I would like to stay with trilam as that is what im used to already and it seems to be better for technical diving with regard to being more flexible and being able to reach valves/manifold...etc.

 

[rhwestfall]

the crushed neoprene are quite simply "beyond rugged", and well suited for dealing with abrasion.... they do, however, take forever to dry, and are heavy (so no good for travel). I'm not sure where you get the less flexible from. The crushed neoprene (ex.: DUI CF200) actually stretches....

 

[Bigeclipse]

the crushed neoprene are quite simply "beyond rugged", and well suited for dealing with abrasion.... they do, however, take forever to dry, and are heavy (so no good for travel). I'm not sure where you get the less flexible from. The crushed neoprene (ex.: DUI CF200) actually stretches....

I read somewhere on the good old trusted internet haha, that even though neoprene is a little stretchy, it also is more form fitting and heavier which can lead to less flexibility compared to a good fitting trilam suit. Again, I have no experience with crushed neo, so I was just stating what I read...

 

[Patoux01]

Anything that is not thick neoprene would do imo. That's not for the wreck, that's for depths where they basically plain suck (and at the surface).

If I were to buy a new suit, I'd stay away from 2 things:
- any suit thicker than 3mm
- ill fitting suits (typically the ones not made to measure if you're not perfectly into their model). Which can happen with made to measure suits as well.

 

[KevinNM]

If you want trilam, the standard suggested options are the Santi E.lite or DUI FLX Extreme. But talk to someone who sells a lot of drysuits about what you want to do and see what they suggest. there are many options other then Santi or DUI. Having someone who sells a lot of drysuits measure you is really important to getting a proper fit that will allow you to do what you need to do. Not a good place to try to save a few bucks by buying on-line.

 

[Chris H]

Bare makes great suits. I have a had a Trilam HD since 2005. I just ordered a new made to measure X-mission that will replace it. If your current suit is in good shape, but too long, have you considered having it shortened a bit? Alterations may not be the perfect solution, but spending $200 to have the legs on your current suit shortened, instead of $2000+ may not be the worst option.

 

[jblack]

ask over at cave country, john comes up on some smokin deals on the dive rite suit, demo models there like new for half price...... also a good suit...... im currently diving a hollis dx300 love it!

 

[Bigeclipse]

Bare makes great suits. I have a had a Trilam HD since 2005. I just ordered a new made to measure X-mission that will replace it. If your current suit is in good shape, but too long, have you considered having it shortened a bit? Alterations may not be the perfect solution, but spending $200 to have the legs on your current suit shortened, instead of $2000+ may not be the worst option.

I have called 2 places about alterations and they wanted like 500 bucks to shorten and install new socks (currently has turbo sole type boots which do not fit perfect)

 

[rivers]

I second the recommendation to look for an ex-disply/ex-demo suit if you can fit an off the peg size. I just bagged myself a santi ladies first emotion for £700. I'm not crazy about the colour scheme (it has a pink pocket), but it's a far higher end suit than I will ever be able to buy new.