Drysuit vs Wetsuit

[uncfnp]

If you plan to pursue local diving and have the funds then go for the drysuit. I don't have much drysuit experience but the little I have made me want a tropical drysuit even for my warm water dives. Staying dry while diving is wonderful, especial for that SI. And I personally hate thick wersuits. I will dive a little cool just to stay out of a 5 ml never mind 7. But that's just me.

 

[Storker]

the comfort and safety advantages for you are going to be worth it

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet: Drysuit = instant redundant buoyancy.

 

[RandomGuy1]

I agree with tbone. If you have little to no cold tolerance you will be miserable in a wet suit in cold water no matter the thickness. Save your mondey and go straight for the custom fitted drysuit.

 

[lukemil]

I second Marie13 -- Dive Right In Scuba are the drysuit experts. I use them even though I am in New York. If you are anywhere nearby, go visit. Their advice and prices are great.

 

[jseyfert3]

My Plainfield dive shop is Dive Right in Scuba, so if you're looking at a drysuit, make a drive up on a Saturday and talk to Chris, the manager.

I second Marie13 -- Dive Right In Scuba are the drysuit experts. I use them even though I am in New York. If you are anywhere nearby, go visit. Their advice and prices are great.

They are 2 hrs, 7 minutes for me, so basically an afternoon trip.

Hmm...hmm...still would have to wait a bit and save up.

 

[Marie13]

Note, for custom, it can take at least a month.

If you go up on a Saturday, call in advance to make sure Chris is working. Mike, the owner, is fab, too, but he's not in the shop on weekends.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've never owned a drysuit. Wet vs. Dry depends on cold tolerance, where you plan to dive of course (for many people in the north going wet means not diving for a chunk of the year) and costs (I've heard a replacement drysuit zipper can cost like $300). You can put these in any order you like.

 

[Storker]

I've heard a replacement drysuit zipper can cost like $300

Sounds about right. OTOH, if you maintain your gear, a zipper can last at least one hundred, usually several hundred, dives.

Diving is so expensive that the cost of replacing a DS zipper once every ~300 dives doesn't cause even a blip on my budget. I spend a lot more on boat fees (for boat dives) and gasoline (for boat AND shore dives).

 

[Doby45]

Keep your eyes peeled, I know of a L/XL Fusion Sport right now with 10 dives on it for sale for $400, stupid cheap.

 

[RandomGuy1]

I mentioned the fusion earlier due to it's wide size range, but then I pulled up the size chart. At 6'5" and 155lbs he would need a 4xl to suit his height, and the other dimensions on that suit would swallow him whole. A custom suit would probably be the only way to go.