Dry Suit - Neoprene or shell - which is better (with poll :))

[dvleemin]

Hi,
In the relatively near future I'm going to get a dry suit for myself and my fiancee. While I don't find it too cold in the water in my 7ml farmer johns, the thought of not having to be wet when out of the water has a real appeal to me

My question is, what is better - neoprene of shell suits? My intial thoughts are that I'd rather have a shell suit - its easy to get in and out of. For warmth, you can simply vary the amount/type of clothes that you're wearing.

I would really appreciate any and all opinions on this.

Thanks,

Darryl

 

[NINman]

Was talking to one of my LDS about this very topic. He stated that Shell suits are better. The reason being Neoprean keeps you warm by the air bubbles in the foam, which compress at depth. Shell suits allow you to use them with just you trunks or a full winter garment. From what he was saying is that Dry Suits have gotten cheaper. Some are going for around 600-700 US Funds.

I feel that the shells are better also for that very reason.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

neither is *better*. you need to decide what is *better* for
you. here is some information:

1) neoprene is inherently bouyant so some 'extra' weight
needs to be part of your gear

2) neoprene has insulative qualities than a shell suit does not
have (these qualities are somewhat eliminated at depth when
the suit is compressed)

3) neoprene stretches better than many shell suits

4) neoprene tends to 'fit more closely' than a shell and therefore
might be less 'drag'

5) neoprene absorbs water and 'becomes heavy' and dries
more slowly than a shell suit

6) neoprene is not as easily or quickly repaired as most shell
suits (the neo must be dry)

7) shell suits offer no bouyancy, no insulation, little stretch,
but do dry quickly, are "lighter" and more adaptable to
various water temps.

8) rip or develop a leak in a shell suit and you will/might be in a
bag of water PDQ with wet undies and a suit that offers no
insulation OR flotation

9) rip a neoprene suit and it will accept some water but it also
offers some insulation on its own AND it has some inherent
bouyancy

I have used both and appreciate them for their *strengths*. I know some that LOVE neoprene, and will use nothing else, especially for diving COOOOOLD water (like 39 degree water in a cave)

 

[dvleemin]

Thanks guys,
Ninman - I don't think neoprene actually absorbs water - if that was the case then if you submerged a suit long enough it would eventually go all the way through.

From the looks of all your points, it does seem like a shell suit is the way to go . . .

Anyone else care to comment?

Darryl

 

[Green_Manelishi]

the neoprene itself (likely) does NOT absorb water; however
the 'covering and lining' that most possess DOES and it takes
some time to dry AND adds weight to the suit when it is
wet. Add to that the 'refrigeration' effect of the wet dry-suit
and it can become uncomfortable.

To ask a question: when was the last time you saw a
neoprene suit (wet or otherwise) that was just the neoprene
with no nylon or other lining or covering, etc?

 

[NINman]

Green_Manelishi said what I was meaning when I said Foam. The reason wetsuits keep you warm isn't because water is warmed between the suit and your skin, it is because of the air bubbles in the neoprean. Like Green_Manelishi stated that is why there is nylon linings in wetsuits. Again the other posters made some excelant points.

 

[Uncle Pug]

We could go through the whole run down of why hazmat divers use vulcanized rubber suits (w/helmets and SSA)...

And why geoduck diggers prefer neoprene (w/KBM and SSA)....

And why....

Shoot... it depends upon your diving....

But I prefer shell suits because:

1) They do not have inherent buoyancy to screw you up on ascent as you try to control the gas and the expanding material with a neo suit.

2) Their ability to thermally protect you is not compromised by depth because you reply upon your undergarment to do that.

3) Lightweight and easy to dry & repair they travel well.

4) Much easier to don over adequate undergarments.

5) Less weight required to descend and stay down when at the 10 foot stop.

 

[Bob3]

I have the "luxury" of owing & diving several types of suits.
Like the Green Man pointed out, each has their respective strong points.
For icewater, there's nothing like a regular neoprene suit, it'll keep you toasty in all the right places. The depth compression can be annoying, but they lose less buoyancy than a farmer john wetsuit, so that part isn't "really" that big of an issue, though you do get a little spoiled with the minimal adjustment needed by a shell.
Shell suits can be very light weight & fast drying, & the vulcanized rubber variety can handle some brutal abuse & contamination.
I kind of favor compressed neoprene myself, gives the best of both worlds.
The 2 suits I use the most are a 1/4" Unisuit (for the cold stuff) and a rubber Viking (contaminated)
I still like wetsuits so I can utilize the suit warmer.

 

[Arduous]

I have to throw in my vote for the shell suits. Light weight, fast drying, and no inherent buoyancy.

You can pretty much dive with then in any temperature water anywhere.

………………Arduous………………

 

[The Chairman]

Which shell suit do you dive and why?