Dry suit for both Tropical and Cold water Dives

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Why would you want the hassle of a dry suit or any suit in warm waters.

The diving season is during winter in Karachi where temperature gets at 50 Fahrenheit (maybe not so cold with west perspective but pretty cold for me at least) . 5mm Wet suit is stretch battle to put on plus it's not so flexible and after 50 minutes it starts getting cold. So going dry for flexibility, longer comfortable dive as well as better buoyancy.

---------- Post added January 22nd, 2013 at 03:18 PM ----------

Because "warm" water is still 20 degrees colder than my body temperature and I have no (<3%) natural insulation. Not everyone is built the same way or has the same tolerance to cold. We do all still like diving though, apparently.

To the OP:
I haven't dived my suit in warm waters, yet, but I did try it on a couple times on my last trip to FL. The DUI TLS350 (what I have) will be a good option in warm or dry water, I think. In warm waters just wear a rash guard or dive skin (to prevent chafing). In cold water wear thicker thermal undergarments.

Is cost a factor in your decision to look at the 30/30?

Yes. Budget of under $1500

---------- Post added January 22nd, 2013 at 03:25 PM ----------

Thx all for advice and suggestion.
So I think the verdict is in favor of TLS and Fusion sport. Any other should I add to comparison list?
Do consider it should be light, flexible with enough room to add on insulation but at same time not look like a sack!
 
You probably don't need a dry or wet suit for tropical waters. If you do it may be best to go with a skin or 3mm shorty/full. The skin offers protection from jelly fish etc. If its warmth you're after during multiple dives get the shorty or a 3mm full. I really think this is one of those situations where you should get the best tool for the job.

I personally use a 3mm full wetsuit, but many dive in only shorts or shorts and a rash guard. My 3mm is more for practice than anything else so I maintain familiarity with the dynamics of a wetsuit at depths within the water column. As a new diver this aspect was essential for me.
 
cnar, if there is one thing I've learned in the last seven years, it's that thermal tolerance varies. If the OP says she needs a dry suit for the diving she wants to do, she probably does.
 
Azhar if the temperatures really are down to 50F (10C) that is not "tropical" at all!
 
You probably don't need a dry or wet suit for tropical waters.

What you really meant to say is that you generally don't need something for tropical waters. The last time I was in 78-80 degree water I was in a 4/3 with a 5/3 hooded vest and still got cold toward the end of my second dive.

The right tool for the job often is a dry suit, and it's really not that much more complex to manage than wetsuit compression is.
 
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You probably don't need a dry or wet suit for tropical waters. If you do it may be best to go with a skin or 3mm shorty/full. The skin offers protection from jelly fish etc. If its warmth you're after during multiple dives get the shorty or a 3mm full. I really think this is one of those situations where you should get the best tool for the job.

I personally use a 3mm full wetsuit, but many dive in only shorts or shorts and a rash guard. My 3mm is more for practice than anything else so I maintain familiarity with the dynamics of a wetsuit at depths within the water column. As a new diver this aspect was essential for me.

What "cnar" needs is probably different than the needs from "captain", or "TSandM" or Joe blow... Divers are not a 4mm bolt that requires a 4mm wrench to operate... the right tool for the thermal comfort of one person very seldom can be defined by someone else.

If anything I rather err on the side of warmth, just pulling one side of the hood to let fresh water in can lower your total temperature fairly quick, and going wet there are a million ways to cool off (unfortunately) I wish there were that many option to warm up.

I can accept laughter about being a wimp so much easier than supposedly "reasons" why I don't need a thicker undergarment, an additional layer of rubber, or whatever extra thermal protection.
 
Tropical dry suits are great. I dive my 30/30 everywhere and if I had to give it up I'd probably quit diving in "warm" water. But it would be worthless in cooler water. No boots (but you can add, but that would make it less appealing for warm water) no pockets (can add, but not recommended) no "warm neck" (can possibly be added). As others have mentioned, it's cut closer for thinner under garments; cutting it bigger for cold/thicker undergarments would make it unwieldy for warm water. Tropical suits are made for warm water - modifying one to make it work for cold water will yield a suit that's not appropriate for either. My 30/30 does have suspenders.
 
Why would you not recommend pockets? I had the small Halcyon pockets put on mine and they haven't caused any issues that I can tell.
 
Why would you not recommend pockets? I had the small Halcyon pockets put on mine and they haven't caused any issues that I can tell.

Since it's lighter weight fabric (than say TLS-350) it's less robust in terms of handling things being sewn onto the suit. PS - not me that doesn't recommend pockets, but DUI which doesn't even offer pockets, kneepads, etc on the suit. (At least they didn't/wouldn't when I bought mine.)
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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