mobeeno
Contributor
I like windbreakers and raincoats.
Who Makes The BEST CLOTHING FOR DIVING?
- Thread starter jason.elias
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redrover
Guest
My impression is he was looking for type and brand, not so much if it was coordinated by personal shopper from Saks.
Any way, if I was where it gets chilly or more surface exposure protection was the norm Id still go for the Patagonia left from my real winter times I use here. Nothing like a fleece on night dives and a breathable waterproof shell if its stormy. Id never wear a sweatshirt in an ocean breeze out of the islands BTW, Moleskin shirt! Windstopper fleece, fleece lined shell. Cripes Id be climbing into my fleece pants and sweaters as fast as I could once out of a dive I bet.
For one thing Ive got items that were in daily use for 10 years still going strong. And this manufacturer has the summer type lines as well. There too in my wardrobe are skirts, shorts, slacks, shirts now 20 30 years old. And I still wear, honest! My favorite tank of all time finally was down to the shredded nubs after 15 years. (I just set it aside here this winter, still cant part with it. Maybe Ill get it stuffed.) Love the stuff. Bullet proof Baggies shorts last 20 years. The testing they do is extensive for making things work as in work work. Patagonia began as climbing clothing for climbers (an off shoot of the Black Diamond hardwear) and they havent lost that core use functionality. They invented Pit Zips, what a godsend. Ive got plenty of Patagonia, never regretted a single purchase, and every last thing came with me to the islands.
For outdoor exposure protection The North Face is second on my list, also very high quality. Pricy but another buy it once and never have to again.
Columbia is a reasonable brand with at least thought out layering capability. No where near the quality though, lasted a few seasons, fabric, zippers, snaps and Velcro a lower quality. Also they think and say they are designing along the technical line. But in reality on the more fluff/fashon side, dress up outerwear, doesnt cut it for real use outerwear. Stuff does tend to be lighter weight when carrying tho. They have the UV protection shirts and I use one for diving as I torch here (long sleeves, collar and ventilated.)
Any way, if I was where it gets chilly or more surface exposure protection was the norm Id still go for the Patagonia left from my real winter times I use here. Nothing like a fleece on night dives and a breathable waterproof shell if its stormy. Id never wear a sweatshirt in an ocean breeze out of the islands BTW, Moleskin shirt! Windstopper fleece, fleece lined shell. Cripes Id be climbing into my fleece pants and sweaters as fast as I could once out of a dive I bet.
For one thing Ive got items that were in daily use for 10 years still going strong. And this manufacturer has the summer type lines as well. There too in my wardrobe are skirts, shorts, slacks, shirts now 20 30 years old. And I still wear, honest! My favorite tank of all time finally was down to the shredded nubs after 15 years. (I just set it aside here this winter, still cant part with it. Maybe Ill get it stuffed.) Love the stuff. Bullet proof Baggies shorts last 20 years. The testing they do is extensive for making things work as in work work. Patagonia began as climbing clothing for climbers (an off shoot of the Black Diamond hardwear) and they havent lost that core use functionality. They invented Pit Zips, what a godsend. Ive got plenty of Patagonia, never regretted a single purchase, and every last thing came with me to the islands.
For outdoor exposure protection The North Face is second on my list, also very high quality. Pricy but another buy it once and never have to again.
Columbia is a reasonable brand with at least thought out layering capability. No where near the quality though, lasted a few seasons, fabric, zippers, snaps and Velcro a lower quality. Also they think and say they are designing along the technical line. But in reality on the more fluff/fashon side, dress up outerwear, doesnt cut it for real use outerwear. Stuff does tend to be lighter weight when carrying tho. They have the UV protection shirts and I use one for diving as I torch here (long sleeves, collar and ventilated.)
Dive Gear has some pretty warm pull overs, fleeces, and hoodies. They even have some matching pants and shorts for some of their gear. Little pricey though. Then again we are talking about diving, what isn't pricey.
