In the Market for a Dry Suit -- Opinions Wanted

[BlackKnightDY]

Hey Swampers, I'm looking to get myself a dry suit and I wanted to first hear your opinions on shell verses crushed neoprene, brands, economy (I *am* a college student), etc. I'm intending on stopping by Scuba Toys or something to try a bunch on since I know comfort is probably the main priority as always, but I still wanted to hear what you all had to say. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[tbone1004]

$1500 ish and you can get a custom fitted HOG... Can't go wrong with that. I'm not complaining with mine, awesome suit. Used market is also good too.
I prefer my trilam, but the neoprene is nice for the insulating properties. Budget is helpful, and if you're a normal stock ish size it'd be better to buy a used one in good shape then get a good custom fitted one when you can afford it

 

[richerso]

BARE makes a nice set of standard size suits to just pull out of a catalog. I recommend the "Trilam" model. It is a trilaminate construction. I am not sure what the laminates are but they work well. The outer laminate is some sort of waterproof, tough, cordura type fabric thing. It is tough.

As mentioned, there is not really any thermal protection here. It is just waterproof. This works good though because you can wear this suit anywhere from 80 deg F down to about 27 deg F . . . . not that you would want to wear the suit at anything above 70 F but I know people who do. The great thing is, you control your temperature by layering your thermal protection under the "no thermal protection" dry suit. I have gone in wearing summer shorts and a t-shirt. I have also gone in wearing thermal long johns, a pair of jeans, two sets of sweat pants, two thermal undershirts, two t-shirts and two sweaters under the suit. What can I say? The water was 34 degrees with 22 inches of ice on top.

BARE suits are also on the low end of the price range so that helps. Their rubber seals have proven to be exceptionally durable and dependable for me. Just my two cents. Hey! You asked for an opinion.

 

[MrWizard]

This works good though because you can wear this suit anywhere from 80 deg F down to about 27 deg F . . . .

That 1 ATA 27 deg F stuff requires a lot of extra effort to swim through.

 

[rakpix]

Hey Swampers, I'm looking to get myself a dry suit and I wanted to first hear your opinions on shell verses crushed neoprene, brands, economy (I *am* a college student), etc. I'm intending on stopping by Scuba Toys or something to try a bunch on since I know comfort is probably the main priority as always, but I still wanted to hear what you all had to say. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

i am also a college student, and faced this EXACT same dilemma four months ago. be careful with your first purchase ...

first: browse this thread. it has a lot of good, different opinions on budgeting.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ex...itting-pot-how-divvy-your-drysuit-budget.html

second: i suggest you register for BOTH the "dog days" and "d unit" events being held this april. it will give you a chance to see the difference in dry diving under the supervision of a drysuit instructor, and identify both what you WANT and what you DON'T WANT in a variety of different suits, in a variety of different sizes.

http://www.dui-online.com/2011_rally_participating.asp
http://whitesdiving.com/sport-diving/events

third: i would recommend, unconditionally, that you purchase your undergarments first. purchase the smallest, stretchiest, lowest-loft garments you can squeeze into (just don't get fat afterward!) if you are confidant enough that you will be purchasing a suit this year, get the garments NOW and bring them with you to the demos. you'll get the most out of your test dives, and avoid the salesperson's pressure to buy your garments under the same brand as your suit.

http://www.fourthelement.com/thermal_protection.php
http://www.weezle.co.uk/products/undersuits.htm
http://www.santiusa.com/santi/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=21

i sent you a pm with my budget, and the final cost of everything in my kit. good luck!

 

[Mack Diver]

I 2nd the Bare nod. They make a great suit. They have just come out with a new front zip trilam that is very affordablle. Not as heavy duty as the Trilam tech HD, but should hold up to local dry diving.

Gotta be careful in theused market. One friend bought a used suit and found out the hard way that the seals needed to be replaced.