Dry, Wet or Semi?

[Titanic]

I'm a novice diver and have not yet bought much kit.
Being tall I'm sure I would get some comfort benefits out of having my own suit.
I'm not rushing into this and am currently trying to evaluate which type of suit would be most beneficial. I would say I am someone who generally runs hot, rather than cold.

1. Wet Suit 3-piece - would seem to be the cheapest and most flexible in terms of fit(?) and being able to use both in the UK and abroad. Main disadvantage is that it is not the best for colder water and colder days here in the UK.

2. Semi-dry - less forgiving with the fit(?). More warmth for less bulk but potentially less flexible (e.g. I dived Red Sea with just a shorty in March and was fine).

3. Dry - expensive but people who feely strongly on this issue seems to go with a dry for the UK. Warm out of the water and easier to get changed. Is not going to feature for holidays in warmer water. More maintenance required(?) and additional cost of undersuit(s).

There are places in the U.K. I'd like to dive where I suspect a dry suit is essential. But it these places aren't the norm I could rent one for those occasions.
The cheap, cheerful and most flexible option does appear to me to be a 3-piece wet suit.

Any thoughts?
Alan

[tom]

If you're going to do more than a handful of dives in the UK each year, get a drysuit, and pick up a cheap wetsuit for overseas holidays.

You can cope in the UK with a GOOD semi-dry but there are major drawbacks, especially between dives.

[MATTBIN]

From someone who was definitely against getting a dry suit, get a dry suit.

Matt

[chrisch]

To rent a drysuit you may find you need a drysuit ticket... (oh the joys of our nanny state).

Like most folks here I will tell you you need a drysuit for UK diving. A really good fitting semi is OK but not up to the job in the winter and useless for any inland freshwater sites.

Wetsuits are for pool work and hot climates. Decathlon do cheap ones and sell them off even cheaper in the autumn.

Remember that a drysuit will cope with warm conditions. I have dived in 24C water in France in a drysuit. Just leave off the hood and gloves and its very pleasant.

Chris

[sean0801]

If you are gonna do any dives in the uk you need to be dry. Ok the odd shallow muddy puddle may be warm enough for a wetsuit in summer, but for owt else...

[the goat]

I went the other way, getting a dry suit first but found it quite bulky and inflexible, eventually buying a half decent semi which I ve found more than meets my needs so far for my diving here and abroad.I too don t feel the cold so much so this may help.Mind you, the earliest I used the suit was in early April and the water was that little bit warmer.
Feel free to try my drysuit on one of your next dives , I m a lanky get too
Lee

[yazzyfooty]

Originally Posted by the goat

I went the other way, getting a dry suit first but found it quite bulky and inflexible, eventually buying a half decent semi which I ve found more than meets my needs so far for my diving here and abroad.I too don t feel the cold so much so this may help.Mind you, the earliest I used the suit was in early April and the water was that little bit warmer.
Feel free to try my drysuit on one of your next dives , I m a lanky get too
Lee

My perception of a lanky person is someone that is tall and very slim......Hubby Lee yes you meet the height criteria but I would describe you as muscular toned not slim .

From wifey
(dinners in the dog)

[yazzyfooty]

I am a dry suit person as this what was recommended to me for UK diving. However I am on my 2nd membrane dry suit as I found my first one the material was too unnwielding it was made from Cordura. I am now using a membrane dry suit made from tri-laminate and its great. For the last month just t shirt and jogging bottoms worn underneath and I have warm enough.

Borrow or hire a variety of suits and dive in them before you make up your mind.

[EdHornby]

another drysuit vote

it's the wind chill factor in a wetsuit during a surface interval that makes a drysuit the choice for the UK

[Sparky]

Definantly go for a dry suit, you'll come to realise that it's nice being warm and dry between dives rather than cold and wet.

Originally Posted by chrisch

To rent a drysuit you may find you need a drysuit ticket... (oh the joys of our nanny state).

Chris

I second that, most places will want to see that you can use one.