Drysuit noob questions

[Christozs]

Hi,

I am PADI AOW for a year now and i live in Denmark. Yesterday i did my dive #27 (only) with my 5mm wetsuit and a 3/5 mm vest and felt as cold as i never felt before. So from today i start looking of dry suits, inner suits and dry gloves system.

Searching around and reading here i realized that there is no top brand for it. It depends on the country, suppliers, style and type of diving you are doing.

In DK i have found a used BARE EXPEDITION HD2 TECH DRY MEN with some upgrades and less than 10 dives in ML (from most size charts in different brands i fit in ML). But Poland is next to us and for 100 euros more i could get a new SANTI. I have to admit that i really like the FE Argonaut but i find it much more expensive than the other 2.

For the BARE, the shop adviced me to add the SI-TECH dry glove system but i think i would go for the (almost twice more expensive) KUBI. Do you think it is worth it?

For inner suit i am thinking of the FE arctic (2 pieces) and when 2021 comes having the SANTI bz400x on top.

As you can see i am kinda lost, so any input would be highly appreciated!

Best,
A Greek in Denmark

 

[EireDiver606]

As long as it fits, keep you dry and suits your needs and budget - most important points.
If you want to do shallow recreational diving, maybe a neoprene or compressed neo suit is for you if you live in really cold waters.
If you want more technical, get a trilam with front entry, good pockets.
Get good training.
Don’t worry about drygloves until you have the hang of the suit buoyancy itself, it’s just an extra air bubble to cause extra hassle.

 

[lexvil]

You’ll never learn to appreciate dry gloves if you don’t spend a few dives without them. I really like the waterproof Ultima system but with care the si-tech Antares is good too, I haven’t used the Kubi but looks like a solid system.

 

[evandroairton]

I have my old faithfull DUI CNSE going strong with si tech ring system.
Have also a trilam front entry, has had an aqualung Trilight and a 6.5 mm Neo
Compressed neo and trilaminated are good! I don't recommend foam neo! Anyway, Fitting is essential.
If you look for neoprene take a look at the Cressi desert! Few Friends have bought it's a good price, and very well made! So i give it a try and just ordered one
Seaskin is also well regarded, and it's tailor made, so it's a plus
Most top brands are a bit pricey

 

[Efka76]

Many people swear that Santi is one of the best drysuit manufacturers in the world, however, their production is pricey. When I was choosing my drysuit I was looking for protection (I am diving in Scotland where water temperature is in a range of +5C / +15C) and good quality / price ratio. I found Seaskin drysuit manufacturer, which I highly recommend due to this:

1) For my drysuit with almost all available options + undersuit I paid appr. £1,500 when Santi drysuit only would cost me more than £2000.
2) All Seaskin druisuits are tailor made - this means that you will get product that fits personally to you.
3) My drysuit includes telescopic torso, replaceable neck system, all possible reinforcements (on back, arms, kevlar knee pads, etc.), trilobite knife, si-tech valves, longer drysuit inflation hose and Kubi dryglove system (I recommend Kubi system as it is one of the most reliable glove systems that are available in the market.
4) The price above also includes Aqualung rock boots as I selected drysuit with compressed neoprene socks (it is easy to dry your suit comparing to drysuit with installed boots). Also, I choose Seaskin 250g. thinsulate undersuit and Seaskin base layer. I was diving in +10C temperature and was feeling really warm.

From my analysis this was the best option for me.

 

[jmcgilroy]

"WaterProof" brand is also good and I think made in Sweden. (?)

 

[Esprise Me]

I found the options overwhelming when I was shopping for a drysuit. I ended up just buying the rental drysuit and undergarment I'd used for the course. I knew they worked well enough because I'd already tried them out, and I saved a bit of money buying used. I imagine over the next several years I'll get some ideas about what I'd like better, and then I can get whatever that is.

 

[Christozs]

As long as it fits, keep you dry and suits your needs and budget - most important points.
If you want to do shallow recreational diving, maybe a neoprene or compressed neo suit is for you if you live in really cold waters.
If you want more technical, get a trilam with front entry, good pockets.
Get good training.
Don’t worry about drygloves until you have the hang of the suit buoyancy itself, it’s just an extra air bubble to cause extra hassle.

I am more for a trilam as it is easier to travel with. Also it is more versatile so i could use it during the not so warm summer here with less undergarment.

You’ll never learn to appreciate dry gloves if you don’t spend a few dives without them. I really like the waterproof Ultima system but with care the si-tech Antares is good too, I haven’t used the Kubi but looks like a solid system.

I have been diving for 2 months here with 3.5mm gloves. I think i am ready for the dry glove system!