Dive Parka .com The dive parka for scuba divers who actually go diving
Those are the best things ever. You can put them on right over your wetsuit for the surface interval and the boat ride home.
I usually wear surf shorts, a t-shirt and I have a sweatshirt or long sleeved t-shirt if I think I might get chilly but remember to take off the bathing suit before dressing. Yes, you can do it, just bring a towel and be creative.
Rachel
Those are the best things ever. You can put them on right over your wetsuit for the surface interval and the boat ride home.
I usually wear surf shorts, a t-shirt and I have a sweatshirt or long sleeved t-shirt if I think I might get chilly but remember to take off the bathing suit before dressing. Yes, you can do it, just bring a towel and be creative.
Rachel
OP
jason.elias
Contributor
my mistake. wrong forum. apologies to all!
I'm both quite vain and intensely ego driven.
I also dive dry.
I live in SoCal.
I wear Speedo brand trunks (best fitting trunks on the planet) and either a Nike or REI branded tank. NO COTTON. This is my base layer. Trunks in either Red, Black or Cobalt. Tanks in either black, gray, or canary - depending on the trunks and my mood.
Footwear has been Reefs flips. Just moved to Ocean Minded and will never go back. The HUGE leap Reefs are over Rainbows, Ocean Minded flips are over Reefs. Color is tanned leather. Sometimes I'll show up on the boat in my Merrills so I'm not schlepping tremendous loads in only my flip flops. Much better on the feet.
Over the base I wear REI-branded medium weight (expedition weight is too much) long undies in black.
DUI 300 Polartech over the REI's and then the DS.
After dive, I pull off the DUI Polartech, pull off the REI undies and I'm back in trunks, a tank and I'll toss on a camp shirt (Solomon or Columbia) color depending on trunks and tank. If Its cool I'll throw over either Nike, Adidas or Northface pull over running pants (black, gray or, well black.) If its really cool, I'll pull over a hoodie and beenie and don the Uggs. If its super cold and windy or raining, I roll in the finest dive parka on the planet: Truwest.
Bottom line: I look good at all times. Its SoCal. Its how we roll.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edit
I started thinking about this a little more.
There are three basic types of divers.
1) Those who dive. I mean, really dive (the 150+ a year crowd. I've done about 260 to 270 a year for the last several years now) We're cheap, resourceful bastards.
2) Those who dive a bit (the 50+ a year crowd. Often Vacation divers, resorts, travel, etc.) The money demo
3) Those that talk about diving (the 1 to 49 dives a year crowd. The dive by affiliation group.) This is the internet demo. The people on SB, ScubaToys, etc. The vast, VAST majority of divers are in group three.
Most of the "dive clothing" (the screen-printed toothy T's and mermaid T's and stuff with strong diving icons) is sold to group number 3, as the affiliation with diving is important to this group. They don't dive much but need to be close to diving. That's all good. Circumstances change, and sometimes these group 3 people go start diving more than twice a month and move into group 2.
Your more upscale embroidered wear and destination clothing is sold to group number 2, as they associate diving with their travels to Bonaire, PNG, Fiji and all that rot. They don't dive a lot more than group 3, but they spend a lot more than group 3. These are the 45+ crowd. Live aboards, resorts, destination diving.
The divers in group number 1 wear functional outerwear. These are the frequent local divers. Divers in group #1 are generally not caught dead in "dive rags" because they are not comfortable, are for the most part plus sized (those of us in group #1 mix in a salad and are in the gym often), are cotton, don't last, are not practical when wet and honestly we really don't care about associating with diving as much as we care about associating with an active, fit, outdoor lifestyle. We're the 1% of divers out there. We're not instructors piling on the dive counts - we're the weekend multiple dives-in-a-day AND the mid-week night divers. We don't find time to dive, we make time to dive. We've sacrificed a lot so there is enough time to get in the water often. Diving is more than an affiliation or an annual vacation. Our dive gear doesn't get put away. It rarely comes out of the truck. I wear clothes that work in a 40 degree temperature swing (high 40's in the Am when I start my dive day and in the 80's when I'm done with my 3rd or 4th dive.) I layer. I need stuff that can get salty and wet, packs small, can take washing after washing and just shake it off and work for me. Highly functional, technical clothing like this isn't sold in dive stores.
