Review Seaskin Nova drysuit
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drk5036
Contributor
Anyone have any comments on the "convenience zip" option? I was thinking it would be a nice option, since I'm not interested in a pee-valve, and generally do relatively short, 30 minute, dives in cold water. However, I've looked at both the 150 gm undersuit garments on their site, as well as the weezle undergarments...it seems like they don't have a fly? How would you make use of the convenient zip if you have to take the top of the suit off to unzip your undersuit to use it?? Or am I missing something?
OP
That is a good question. I don't know the answer.
But, I do note that the Seaskin undersuits have a 2-way zipper. So, MAYBE you could open the convenience zip, reach in and raise the bottom of the zipper on the undersuit, and then fish out your wedding tackle and do your business.
It does seem (to me) like Seaskin are pretty intelligent in the design of their suits, so I would THINK that their convenience zipper option is actually usable. Somehow.
Personally, I dived dry for a couple of years before I finally started using a pee valve. Now, I would not have another suit without one!
Divectionist
Contributor
I have the convenience zipper plus cover zipper, and I've used it three times. It's all I need for my diving because I never have to go in the water (60-90min dives) but always during the SI.
I wear two-piece thermals, so can't comment on Seaskin undersuit design, but in general the opening of the zipper is quite small, so it is beneficial if you don't have to dig around too much. Being able to lift the undergarment top and pull down the pants to get your friend out is easier than trying to fumble it out of some fly, especially if wearing a couple layers on your legs, although both is obviously possible. If there is no way to get to where you need to get to through the small opening of the convenience zipper, you may as well not have it and use the front zipper for the whole ordeal.
One more word of warning, those zipper teeth are sharp
I wear two-piece thermals, so can't comment on Seaskin undersuit design, but in general the opening of the zipper is quite small, so it is beneficial if you don't have to dig around too much. Being able to lift the undergarment top and pull down the pants to get your friend out is easier than trying to fumble it out of some fly, especially if wearing a couple layers on your legs, although both is obviously possible. If there is no way to get to where you need to get to through the small opening of the convenience zipper, you may as well not have it and use the front zipper for the whole ordeal.
One more word of warning, those zipper teeth are sharp
Let go of the fear, pee valve is the way to go. If you will never do more than 30 minutes you don’t or shouldn’t need either.
Divectionist
Contributor
There are extra pre- and post-dive steps to consider with the valve, so unless required routinely or for future-proofing, I would still go with the zipper. Can always add it later.
drk5036
Contributor
I guess my main consideration was if it's cold, it would be more comfortable to not have to take the top-half off, and I could stay warm in the drysuit. Another consideration is I'm looking at the Ultra, which is back-zip only, and requires a partner to get you out. Not a huge deal, but just considering all my options. I know most people say once you go pee-valve, you never go back but...i'm not there yet.
drk5036
Contributor
I am thinking its maybe better to save the ~100 dollars for a small zipper, and just buy the braces and half-undress after the dive.
drk5036
Contributor
Just remember with a convenience zip, you're adding another significant ingress point into the suit. Most suits either leak from a pinhole, or from a zipper, either not closed all the way, or some sort of failure. Zipper cost is not insignificant either, so factor that repair into the maintenance cost of the suit as well.
Personally, I say either get a p-valve or just take the top off. It's not worth the hassle of the other stuff, and I take umbrage at them calling it a "convenience" zip. Besides, you really wanna risk getting your junk caught in a drysuit zipper? I mean, no kink shaming here, but I can see about a million ways that it ends up on the back alley Amsterdam side of the equation. The safe word is banana.....
Personally, I say either get a p-valve or just take the top off. It's not worth the hassle of the other stuff, and I take umbrage at them calling it a "convenience" zip. Besides, you really wanna risk getting your junk caught in a drysuit zipper? I mean, no kink shaming here, but I can see about a million ways that it ends up on the back alley Amsterdam side of the equation. The safe word is banana.....
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