I have my old faithfull DUI CNSE going strong with si tech ring system.
Have also a trilam front entry, has had an aqualung Trilight and a 6.5 mm Neo
Compressed neo and trilaminated are good! I don't recommend foam neo! Anyway, Fitting is essential.
If you look for neoprene take a look at the Cressi desert! Few Friends have bought it's a good price, and very well made! So i give it a try and just ordered one
Seaskin is also well regarded, and it's tailor made, so it's a plus
Most top brands are a bit pricey

"Fitting is essential", for that reason am more for the BARE suit that it is from a dive shop in a city close by. That i could just go and try it or get it and send it back (since it is just a standard ML and not custom made for me)

Many people swear that Santi is one of the best drysuit manufacturers in the world, however, their production is pricey. When I was choosing my drysuit I was looking for protection (I am diving in Scotland where water temperature is in a range of +5C / +15C) and good quality / price ratio. I found Seaskin drysuit manufacturer, which I highly recommend due to this:

1) For my drysuit with almost all available options + undersuit I paid appr. £1,500 when Santi drysuit only would cost me more than £2000.
2) All Seaskin druisuits are tailor made - this means that you will get product that fits personally to you.
3) My drysuit includes telescopic torso, replaceable neck system, all possible reinforcements (on back, arms, kevlar knee pads, etc.), trilobite knife, si-tech valves, longer drysuit inflation hose and Kubi dryglove system (I recommend Kubi system as it is one of the most reliable glove systems that are available in the market.
4) The price above also includes Aqualung rock boots as I selected drysuit with compressed neoprene socks (it is easy to dry your suit comparing to drysuit with installed boots). Also, I choose Seaskin 250g. thinsulate undersuit and Seaskin base layer. I was diving in +10C temperature and was feeling really warm.

From my analysis this was the best option for me.

SANTI is indeed pricey, but getting it from Poland could drop the price to 1800 euros. Haven't heard the best about their customer service though and that concerns me a bit. I wouldn't want to be without a drysuit for months in case something breaks.

I never heard of Seaskin before entering this forum. I researched it a bit and it looks great how you can customize it and still get it in a much better price than the "popular" ones. How is it quality-wise? How is the customer service? My biggest issue is that it is in UK so i cannot try it beforehand. And if it custom made for me i guess there is no return option in case it doesn't fit or it is too baggy.

Looking in the options i could get i would get almost the same as you (except the trilobit knife that i have already two). Which zipper did you get? I am concerned about the rock boots though. I have the Apeks RK3 fins that fit my wet boots, i guess i should go one size up in fins with rock boots? Don't really want to sell those ones, it was so hard to find them in gray

"WaterProof" brand is also good and I think made in Sweden. (?)

I don't know where they are made, but they are also pretty popular here. I am not really a fan, they look a bit baggy and most i have seen have back entry. And they are a biiit expensive.

I found the options overwhelming when I was shopping for a drysuit. I ended up just buying the rental drysuit and undergarment I'd used for the course. I knew they worked well enough because I'd already tried them out, and I saved a bit of money buying used. I imagine over the next several years I'll get some ideas about what I'd like better, and then I can get whatever that is.

I still don't have the specialty. I would rather buy mine and train on it so that i am ready to go after the training. Also renting a drysuit for the training costs extra here.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

I've used a Bare and a Santi, both are nice. Is there a local Bare support incase of issue?

Granted, I've never gotten factory work done on a suit, the issues are all time dependent wear items. You need a cheap local seal guy, and he will be brand agnostic, so it does not matter, and that means don't let lack of Bare local site scare you away.

Besides the fit of the suit overall, confirm you have a good sized boot, so you are comfortable kicking.

I didn't buy my Santi new. If I had, I would have not been happy with the high price. I got it used and it was very worth the $400 I paid for the suit, but I did put another $400 into new boots and seals so it is essentially brand new. Great for that price.

 

[FlutterTubes]

Hi,

I am PADI AOW for a year now and i live in Denmark. Yesterday i did my dive #27 (only) with my 5mm wetsuit and a 3/5 mm vest and felt as cold as i never felt before. So from today i start looking of dry suits, inner suits and dry gloves system.

Searching around and reading here i realized that there is no top brand for it. It depends on the country, suppliers, style and type of diving you are doing.

In DK i have found a used BARE EXPEDITION HD2 TECH DRY MEN with some upgrades and less than 10 dives in ML (from most size charts in different brands i fit in ML). But Poland is next to us and for 100 euros more i could get a new SANTI. I have to admit that i really like the FE Argonaut but i find it much more expensive than the other 2.

For the BARE, the shop adviced me to add the SI-TECH dry glove system but i think i would go for the (almost twice more expensive) KUBI. Do you think it is worth it?

For inner suit i am thinking of the FE arctic (2 pieces) and when 2021 comes having the SANTI bz400x on top.

As you can see i am kinda lost, so any input would be highly appreciated!

Best,
A Greek in Denmark

Hello fellow Denmark resident!
I bought the Santi Elite+ and the memory of swiping my card still makes me shudder. It's very nice, but also expensive. Whatever you do, don't get tunnel vision, and don't get impatient, because you can buy great trilaminate drysuits used. Ask in clubs or search online in the usual danish Facebook groups.

I guess much of it comes down to your cold tolerance, and how much money you want to spend.
I don't get very cold, and I bought the Santi bz-400, and dove with it only once. I felt that it was so bulky, that I need unreasonably much led for all that insulation to go down, and stay down. I now dive with ski-underware, jogging pants and a bunch of jumpers. Also woolen socks + the 4th element socks, because having cold feet sucks.

I used my 5mm neoprene gloves for a long time, and I actually slightly prefer them to the drygloves, but ended up getting the Santi drygloves anyways, only because my armseal kept leaking.

Don't buy everything at once. You might not need drygloves at all. They are just one more thing that can fail.