There is currently no divewear for group #1. We have adapted mountaineering gear, running gear, climbing gear and clothing from other serious, active pursuits to meet our needs.
BTW - love your site. Striking images. LiveBooks? I'm looking to launch mine before summer, and I'll likely use them as well.
You're a SoCal (Venice.... I'm in MDR), you're a pro and you travel so I know you get what I'm saying. ExOfficio, Royal Robbins, Nike, etc. Thats the stuff Group #1 wears. I highly recommend serving group #2 or group #3 with your clothing line. Its a crowded marketplace, but it would be much harder to get group #1 to move to anything "dive" related than it would to get groups #2 or #3 to move from their stale cotton sharkey, frog or dive flag T's to a more practical, functional, upscale, technical dive wear.
Good topic. Come to the SoCal Scuba Show with us. By the 7 minute mark you'll be able to tell who's in group #1, #2 or #3 simply by their body type and what they're wearing.
---
Ken
I also dive dry.
I live in SoCal.
I wear Speedo brand trunks (best fitting trunks on the planet) and either a Nike or REI branded tank. NO COTTON. This is my base layer. Trunks in either Red, Black or Cobalt. Tanks in either black, gray, or canary - depending on the trunks and my mood.
Footwear has been Reefs flips. Just moved to Ocean Minded and will never go back. The HUGE leap Reefs are over Rainbows, Ocean Minded flips are over Reefs. Color is tanned leather. Sometimes I'll show up on the boat in my Merrills so I'm not schlepping tremendous loads in only my flip flops. Much better on the feet.
Over the base I wear REI-branded medium weight (expedition weight is too much) long undies in black.
DUI 300 Polartech over the REI's and then the DS.
After dive, I pull off the DUI Polartech, pull off the REI undies and I'm back in trunks, a tank and I'll toss on a camp shirt (Solomon or Columbia) color depending on trunks and tank. If Its cool I'll throw over either Nike, Adidas or Northface pull over running pants (black, gray or, well black.) If its really cool, I'll pull over a hoodie and beenie and don the Uggs. If its super cold and windy or raining, I roll in the finest dive parka on the planet: Truwest.
Bottom line: I look good at all times. Its SoCal. Its how we roll.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edit
I started thinking about this a little more.
There are three basic types of divers.
1) Those who dive. I mean, really dive (the 150+ a year crowd. I've done about 260 to 270 a year for the last several years now) We're cheap, resourceful bastards.
2) Those who dive a bit (the 50+ a year crowd. Often Vacation divers, resorts, travel, etc.) The money demo
3) Those that talk about diving (the 1 to 49 dives a year crowd. The dive by affiliation group.) This is the internet demo. The people on SB, ScubaToys, etc. The vast, VAST majority of divers are in group three.
Most of the "dive clothing" (the screen-printed toothy T's and mermaid T's and stuff with strong diving icons) is sold to group number 3, as the affiliation with diving is important to this group. They don't dive much but need to be close to diving. That's all good. Circumstances change, and sometimes these group 3 people go start diving more than twice a month and move into group 2.
Your more upscale embroidered wear and destination clothing is sold to group number 2, as they associate diving with their travels to Bonaire, PNG, Fiji and all that rot. They don't dive a lot more than group 3, but they spend a lot more than group 3. These are the 45+ crowd. Live aboards, resorts, destination diving.
