Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Boarderguy]

My suit came today.
The good:
-Love the build quality and the color.
-The fit of both the Nova and the 150g undergarment are good.
-I received a Trilobite I didn’t order. I'll let them know.

The bad:
-No QuickNeck tool.
-The SS base layer top is way too small. Not sure if it’s worth returning.
-The zippers are balky as h***. Need to lube them and work them in a lot.
-I had an absolute fight donning/doffing the suit. I’m older and I ain’t limber anymore. Need more practice and lube options.
-The neck opening of the SS short neck hood I bought is impossibly small. Needs to be stretched.

Other: Would probably not order pee hole in undergarment as there is a double sipper that allows one to run tubing through sipper opening. The SS base layers aren't too impressive, but they're cheap.

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Good looking suit! Not sure if you noticed but there's an old man in it. Email them about the missing tool and they'll get it corrected. The base layer should fit snugly imo. They are glorified long John's but ate fantastic for the price. The hood saga is exactly what I've read from everyone else. Just put it on a tank and wait for it to stretch and relax a bit. I talc'd my suit initially and then maybe a couple more times. I haven't done it in the last 30 dives at least, just not needed for me.

For donning make sure you have the clip undone for the telescopic torso. I've managed to get out with it clipped, but in would be nearly impossible. Take you time and let get used to the suit.

Pee valve hose routing: the hole they put into the undergarments isn't big enough for a dry break valve. Use the lower zip and route it up and into your undergarment and then down to your unit.

 

[Moonhowler]

I don't know if you've noticed yet, but SS just hiked prices again. I've got stuff sitting in my basket and I just noticed. The Apex RK3 Fins just jumped from 111 to 133. The Kubi-Icelandic Wool gloves jumped from 37 to 44.

EDIT: Sorry. I can't see how to delete this message. The problem was the SS website lost my address and reverted to giving me prices with VAT included. However, I will say the suit will be more expensive than I thought because I thought the denomination was Euros rather than Pounds.

 

[admikar]

Question is, are they hiking the price due to their suppliers or are they taking the opportunity of increased popularity. IIRC, Santi was the same.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Question is, are they hiking the price due to their suppliers or are they taking the opportunity of increased popularity. IIRC, Santi was the same.

That sucks.

I blame @stuartv for the popularity and price hikes. Curse you Stuart

 

[Litefoot]

Good looking suit! Not sure if you noticed but there's an old man in it.

Good grief! I’ve never taken a picture of myself in the mirror before. I feel like a cheap internet attention seeker.

 

[Dont_Hold_Your_Breath]

The bad:
-No QuickNeck tool.
-The SS base layer top is way too small. Not sure if it’s worth returning.

What size did you base layer did you order and what size shirt do you normally wear?

I’m 6’ 2” and 170lbs. I normally wear 32x 32 pants and a large T-shirt size. Wondering if I ordered the right size seaskin base layers:
-Seaskin Tech Base - Legs – L
-Seaskin Tech Base - Top Long Sleeve - M

 

[Litefoot]

What size did you base layer did you order and what size shirt do you normally wear?

I’m 6’ 2” and 170lbs. I normally wear 32x 32 pants and a large T-shirt size. Wondering if I ordered the right size seaskin base layers:
-Seaskin Tech Base - Legs – L
-Seaskin Tech Base - Top Long Sleeve - M

I’m 5’10” 180 lb. A L is usually a snug but comfortable fit for me. But this size L is uncomfortably tight. I would size up.
Edit: TBH, I’d just cancel the base layers and get something better.

 

[Moonhowler]

QUESTION ON CONVENIENCE ZIPPER: I've been debating getting a convenience zip. I go through periods where things are just unpredictable for me, and I need relief IMMEDIATELY. But if the front zip provides access without having to wrestle out of the suit it's probably not necessary. Is there easy enough access with just the front zip on the trilam?

 

[lexvil]

QUESTION ON CONVENIENCE ZIPPER: I've been debating getting a convenience zip. I go through periods where things are just unpredictable for me, and I need relief IMMEDIATELY. But if the front zip provides access without having to wrestle out of the suit it's probably not necessary. Is there easy enough access with just the front zip on the trilam?

Pee valve, sounds scary but it’s not

 

[Litefoot]

So the Nova comes with a stick of beeswax. Is there a better lube I should try? Looks like AquaSeal makes a YKK lubricant.

Also, I see no way to get the on/off valve from Trigon stuffed into the pee valve tubing other than a bit of heat to soften the tube. Thoughts?

@Boarderguy I followed you suggestion and have the SS hood stretched over my HP100. Thanks for the idea. Only problem is the tank now looks like a snowman without arms.