Unlike you chaps in the UK....

[Duiker]

Most of my dives are done in summer in the inland fresh water here in Holland. As such (soft shandy drinkin suvern poof) all my dives are done in a semi-dry. The time has come however for me to grow up and I'd like to get involved with the dry suit squad and get all twin set and wings I guess?

What should I look for in a dry suit and who would you recomend?

Cheers peeps,

Mick

[Dr Stevil]

Otter suits from DWH, I've just gotten a good deal on an Otter Skin,


Two Americans I was diving with last week got Otter suits MTM and posted to the US, that's how good their rep is
http://www.diverswarehouse.co.uk/

[tiewrapdiver]

I'll second Otter from Diverswarehouse. My extreme is the dogs danglies.

[turbanator]

Ooo... can of worms time.
Decide what you really want from the suit.
If you want to twin up and use a manifold, you absolutly must be able to operate the valves.
Although you can get cable extensions (slob knobs) unless have a problem putting your arm behind your head, you should not need these.

So the suit should have enough flexibility to allow you a full range of movment.
This flexibilty will come from a combination of streatchyness, cut and just as important, the fit of any undergarment that you wear.

It also needs to be dry, and repairable on site, trilaminate dries quicker and so you can glue up any holes between dives.

Personally, I've had Trilams and a crushed neoprene and prefer the trilaminates. Don't skimp on an undesuit as it needs to not only keeps you warm when you are dry, but also the whole 'system' needs to keep you warm if you are wet.
When you start getting into twinsets, you can increase your deco obligation, so can't always surface immediatly if you get a leak (or need one, consider p-valves, p-zips or nappies for this).

If you can find a friend that can lend you a suit or try to rent one.

As I mentioned above, fit is important, so if you are not lucky enough to be an 'off-the-peg' size, seriously consider made to measure, rather than just buying the next size up.

Recommendations are hard, as the fit of the suit esp. mtm relies so much on the person who measures you.

My first suit was a Polar Bears, and they offer excellent after sales service, I was measured for that by my LDS (at the time Challenger 10), my 2nd suit, was a 2nd hand DUI, nd although it was mtm for someone else, it fit me a treat. My current suit that I'm well chuffed with, is a DUI TLS 350, also mtm for me, measurments were taken by SDS at the a show.

hth
Paul

[Tony F]

Originally Posted by Duiker

What should I look for in a dry suit and who would you recomend?

I'd look for blondes, they get dirty quicker allegedly. And I'd recommend Kylie but I've never seen her in a dry bag :o)

[MATTBIN]

I bought my Son a second hand d/s - an Otter as the original owner grew out of it and my boy is still growing. Its had some use at a guess but its brilliant. Dry as a bone and looks very good even though its 'old'. Next time I buy a suit I am going to give Otter a good look. I have Oceanic, I like it but the seals have gone at the wrist in very little time, other than that they seem OK.

Matt

[abucksdiver]

I'd have to echo the "get an Otter" call... both mine and my wifes' Hammerhead Pros are great!


Andrew

[tom]

I like my Otter Skin.

My only complaint is that it's not as furry as I expected. I don't think it's made from real otter skin at all

(seriously though, great suits, my wife has just bought a neoprene Otter Ultimate and is very very happy with it. MTM is only about £50 more).

[Dr Stevil]

Originally Posted by turbanator

Ooo... can of worms time.
Decide what you really want from the suit.
If you want to twin up and use a manifold, you absolutly must be able to operate the valves.
Although you can get cable extensions (slob knobs) unless have a problem putting your arm behind your head, you should not need these.

Alternatively, be like: me, andy 2 tanx, Fiona B, Mattbin, the entire Royal Navy and the firebrigade etc etc etc and put the valves the "correct " way round and invert

[Dr Stevil]

Originally Posted by tom

I like my Otter Skin.

My only complaint is that it's not as furry as I expected. I don't think it's made from real otter skin at all

Really.... you're soooooo uneducated Thomas, the fur is sandwiched between the layers of trilaminate where it can give the best insulating properties, that way it doesn't require constant grooming, capiche?
Cheers
Stevil