Seaskin Neoprene Drysuit

[Tiberius]

Entire family are now qualified open water divers, so I'm looking for 3 drysuits. Having read a bit, I think a neoprene model sounds best, and Seaskin seems to have a good reputation, and is local enough to go and get measured there.

Reading here, the general consensus though seems to be membrane, so I just wanted to check. As I see it (from beginners eyes) the membrane type is tougher, so if you plan on crawling round wrecks or caves I can see it's better, but other than that I don't really see much advantage (easier bouyancy cantrol maybe, but surely that's not much of a factor, we did our course in semi's and it wasn't that bad).

The neoprene seems to give a better fit, and it's a bit warmer, so unless I'm missing somethings, that's the reasons for my choice. Anyone have any comments?

[Conor]

I think its a very personal decision. For me I knew I wanted one that would dry quickly and not weigh to much for travelling etc so I went for membrane. Sometimes wish I'd got neo as I suspect the air migrates less etc

Try both and pick one

[Scubee]

I went for the Neoprene option. TBH, I am not sure it takes any longer to dry than a membrane one, and as it is compressed neoprene, I am not sure it weighs any more, either.

However, i can't comment on Seaskin. I chose O'Three, who have an excellent repuation, not only in terms of the quality of their suits, but also their customer service.

[Steve S]

Hi Tiberius,

I have had both and prefer membrane. The otter skin type from Divers warehouse in Bradford are bullet proof and are one of the toughest suits you can buy this is my suit of choice.

I found neo' restrictive and hard to dry although they are warm, don't really need an undersuit and turn into a normal wetsuit if you spring a leak.

Membrane has no thermal properties and cannot be used in the UK without an undersuit. I have used thinsulates, wooly bears weezles and now I'm using the xerotherm artics.

If you decide against the seaskin I would pop along to DW and try their suits also Robin hood I have heard good things about but have not used myself, and if you are in Derby Go-Dive have some good deals ATM.

The important thing is to try before you buy and to have either a course or an orientation lesson before you use them on their own.

Good luck.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Tiberius]

Originally Posted by Steve S

If you decide against the seaskin I would pop along to DW and try their suits also Robin hood

I'm in Bradford quite often, so I'll take a look at DW, Robin Hood also I guess. I don't have any great preference for Seaskin, it's just that they seem good value from some other reports on here.

Generally with things like this, I think you'll find several that are crap, and several that are fine. Some people will have slight preferences, but I do intend having a look around first at other options.

There is a slight problem with size, I'm probably a standard male medium, but I also need one to fit No. 1 son (a skinny 12), and wife (a fairly large women). One of the reason's for going to seaskin was that they do made to measure.

We're going to Australia 6th March, with son growing, and wife dieting, I'm probably not going to actually buy them until we get back (4th April), but I want them pretty soon afterwards.

[Tiberius]

Oh yeah, I'll also make sure I do a drysuit orientation. I'll be doing that with Tigerdive, along with several other courses. They were fantastic for our open water.

[Steve S]

All manufacturer's do MTM and my MTM Otter has one leg shorter than the other to match my odd physique

Safe diving,
Steve