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White's/Abyss/Viking
- Thread starter GreenDiverDown
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TexasMike
Contributor
Stephen,
There have been many recent discussions on these and other suits. Be sure to use the Search Feature of the board (look toward top of page for button) to help you find past threads.
--TexasMike
There have been many recent discussions on these and other suits. Be sure to use the Search Feature of the board (look toward top of page for button) to help you find past threads.
--TexasMike
OP
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Lost Yooper
Guest
Steven,
I've had a Viking and currently use an Abyss Pro Kevlar. I don't know much about the White, and I don't know anyone who uses one.
I think both the Viking Pro and the Abyss are great suits. Each have their pros and cons, but I really like the Abyss.
Viking
Pros:
1. Can be patched in the field very easily.
2. Dries quickly.
3. Renowned for their "dryness" (ie. they don't leak).
4. Very well made.
Cons:
1. Very pricey. As I recall, the retail for a standard Pro is $2500+.
2. Not very flexible.
3. Easily punctures on wrecks.
4. Rear entry.
Abyss Pro Kevlar
Pros:
1. Extremely tough and very well made. You would have to work at puncturing it. I've yet to puncture it on a wreck in three years of diving. In fact, it looks brand new.
2. Repairs with neoprene glue, but it must be dry.
3. Custom fit is inexpensive (custom fit was standard).
4. Cheaper than a Viking. Latest price is about $1900US (purchased in Can.) for a custom fit suit, Kevlar knee pads, Apeks valves, commercial grade zipper, and two pockets.
5. It unique. People love touching my suit as it has an odd texture.
Cons:
1. 24hr dry time.
2. Not the most flexible suit, but not worse than a Viking.
3. Neoprene seals, though warm and tough, can leak a bit depending on the person.
4. Rear entry.
That's my opinion on the two suits. Whites used to be cheaper than both of these suits, and are self entry. I'm not sure about the Whites quality, durability, repairability, and it's availability in custom fit.
Good luck.
Mike
PS. If you're looking at quality suits and you can afford them, check out DUI as well. I haven't used one, nor do I know anyone personally who has, but their reputation is credible. You're looking at $2000+ (perhaps closer to 3K) for a DUI as I recall.
I've had a Viking and currently use an Abyss Pro Kevlar. I don't know much about the White, and I don't know anyone who uses one.
I think both the Viking Pro and the Abyss are great suits. Each have their pros and cons, but I really like the Abyss.
Viking
Pros:
1. Can be patched in the field very easily.
2. Dries quickly.
3. Renowned for their "dryness" (ie. they don't leak).
4. Very well made.
Cons:
1. Very pricey. As I recall, the retail for a standard Pro is $2500+.
2. Not very flexible.
3. Easily punctures on wrecks.
4. Rear entry.
Abyss Pro Kevlar
Pros:
1. Extremely tough and very well made. You would have to work at puncturing it. I've yet to puncture it on a wreck in three years of diving. In fact, it looks brand new.
2. Repairs with neoprene glue, but it must be dry.
3. Custom fit is inexpensive (custom fit was standard).
4. Cheaper than a Viking. Latest price is about $1900US (purchased in Can.) for a custom fit suit, Kevlar knee pads, Apeks valves, commercial grade zipper, and two pockets.
5. It unique. People love touching my suit as it has an odd texture.
Cons:
1. 24hr dry time.
2. Not the most flexible suit, but not worse than a Viking.
3. Neoprene seals, though warm and tough, can leak a bit depending on the person.
4. Rear entry.
That's my opinion on the two suits. Whites used to be cheaper than both of these suits, and are self entry. I'm not sure about the Whites quality, durability, repairability, and it's availability in custom fit.
Good luck.
Mike
PS. If you're looking at quality suits and you can afford them, check out DUI as well. I haven't used one, nor do I know anyone personally who has, but their reputation is credible. You're looking at $2000+ (perhaps closer to 3K) for a DUI as I recall.
OP
- Messages
- 3,138
- Reaction score
- 4
OP
- Messages
- 3,138
- Reaction score
- 4
Lost Yooper
Guest
Stephen,
I just have a second to reply, so let me know if you need more clarification.
Abyss says the Pro Kevlar TX (my suit) is neutral.
