| This question is asked so frequently that I saved my last reply into a txt file so I can regurgitate it when needed:
My Top Tips for drysuits, certainly for diving in a club environment which tends to be hard on suits (lots of petrol and grease from the RIB everywhere, walking bloody miles, humping kit all day- you hard boaters have it all too good):
Suit- membrane is my favourite after diving a in both. Neo is warmer (that's why all the Scapa scallop divers wear them) but if you are in it all day, it's blessed relief to slip out of it and stagger around in your undersuit. More flexible too if shutdowns are your bag. Membrane also easy to take on holiday as it's lighter and packs smaller. I got mine folded into the side pocket of my dive bag.
Undersuit- "traditional" undersuits with the nylon outer can be v. restrictive at higher Thinsulate thicknesses (above 200g). However you won't look suck a dick walking round in one rather than these new fangle-wangled 4th Elements that make you look like you are in your underwear. Warmth is a relative thing- I'm going to steal Janos's 4th Element stuff and have a go in it. Don't tell him as I'll probably sweat quite alot and make them smell.
Feet- forget the flat lightweight drysuit boots. They have an inherent design fault and they all split in the same place on the side. Go for the heavy duty cuban heeled dancing wellies. They are great. Neoprene socks underneath keep your feet toastie and for some reason stop floaty feet. Why? Dunno. It's diving magic. Once you have your suit off in between dives, you can stick on a pair of Tevo-style sandals and wander around while everyone else is getting changed.
Seals- neoprene neck seal, HD cone latex wrist seals are comfy and if you get the right fit with the neck, are dry as a bone. Last ages, too and you don't get hangman's neck caused partly by rubbing, partly by salt but mainly from the mould release agent used in the making of latex seals which is an irritant.
Zip- membrane tend to come with an 8 tpi standard zip, neo can have 6 tpi HD zips. There are only a couple of manufacturers of these but BDM are about the best. A zip cover is nice but not necessary as the zip failure will inevitably be caused by the bending just by the shoulder blades on a rear entry zip. Front entry ones are more convenient but you'll still heed help doing up the last 2". A well made front entry zip will also allow you to get your car keys out and go for a wazz if you are a man. For maintenance, beeswax is rubbish. Much better with a proprietary zip lube- surprisingly the Beaver stuff is brilliant and makes your zip silky smooth.
Pockets- a velcro closing cargo pocket on the outside seam of each leg is about the best. The height should be set so that by leaning slightly, you can reach the bottom of the pocket with your fingertips. Make sure they have a D ring inside which you can tie a bungee loop to to clip everything off with so you don't lose everything when you drag it out. If you know the order you clip stuff off in, you don't need to look either- just count the clips and pull and the bit of kit comes out.
Braces- useful for wandering about but with your pockets full of tatt, the suit will inevitably fall down in a humerous 'clowns trousers' style. |