First time Dry suit buyer needs help!

[justin-branam]

First of all, i do live in houston but still NEED a dry suit. i get cold (uncontrolled shivers) at about 78 degrees after about 15 minutes. So, i want to buy a dry suit, and need advice on which way to go. i definitely want a tri-lam or equivalent (like the nex-gen), but i have a budget of about $650 (not including undergarmets). it would be nice to have some sort of boot built in, and want the rubber neck and wrist seals. Is there anyone who makes a suit that would fit into this category. And how do the nexgens work? are they a type of tri-lam? and are there rubber wrist seals?, i cant tell from the picture. i like the BARE nexgen light, because its about $515, but i woud like to hear your opinions. its unfortunate there isnt a shop around me that keeps them in stock, so i am relying on you guys to help me out. Thanks a bunch.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Well, your best bet with that budget, is to hit ebay, and you might be lucky. Or, try a neoprene drysuit. They tend to be alot cheaper. Look around you might find one on sale somewhere... Maybe others will have some ideas on where to find a cheap drysuit.

 

[Genesis]

IMHO the Bare NEX-GEN is one of the best "entry level" suits out there. I dove one for a winter while spearing and it worked fine - when I sold it you couldn't tell that it had been used, other than a few stains from rust and such.

The other option is the Dacor suits that are around right now in the $400 range, IF THEY FIT. If you're small enough to fit one, basically - all the larges and bigger are long gone.

 

[justin-branam]

a little more than i wanted to spend, but it comes with everything. what is your guys opinion on this setup? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3647030852&category=1300

 

[Genesis]

a little more than i wanted to spend, but it comes with everything. what is your guys opinion on this setup? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3647030852&category=1300

IMHO the NexGen is a tougher suit. Whites uses a bilaminate fabric that I personally didn't care for when I checked them out.

You can easily get the NexGen + undies for less than this.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Ehhh... I would pass at that price. I say hold out until you see an Andy's or even a Bare...

Good Luck...

 

[justin-branam]

Ehhh... I would pass at that price. I say hold out until you see an Andy's or even a Bare...

Good Luck...

im getting the feeling that the BARE's are really nice suits?

 

[Genesis]

The NexGen is an inexpensive suit, but its very well made. I beat the snot out of mine spearfishing for a year and failed to do it any harm. Its basic,
but it works.

It does not compare against something like a DUI, but then again it doesn't cost like one either!

 

[LUBOLD8431]

im getting the feeling that the BARE's are really nice suits?

I would not call a BARE a really nice suit. I would hold that for a DUI or an ANdy's. However, quite a few people on this board have them and like them. So, to each his own. FOr your price range, you might be able to find one.

 

[Genesis]

You aren't going to be able to get a good ANDY's or DUI for $650, and definitely not with underwear (which means you really can't spend more than $500 or so for the suit.)

My TLS350 is awesome compared to my former BARE NexGEN, but then again it was a LOT more expensive.