choosing a dry suit

[Jaques Custard]

Would appreciate any info on choosing a dry suit. As these are a major purchase it would be nice to get some pointers. Although I use a Hunter pro am, which I,m very pleased with, it would be good to see wahat current opinion is on the best suits available. Finally does anyone know wher I could get ho;d of the Az dry suits as that would have been my first choice but I cant seam to find them for love nor money

[jackadam]

I started a similar thread this time last year, I did get some good pointers but not enough to make a conclusive decision. I was ready to buy another neoprene suit, but the consensus from YD and Friends was membrane.

My story is.....

I started with a Northern Divers Neoprene suit, god that was toasty all year round, I dived every weekend I could, the lakes, quarries, and the sea. It was good for everything I could throw at it. Now, bearing in mind that as a newbie my criteria was a tad different to the 40 - 50 metre wrecks I am now diving.
I moved to a twinset and found that the rear zip was a tad to restrictive, so I replced my ND Neoprene to an Otter Brittanic Membrane with a front entry, I do not dive as much as I did, not that keen on 3 degree lakes, but my diving is proably more intense, most dives are 40 metres plus.

One year on, I am still happy and confident that my membrane will be OK, (with my Weezle Extreme and base layer (cheap thermals ).

Although the only conclusive fact from Membrane vs Neoprene is, having dived both - I cannot advise as to the best, but I would certainly say without doubt a neoprene neck and cuff seal is the only way to go.

Hope this helps - Although, I wish we could dive in wetsuits is the best answer I could give at this moment in time.

Hope this helps...

[Scuttler]

First you'll need to decide which you prefer Membrane or Neoprene.....then how much you have to spend..... and then you can decide the make LOL

O'Three
DUI
Hunter
Otter
Seaskin

The list is endless.....there are so many good suits on the market.

[Diving Dude]

Whichever suit you decide on, if you want made to measure, do not buy from a distributor, go direct to the manufacturer. One that will do a 'first fitting' before a 'final fitting'.

Otherwise you could end up like me. l have three otter britannic drysuits (paid for one) which don't fit, so l now wear the best of the three and am now thinking of getting another suit, not from Otter, because, surprisingly, l have lost confidence in Otter being able to make a suit than fits.

So l now have two otter britanic suits (l'll keep the best fitting one as a spare) going really cheap

[Dave Crampton]

Are you sure the shop dummy isn't changing shape?? Too many Mince pies Howard??

[PhotoGirl]

You should try the Viking rubber drysuits. They have a new one with a black stretchy inside reinforcement layer that allows the rubber to stretch much more for comfort.

[essexbloke]

Originally Posted by PhotoGirl

You should try the Viking rubber drysuits. They have a new one with a black stretchy inside reinforcement layer that allows the rubber to stretch much more for comfort.

mmmmm sounds kinky too me?????

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

So l now have two otter britanic suits (l'll keep the best fitting one as a spare) going really cheap

Gee I bet you've been inundated with PMs begging you to sell them Howard?

[mija162]

A friend of mine has just bought a suit from these people and is wel impressed
Hammond Drysuits : Dry Suits Sales : Dry Suit Repairs

[stewbie]

Originally Posted by Jaques Custard

Would appreciate any info on choosing a dry suit. As these are a major purchase it would be nice to get some pointers. Although I use a Hunter pro am, which I,m very pleased with, it would be good to see wahat current opinion is on the best suits available. Finally does anyone know wher I could get ho;d of the Az dry suits as that would have been my first choice but I cant seam to find them for love nor money

Um - the problem as I see it is that the only pointer that can be given is to analyse your prospective diving and buy a suit which FITS!

Neoprene - tend to be warmer and stretchy, closer fitting and yet will tend to compress at depth so you need to compensate.

Membrane - you have to wear nice warm undersuits, yet they tend to be a bit baggier as a result. You will probably wear less lead, and they don't compress at depth.

A good suit will do the same job regardless of the material.

Personally, I would go with a neoprene neck seal every time for comfort reasons. I've got two suits - one with neo wrist seals, one with latex. As I'm a fat git - there is no real difference in sealing for me.

In terms of suit manufacturers - again, it depends on your budget.

For neo - O3, and Otter seem to be well thought of. Personally, I'd probably go for Outer Edge - they are getting rave reviews for quality and several people on here dive them.

Membrane - possibly Protec and Seaskin are the two main contenders, especially in terms of VFM made to measure. I've got an Seaskin and have no complaints in their service or quality. I know a lot of the tech contingent swear by Protec. Common factor - MTM with front entry.

I would always consider what the backup is like, as you will probably need some repairs on your suit at some point. My Northern Diver gave me nothing but problems and I've had issues in getting them resolved.
My seaskin was the reverse, fantastic quality and amazing backup from Richard and the crew.

If it was me - I'd buy a Seaskin again, but I'd also ring as many manufacturers as possible and go with the one I felt comfortable with.