Some people don't use ankle weights. My fins are negative which helps, but I find ankle weights to be more comfortable (plus they allow you to take weight off your belt).
The boots on my suit are very nice. I see they have changed the design slightly, but they are still very stiff and offer a lot of support. No additional boots would be needed.
I'm not really sure what the difference is between the two. When I bought mine, I thought I bought a Pro Kevlar, but mine doesn't have the heat reflective layer, but it does have the BDM commercial grade zipper. I think mine is the TX with the commercial grade zipper, not the YKK zipper. Anyway, mine is 2mm crushed neoprene with Apeks valves, and has Kevlar knee pads. They may have changed some things in the last couple years.
I suspect the viking has less drag than the Abyss, but I don't notice a difference. I can keep up with anyone, so I guess it's not too bad.
The suit itself does have some thermal value, but underwear is required for temps less than 55F (?) depending on duration and exertion. You can use this suit for any temperature water. You just adjust your underwear to meat your needs.
1/4" Neoprene seals. Very tough. I get a bit of dampness on my wrists, but nothing to worry about. It's probably my wrists. They are push throughs.
Options: Kevlar knee pads, Apeks valves, swival inflator valve, commercial grade zipper, zipper protector, and two bellow pockets on thighs.
I've never needed a pee valve, so I wouldn't recommend getting one unless you plan on spending several hours in your suit underwater.
Gotta go. Sorry for any typos.
Mike
I just have a second to reply, so let me know if you need more clarification.
Abyss says the Pro Kevlar TX (my suit) is neutral.
Some people don't use ankle weights. My fins are negative which helps, but I find ankle weights to be more comfortable (plus they allow you to take weight off your belt).
The boots on my suit are very nice. I see they have changed the design slightly, but they are still very stiff and offer a lot of support. No additional boots would be needed.
I'm not really sure what the difference is between the two. When I bought mine, I thought I bought a Pro Kevlar, but mine doesn't have the heat reflective layer, but it does have the BDM commercial grade zipper. I think mine is the TX with the commercial grade zipper, not the YKK zipper. Anyway, mine is 2mm crushed neoprene with Apeks valves, and has Kevlar knee pads. They may have changed some things in the last couple years.
I suspect the viking has less drag than the Abyss, but I don't notice a difference. I can keep up with anyone, so I guess it's not too bad.
The suit itself does have some thermal value, but underwear is required for temps less than 55F (?) depending on duration and exertion. You can use this suit for any temperature water. You just adjust your underwear to meat your needs.
1/4" Neoprene seals. Very tough. I get a bit of dampness on my wrists, but nothing to worry about. It's probably my wrists. They are push throughs.
Options: Kevlar knee pads, Apeks valves, swival inflator valve, commercial grade zipper, zipper protector, and two bellow pockets on thighs.
I've never needed a pee valve, so I wouldn't recommend getting one unless you plan on spending several hours in your suit underwater.
Gotta go. Sorry for any typos.
Mike
bio guy
Guest
Stephen
I don't have a White's suit, but they seem to have a good reputation around here. Hopefully there is someone out there that has used their suits. I have their kevlar gloves and love them.
I do, however, have an Abyss drysuit. It isn't the crushed neoprene though. I think it's the pro. Anyway, it is a great suit....and well made.
As far as boots...I wasn't aware they came with an optional boot. The ones I have are pretty hefty. No worries about walking around with them.
Ankles weights may or may not be necessary. It may be as simple as the thickness of the socks you wear, that dictates whether you wear ankle weights. Like Lost Yooper, I find it more comfortable to wear ankle weights.
I don't have a White's suit, but they seem to have a good reputation around here. Hopefully there is someone out there that has used their suits. I have their kevlar gloves and love them.
I do, however, have an Abyss drysuit. It isn't the crushed neoprene though. I think it's the pro. Anyway, it is a great suit....and well made.
As far as boots...I wasn't aware they came with an optional boot. The ones I have are pretty hefty. No worries about walking around with them.
Ankles weights may or may not be necessary. It may be as simple as the thickness of the socks you wear, that dictates whether you wear ankle weights. Like Lost Yooper, I find it more comfortable to wear ankle weights.
