Current top drysuits for rec diving

[Marie13]

Interesting debate. As a new diver, I have picked up lots of advice.

I am in the process of finding my first drysuit. As a new recreation diver, I like to purchase high-quality stuff within a reasonable budget. Saying that, I like stuff that lasts. Reading this discussion gave me a good insight into drysuits.

My budget is £1K. For some of the items discussed here, I can see that my budget is very tight.

Within my budget, I can get a Scubapro Definition Dry HD Drysuit. What is so wrong with that? It is not a DUI, Waterproof or Santi, but it should do the job?

Scubapro also got something called Everytech Dry Breathable Drysuit. Looking at the description I think the Definition Dry HD it best.

I need something that dries quickly since it will keep on my sailing vessel most of the time.

My other equipment? SP MS25, G260 long hose, Halcyon wing.

Since you're in the UK, check out Seaskin. They've just started taking orders again. They're UK based, and other SBers love their Seaskin suits.

 

[stuartv]

Interesting debate. As a new diver, I have picked up lots of advice.

I am in the process of finding my first drysuit. As a new recreation diver, I like to purchase high-quality stuff within a reasonable budget. Saying that, I like stuff that lasts. Reading this discussion gave me a good insight into drysuits.

My budget is £1K. For some of the items discussed here, I can see that my budget is very tight.

Within my budget, I can get a Scubapro Definition Dry HD Drysuit. What is so wrong with that? It is not a DUI, Waterproof or Santi, but it should do the job?

Scubapro also got something called Everytech Dry Breathable Drysuit. Looking at the description I think the Definition Dry HD it best.

I need something that dries quickly since it will keep on my sailing vessel most of the time.

My other equipment? SP MS25, G260 long hose, Halcyon wing.

Not sure what your other gear has to do with this?

Anyway, if you're in the UK, Seaskin is a no-brainer. Particularly given your budget.

Dry Suits from Seaskin Custom Drysuits home page - Seaskin Custom Diving Suits

Their base trilam starts at GBP$499, including VAT.

All their suits are made to measure and excellent quality (I have a Nova and an Ultra).

I don't know the SP Definition Dry HD suit. But, I do know that the only people I know who dive ScubaPro drysuits are people who get them for a substantial discount - e.g. Key Man or shop employee pricing. In other words, I don't know anyone who has or would pay normal price for a ScubaPro drysuit. ScubaPro makes very good regs. I don't think that expertise carries over into making drysuits...

 

[T Mogle]

I don't know the SP Definition Dry HD suit. But, I do know that the only people I know who dive ScubaPro drysuits are people who get them for a substantial discount - e.g. Key Man or shop employee pricing. In other words, I don't know anyone who has or would pay a normal price for a ScubaPro drysuit. ScubaPro makes very good regs.

Thanks that have been my impression too. The seaskin looks got. Seen others with it. I have to say I am a fan of US-made products. With shipping and other taxes, it quickly gets out of my budget for drysuits.

Been looking at GUI Coronado. I think that is their starter drysuit. I like it because it is simple and without pockets. If or when I need pockets, I can add something to my hardness. Since I am UK based, seaskin looks like a good sensible option. I am not known to go with the flow. Thanks again.

 

[stuartv]

Thanks that have been my impression too. The seaskin looks got. Seen others with it. I have to say I am a fan of US-made products. With shipping and other taxes, it quickly gets out of my budget for drysuits.

Been looking at GUI Coronado. I think that is their starter drysuit. I like it because it is simple and without pockets. If or when I need pockets, I can add something to my hardness. Since I am UK based, seaskin looks like a good sensible option. I am not known to go with the flow. Thanks again.

The base model Seaskin suits do not have pockets, either. Just an FYI.

