Who Makes The BEST CLOTHING FOR DIVING?

[seaducer]

If it is cold out, I have a thick North Face sweatshirt I like, or a fleece, they keep you warm. If it is really nasty out I will wear a ski jacket and pants if really really nasty, water proof, warm, multitaskers. I like Columbia or North Face, pricey but I have a 10 yo Columbia jacket that still looks new and keeps me warm and dry...

 

[sea nmf]

Some kind of fabric that won't show the wet suit under it. I have a dress that is sort of a jersey that fits the bill. But have only found one and it has become my dive uniform.

Some of the women around here use those shorts that won't show the wet suit, but I haven't seen any tops like that.

Of course, this is tropical diving.

 

[Cacia]

I usually take the wet suit bottoms off and forget them on the boat. I don't like a wet fanny. If I were a guy, I'd wear a speedo under the board shorts and not dive in those billowy bloomers.

 

[sea nmf]

I usually take the wet suit bottoms off and forget them on the boat. I don't like a wet fanny. If I were a guy, I'd wear a speedo under the board shorts and not dive in those billowy bloomers.

Some of us would not subject others on the boat to bikini wearing.

Hard enough that you have to see what isn't covered . . . .

 

[Hickdive]

As Leader of my Dive Team I am absolutely responsible for ensuring that every element of our equipment is optimized for performance. As a guardian of our Earth’s resources I must also ensure that our equipment choices do not negatively impact the fragile biosphere.

That’s why I insist on merino wool foundation-garments for all our dry-diving missions. One-piece, cave-cut with a full-length double-ended YKK nylon zipper. Imported New Zealand merino wool only, no other merino can provided the necessary fiber/weight ratio needed when you’re up against some of the toughest diving conditions known to man.

Nothing else comes close for flexibility. My Team regularly runs the five miles to our diving objective and with full kit that means only one thing – perspiration. 100% Pure New Zealand Merino wool is the only fabric that will wick that moisture away and keep us warm when the temperature drops to ten below in winter or keep us cool when it climbs into the low nineties in summer and then make the transition to keep our core-temperature absolutely steady when we enter the extreme underwater environment.

Color is, of course, vital as Team Leader I must be seen, instantly and without question, so I wear red. Lower team members wear yellow with black bands across their back signifying their experience.

Feet – vital in all diving and non-diving situations; therefore they are protected when out of the water. For five mile insertions to the dive-objective you cannot get better than British Army Soldier-95 Pattern Boots. They are difficult to source but, when you’re running with nearly 150# of doubles and gear on your back, you need the best – no compromise allowed.

Head – Russian Army-issue rabbit-fur, with flaps. No argument; if you think you know better then you’re just kidding yourself, you’re a loser who wears cotton dive Ts and dives for fun. You’re a sub-optimal low-life and you don’t get on my team. Period.

Get the right kit in your diving apparel merchandising unit and you’ll get real divers like me and my team fulfilling our retail needs in your vicinity.

 

[ScubaTexan]

---

---

A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

The other dive apparel thread has been merged into this one.

---

 

[Rick Murchison]

I'm against misery.
Topside I dress to avoid it.
If it's cold, I wear cold weather gear.
If it's hot, I wear as little as modesty and good taste allow.
If it's really hot, I wear loose fitting white cotton long sleeve shirt & trousers & broad brim hat.
If it's raining or wet due to spray, I wear a rainsuit or stay under cover.
etc...
Being the stylish fellow that I am, I tend towards the Army surplus store rather than brands... with the possible exception of the Tilley hat.

Tommy & Ricky see a Whale Shark! (Michelle Day photo)

Rick

 

[scubaren]

I guess I should specify not for UNDERWATER, but actually for on the boat or beach. The before and after of Diving. I see a lot of people huddled and shivering (at least here in SoCal) in simple sweatshirts and was wondering if there was a preference..

From the outside in:

Windbreaker or Gortex jacket
Fleece pullover or zip (I prefer zip) scuba insignia would rock!
wicking underneath layer = no cotton

I am a diver in the northeast with prior backpacking experience. The key to warmth has been layers. Also a fleece hat and gloves help if it is really cold.

 

[jason.elias]

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, doesn’t cut it for real use outerwear.

It's funny, though I couldn't put my finger on any specific reason, I feel the same way about Columbia as well and don't see them as high quality as North Face or Patagonia... Course, I could be simply a product of a well run marketing campaign on NF and Patagonia's part...

 

[jason.elias]

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.

THIS was VERY relevant info. And something I have wondered about. And though group #1 might not be the largest group, they often are the industry leaders whom groups #2 and #3 look to for advice on their Apparel and Gear... So serving them, though not necessarily the largest demographic, in the end might lead to the greatest sales impact...

BTW - love your site. Striking images. LiveBooks? I'm looking to launch mine before summer, and I'll likely use them as well.

Nope. It's called Neon Sky. WAAAYYY more versatile and WAAYYY less expensive than Livebooks. If you are interested, let me know and I can into you to the owner Jayson Singe. He's very cool...

Good topic. Come to the SoCal Scuba Show with us.

I might take you up on that. Although, I might have more questions for you...

Thanks for the great response!

-jason