DrySuitDave
Contributor
I have been diving with drysuits for 25 years now, and I have used neoprene, trylams and the Viking vulcanized rubber suit.
Hands down the Viking Pro Turbo is my choice. I bought my suit 15 years ago and aside from wrist and neck seal replacements, it is still going strong.
It stretches great, dries quickly, It has never punctured on me, etc.
If you buy a suit of any type, get suspenders. I take my Viking half off in between dives and keep the lower half off, but suspenders would keep it all from sagging instead of trying to tie the arms around my waist.
I will by another new Viking shortly, but I will get it without an attached hood, which is somewhat of a pain to get on and off.
I did manage to get a DUI valve that they stopped selling that power inflatges AND power exhaustrs-wrosk great! Nothing like sucking the air out of your suit when you are upside down.
I have seen whatever that Finnish brand of drysuit is and it looks high quality.
Hands down the Viking Pro Turbo is my choice. I bought my suit 15 years ago and aside from wrist and neck seal replacements, it is still going strong.
It stretches great, dries quickly, It has never punctured on me, etc.
If you buy a suit of any type, get suspenders. I take my Viking half off in between dives and keep the lower half off, but suspenders would keep it all from sagging instead of trying to tie the arms around my waist.
I will by another new Viking shortly, but I will get it without an attached hood, which is somewhat of a pain to get on and off.
I did manage to get a DUI valve that they stopped selling that power inflatges AND power exhaustrs-wrosk great! Nothing like sucking the air out of your suit when you are upside down.
I have seen whatever that Finnish brand of drysuit is and it looks high quality.
Stephen,
The reason why your LDS only carries a certain brand(s) and don't wish to pick up a line of drysuits is because of the manufacturer of that line. Some require that the divestore carry quite a few suits, like 6+; this is very cost uneffective for the store, as their overhead goes way up with inventory that may or may not sell. In my area you'd think that drysuits sell like hotcakes, but they don't, and when I walk into a store, rarely do they have a variety of sizes to choose from, if any drysuits on the rack. Odd, but true.
I dive with a Viking. I love the Viking line for comfort, reduced drag (relative to drysuit diving), integrity of the suit (ie it stay dry), and having to use less weight than my last drysuit. I used to dive with a Nokia, which had integrity problems, lots of drag, and had to wear a considerable amount of weight.
If you are going to spend your money, and drysuits are quite an investment, buy one that is going to keep you dry. I have dived with OS, Viking, and Nokia suits. The OS line is cheap, and their "quality" shows. Nokia is no long in the business (yes, they are in the cellphone business). Viking has long standing reputation in the business. DUI is a top of the line suit, and you'll pay dearly for it. Check out the Viking Extreme, their new suit, for about $1000. I've seen the DUI line cost upwards of $2000. Don't forget to figure in thermals for under the suit if you don't already own some. That'll cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-400 depending on what brand you go with. Or, alternatively, you could make your own.
The reason why your LDS only carries a certain brand(s) and don't wish to pick up a line of drysuits is because of the manufacturer of that line. Some require that the divestore carry quite a few suits, like 6+; this is very cost uneffective for the store, as their overhead goes way up with inventory that may or may not sell. In my area you'd think that drysuits sell like hotcakes, but they don't, and when I walk into a store, rarely do they have a variety of sizes to choose from, if any drysuits on the rack. Odd, but true.
I dive with a Viking. I love the Viking line for comfort, reduced drag (relative to drysuit diving), integrity of the suit (ie it stay dry), and having to use less weight than my last drysuit. I used to dive with a Nokia, which had integrity problems, lots of drag, and had to wear a considerable amount of weight.
If you are going to spend your money, and drysuits are quite an investment, buy one that is going to keep you dry. I have dived with OS, Viking, and Nokia suits. The OS line is cheap, and their "quality" shows. Nokia is no long in the business (yes, they are in the cellphone business). Viking has long standing reputation in the business. DUI is a top of the line suit, and you'll pay dearly for it. Check out the Viking Extreme, their new suit, for about $1000. I've seen the DUI line cost upwards of $2000. Don't forget to figure in thermals for under the suit if you don't already own some. That'll cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-400 depending on what brand you go with. Or, alternatively, you could make your own.
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