 

[Valyngar]

Since you were asking about top drysuits, Ursuit is one of them. Depending your needs there are different fabrics Fabrics · Ursuit. One endurance is their top model, but if you want lighter suit then One Performance is better. Cost will be with all add-ons about 2300 euros. One Endurance · · Ursuit
They had even better model Kevlar, but that is discontinued. Heard it was leak prone when left to sun. Still have mine, but I keep it out of sun always and maintain as good as one can, so 8 years without leaking. Nice about it is that it breathes better in warm days on surface.

 

[BoltSnap]

Thanks that have been my impression too. The seaskin looks got. Seen others with it. I have to say I am a fan of US-made products. With shipping and other taxes, it quickly gets out of my budget for drysuits.

Been looking at GUI Coronado. I think that is their starter drysuit. I like it because it is simple and without pockets. If or when I need pockets, I can add something to my hardness. Since I am UK based, seaskin looks like a good sensible option. I am not known to go with the flow. Thanks again.

I would consider O3, www.othree.co.uk, before seaskin especially since you live in the UK. They have a wider range of suits for all budgets with stellar reputation for quality and customer service. I lived in the UK for several months in 2019 and I have found that O3 has excellent reputation amongst UK divers and from my dealings with them. I have met more people using and praising O3 suits than seaskin by a wide margin. The noise about Seaskin on SB isn't representative of the full picture as I have come to know it living in the UK and communicating with advanced recreational and technical divers there.

 

[stuartv]

I would consider O3, www.othree.co.uk, before seaskin especially since you live in the UK. They have a wider range of suits for all budgets with stellar reputation for quality and customer service. I lived in the UK for several months in 2019 and I have found that O3 has excellent reputation amongst UK divers and from my dealings with them. I have met more people using and praising O3 suits than seaskin by a wide margin. The noise about Seaskin on SB isn't representative of the full picture as I have come to know it living in the UK and communicating with advanced recreational and technical divers there.

@T Mogle indicated he needs a suit that dries quickly. That would suggest a trilam, versus any kind of neoprene.

He also mentioned a budget of around 1000 pounds.

If I'm not mistaken, O3 only have 1 trilam model and it starts at GBP$1795.

A made-to-measure Seaskin trilam starts at GBP$499.

And you would really suggest him to consider an O3 before a Seaskin??

O3 suits are more widely known and thus more widely used. Do you really mean to suggest that just because they are more widely known, that means they are better?

If their suits are actually better than Seaskin, surely you can say something about the suits themselves that explains why they are better? Something more than "people know them more and more people use them."

I mean Budweiser beer is more widely known and consumed than many beers I know - beers that I would say are vastly better quality than Budweiser.... And yet there are also many beer drinkers that would still choose Budweiser over the beers that I would choose.

 

[formernuke]

I mean Budweiser beer is more widely known and consumed than many beers I know - beers that I would say are vastly better quality than Budweiser.

Budweiser is what you pee out after drinking an actual beer.

 

[Umuntu]

I would consider O3, www.othree.co.uk, before seaskin especially since you live in the UK. They have a wider range of suits for all budgets with stellar reputation for quality and customer service. I lived in the UK for several months in 2019 and I have found that O3 has excellent reputation amongst UK divers and from my dealings with them. I have met more people using and praising O3 suits than seaskin by a wide margin. The noise about Seaskin on SB isn't representative of the full picture as I have come to know it living in the UK and communicating with advanced recreational and technical divers there.

Yes, in the UK O3 has a fantastic reputation for their pre-crushed neoprene drysuits, especially amongst experienced BSAC divers who I know.

O3's 3 year no-nonsense warranty (excluding dry zips) on their recreational neoprene drysuits is a particular selling point with UK based divers.

However, most of these divers want pre-crushed neoprene drysuits, with some inherent insulation, for UK conditions, rather than tri-lam which is often seen as being more fragile.

 

[stuartv]

For the record, I am NOT saying that O3 suits are not better quality than Seaskin. What I am saying is that I don't think the reasons given really make that case.

Also, the guy specifically said his budget and needs and I think a Seaskin trilam IS a very good quality suit, it fits his budget, and it meets the needs he expressed. Completely UNLIKE anything from O3.