The divers in group number 1 wear functional outerwear. These are the frequent local divers. Divers in group #1 are generally not caught dead in "dive rags" because they are not comfortable, are for the most part plus sized (those of us in group #1 mix in a salad and are in the gym often), are cotton, don't last, are not practical when wet and honestly we really don't care about associating with diving as much as we care about associating with an active, fit, outdoor lifestyle. We're the 1% of divers out there. We're not instructors piling on the dive counts - we're the weekend multiple dives-in-a-day AND the mid-week night divers. We don't find time to dive, we make time to dive. We've sacrificed a lot so there is enough time to get in the water often. Diving is more than an affiliation or an annual vacation. Our dive gear doesn't get put away. It rarely comes out of the truck. I wear clothes that work in a 40 degree temperature swing (high 40's in the Am when I start my dive day and in the 80's when I'm done with my 3rd or 4th dive.) I layer. I need stuff that can get salty and wet, packs small, can take washing after washing and just shake it off and work for me. Highly functional, technical clothing like this isn't sold in dive stores.
There is currently no divewear for group #1. We have adapted mountaineering gear, running gear, climbing gear and clothing from other serious, active pursuits to meet our needs.
BTW - love your site. Striking images. LiveBooks? I'm looking to launch mine before summer, and I'll likely use them as well.
You're a SoCal (Venice.... I'm in MDR), you're a pro and you travel so I know you get what I'm saying. ExOfficio, Royal Robbins, Nike, etc. Thats the stuff Group #1 wears. I highly recommend serving group #2 or group #3 with your clothing line. Its a crowded marketplace, but it would be much harder to get group #1 to move to anything "dive" related than it would to get groups #2 or #3 to move from their stale cotton sharkey, frog or dive flag T's to a more practical, functional, upscale, technical dive wear.
Good topic. Come to the SoCal Scuba Show with us. By the 7 minute mark you'll be able to tell who's in group #1, #2 or #3 simply by their body type and what they're wearing.
---
Ken
I second the Chammyz. Warm and absorbent.
ScubaSarus
Guest
I agree with Mo. The kookiest diver I ever ended up being buddied with had dive everything stickered and plated to his car and had dive everything on all his clothing. I think a nice little sweater with a tiny dive flag is sufficient.
No wonder dive gear is so expensive catering to the jetset and yuppie crowd who dives only here and there when afforded the luxury but also wants to look to impress.
I notice nobody notices when people try and impress because they are too busy impressing themselves to notice.
No wonder dive gear is so expensive catering to the jetset and yuppie crowd who dives only here and there when afforded the luxury but also wants to look to impress.
I notice nobody notices when people try and impress because they are too busy impressing themselves to notice.
OP
jason.elias
Contributor
It seems every time I go out on a Dive Boat, I see a mish-mash in terms of what people are wearing - from Patagonia to North Face to simple sweatshirts, with the occasional Chammy's thrown in...
So, I was wondering if people had a preference on what they wore and why - specifically, I am curious not what people wear underwater, but what people are wearing before and after they Dive, on the Boat or Beach... What works? What can handle the Dive environments? What is warm and dry and comfortable? How important is the quality?
Some of the jackets by the Outdoor Outfitters are SO expensive, above $300. And though I know gear is important in Diving and worth a premium, is clothing as well?
The reason I ask, is because I am kicking around the idea of opening a store for Divers and wondering what the preference was and what I might carry clothing wise...?
***NOTE - I originally mis-posted this a few days ago in an incorrect forum (Photography - it's right under the BASIC SCUBA forum!) and though there were some great responses, I was hoping to get a more diverse response in this more general forum. My apologies to all..***
So, I was wondering if people had a preference on what they wore and why - specifically, I am curious not what people wear underwater, but what people are wearing before and after they Dive, on the Boat or Beach... What works? What can handle the Dive environments? What is warm and dry and comfortable? How important is the quality?
Some of the jackets by the Outdoor Outfitters are SO expensive, above $300. And though I know gear is important in Diving and worth a premium, is clothing as well?
The reason I ask, is because I am kicking around the idea of opening a store for Divers and wondering what the preference was and what I might carry clothing wise...?
***NOTE - I originally mis-posted this a few days ago in an incorrect forum (Photography - it's right under the BASIC SCUBA forum!) and though there were some great responses, I was hoping to get a more diverse response in this more general forum. My apologies to all..***
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