First Drysuit> OuterEdge vs Typhoon Pro Sport

[stabjacket]

Thinking about getting my first drysuit, as fed up with borrowing other peoples.
Just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the differences between membrane and crushed neoprene, as ive only ever dived in membrane, but have been looking at the outer edge crushed neoprene, and wonder if this would be ok for me.
Failing this, i quite like the look of the typhoon pro sport membrane drysuit.

Any advice would be fantastic

Thanks

Shaun

[ratcliffe]

The OuterEdge one comes with good recommendations from the diving press, and was very comfy when I tried one on at Lids. I should be ordering one v soon hopefully.

[MonkeyPony]

I use a Pro Sport and have been very happy with it. Totally dry every dive which is the best you can hope for really.

The suit is well made and I haven't managed to hole it yet! Never used an OuterEdge so cant offer up a comparison I'm afraid.

[stabjacket]

thanks for the replies!

just wondering how different a membrane vs crushed neoprene is?

i think if it wont make much difference to my diving ill go with the outer edge one

cheers

[ratcliffe]

You will need more weight with the neoprene suit as it is more bouyant than the membrane one. The neoprene suits are generally more insulating that membrane ones as well, but that issue is solved by the undersuit of course.

[stabjacket]

okay, so appart from a bit of changing my buoyancy, i wont notice any differnce except im warmer in the neoprene?
think ill go with the outer edge then

Thanks Again

Shaun

[MonkeyPony]

Originally Posted by stabjacket

okay, so appart from a bit of changing my buoyancy, i wont notice any differnce except im warmer in the neoprene?

Depends on your choice of undersuit! Theres no reason not to be as warm as toast in either suit.

I find it easier to move in a membrance but thats the only difference for me.

[applepie]

Its a very difficult question whether you prefer a neo or membrane.. there are countless debates about it and it all ends with personal preference in my opinion. Note I refer to compressed or crushed neoprene only not uncompressed eg 8mm neo suits.

Dont forget that neoprene suits are also heavier then their equivalent membrane suits.

The newer crushed neoprene suits (e.g 1.5-3mm) are just as flexible as membrane suits although the thinner it is, the less insulation you get. i.e it becomes more like a membrane suit.

So why neoprene if it weights more, is less flexible and has only a small insulation advantage?

Personally, I prefer it because I find it is tougher than membrane, it can take more abuse. This will depend on what kinda of diving you do. I also think in an event of a catastrophic suit failure, the extra insulation of neoprene suit will enable me to do more of my stops before hypothermia sets in. I like the close fitting-ness of neoprene suits and the overall feel of it.

It is arguably slightly cheaper in comparison to a similar spec membrane suit. You can get very good membrane suits that have all the above points I wanted, bulletproof, close fitting, lightweight etc but I find it will cost me alot more.

I am also looking to get an outer edge suit, have spoken to them and they sound like nice people. Let me know if you get one, as I would like to know what it is like.