poll: drysuits

[Thalassamania]

What you want to ask for is the viking "dog collar," It's commercial/military gear so there's a pretty good chance that your local Techspert may not be familiar with it. If that's the case PM me and I'll rustle up the Viking part numbers.

 

[Les]

(My wrist seals are detachable and easy to replace. I bring an extra pair with me in my save-a-dive kit.)

please detail the detachable wrist seals. I am curious.

 

[Thalassamania]

Viking cuffs, for example, can be assembled with the seal in the middle and can be just press fit together.

 

[flowerpecker]

I dive in Alaska (water temps 2-7C) and currently use two different O'Three suits: the MSF500tb with Fourth Element Arctic Xerotherm undies (my winter outfit) and an Ri200 with an Oceanic storm one piece undy (my summer outfit). Both the suits are rear-entry neoprene, with neoprene wrist and neck seals, and attached boots. I love the suits - they keep me warm and dry (most important!). However, given my druthers, I'd choose latex wrist seals - easier/cheaper to self-replace, and attaching dry gloves doesn't totally ruin the seal if you take the dry gloves off; and I'd go with neoprene sock feet plus rock boots, again primarily because it's easier to just buy a new pair of rock boots than it is to replace/repair the attached boots.

Before the O'Threes, I used an Oceanic Aerdura Titanium - membrane suit with a cordura-like outer layer and several butyl rubber laminate layers in between. Latex wrist and neck seals. Great suit, lighter weight than the neoprene, just didn't fit me quite right so I sold it. I used the same undies with this suit as I'm using now, and rarely felt cold though I was never as toasty warm as I am with the neoprene suits.

If you think you might want dry gloves, I'd definitely get a suit with latex seals. Even if you remove the dry glove system and your latex seals are trashed, they're not hard to replace.

My two cents...

 

[glbirch]

Bare XCD2 hypercomressed neoprene, bought to replace an old Viking (also a very solid suit). Went with the compressed for reduced bouyency changes at depth and for durabitliy. Got the attached boots because rock boots don't come in my size. Front entry, I can actually get in and out of it myself. I like it over-all, but I wouldn't trust their sizing charts. Sized for someone up to 4" taller than I am (supposedly) but I had to have the sleeves extended 3".