Oh Lordy - another Neoprean vs. Membrane question..

[BigG]

Hi All,

after diving in Chepstow quarry in 6 degrees water, my GF has insisted that in order to continue this UK diving lark, she has to abandon the semi-dry and get a Drysuit (either that or go to Egypt a lot - but I can't afford that!!).

We have visited OThree and tried on a few of their Drysuits, very nice but at a grand a pop (MTM) I feel that maybe there are other choices...

So far we have had the following advise on warmth:

Crushed Neoprean has built in warmth plus you add a thin warm layer underneath. The disadvantage is that neoprean is snug so you can't fit too many layers underneath.

Membrane has no warmth but you wear a big thinsulate suit which provides the warmth.

Both options seem good to me but membrane seems more "modular" than neoprean.
e.g. Membrane: Hot = less layers, cold = more layers
Neopreane: Hot = nothing / tshirt, cold = thin polartec type underlayer

Which system provides the best warmth??

I realise that this is a "horses for Courses" question, but any help greatfully received.

Gaz

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by BigG

I realise that this is a "horses for Courses" question, but any help greatfully received.

Drysuits are one of those subjects I get all annoyed about.

[uwila]

You had it right when you said horses for courses.

I have a membrane suit which is great for travelling as it's light. I also recently bought a ND crushed neoprene jobby which I bought big enough to get a Weezle Extreme underneath (very handy when I went ice-diving as the water was -1 C). I have been able to use either over a range of temperatures as they are both slightly larger than 'snug'. Neither cost more than £500 as I bought them at dive shows. The first time I went to the Arctic, I used the membrane with merino wool underwear and the extreme. This year I used the ND suit with the same underclothes and was possibly a little too warm, but I found the neoprene suit felt more stable (bouyancy), or was that just me being crap the first time???

Anyhow, a tightish fit was no good for me as today's tight becomes tomorrow's "Oh, God, not another drysuit that's shrunk..."

[The_Ferret]

Originally Posted by BigG

Hi All,

after diving in Chepstow quarry in 6 degrees water, my GF has insisted that in order to continue this UK diving lark, she has to abandon the semi-dry and get a Drysuit (either that or go to Egypt a lot - but I can't afford that!!).

We have visited OThree and tried on a few of their Drysuits, very nice but at a grand a pop (MTM) I feel that maybe there are other choices...

So far we have had the following advise on warmth:

Crushed Neoprean has built in warmth plus you add a thin warm layer underneath. The disadvantage is that neoprean is snug so you can't fit too many layers underneath.

Membrane has no warmth but you wear a big thinsulate suit which provides the warmth.

Both options seem good to me but membrane seems more "modular" than neoprean.
e.g. Membrane: Hot = less layers, cold = more layers
Neopreane: Hot = nothing / tshirt, cold = thin polartec type underlayer

Which system provides the best warmth??

I realise that this is a "horses for Courses" question, but any help greatfully received.

Gaz

If your a cold arse like me and tend to do alot of deco, last thing you want is getting cold... i have a neoprene suit,with a thinsulate one piece, i never get cold even in winter,people say you cant move in them ! hmmm well i can do owt they can do in a membrane suit... nothing more to be said.. apart from its your choice, but neoprene are warmer than membrane..

john...........

[BigG]

Thanks Guys!

NigelH - from your website are you saying that crushed neoprean doesn't give you any warmth properties at all?

Originally Posted by uwila

I have a membrane suit which is great for travelling as it's light. I also recently bought a ND crushed neoprene jobby which I bought big enough to get a Weezle Extreme underneath (very handy when I went ice-diving as the water was -1 C).

That's good to know - I didn't thnink that the weezle would fit under a neoprean.

Originally Posted by uwila

The first time I went to the Arctic, I used the membrane with merino wool underwear and the extreme. This year I used the ND suit with the same underclothes and was possibly a little too warm, but I found the neoprene suit felt more stable

So is that a nod towards neoprean as the better "overall package"?

Originally Posted by uwila

Anyhow, a tightish fit was no good for me as today's tight becomes tomorrow's "Oh, God, not another drysuit that's shrunk..."

That's why I'm loathed to go MTM for a grand - I can't stand having to watch my weight


Gaz

[Woz]

I have an old Otter Hammerhead Pro I bought 2nd hand for £100 including 100g Thinsulate, socks, gloves and hood. Since then I've also bought a 300g Otter Arctic undersuit which, despite having to add a whopping 8lb of lead is extremely warm. This way I can dive all year round with my "sleeping bag" 300g in the winter and dropping down to 100g in the summer, maybe even down to thermals only when it gets really warm off the south coast. IMHO neo is fine but offers less flexibility in insulation choice. Plus they take ages to dry out, are heavy and unless you are Cindy Crawford, not particularly flattering for those of us "blessed with surface area".

[BigG]

Originally Posted by The_Ferret

If your a cold arse like me and tend to do alot of deco, last thing you want is getting cold... i have a neoprene suit,with a thinsulate one piece, i never get cold even in winter,people say you cant move in them ! hmmm well i can do owt they can do in a membrane suit... nothing more to be said.. apart from its your choice, but neoprene are warmer than membrane..

john...........

Cheers John - very helpful.

Out of interest, what suit do you use?

Gaz

[BigG]

Originally Posted by Woz

I have an old Otter Hammerhead Pro I bought 2nd hand for £100 including 100g Thinsulate, socks, gloves and hood. Since then I've also bought a 300g Otter Arctic undersuit which, despite having to add a whopping 8lb of lead is extremely warm. This way I can dive all year round with my "sleeping bag" 300g in the winter and dropping down to 100g in the summer, maybe even down to thermals only when it gets really warm off the south coast. IMHO neo is fine but offers less flexibility in insulation choice. Plus they take ages to dry out, are heavy and unless you are Cindy Crawford, not particularly flattering for those of us "blessed with surface area".

Cheers Woz that was conclusion that I was slowly comming to. Plus I think my GF will like the idea of "Sleeping bag" diving a lot

Drying time of neoprean is an interesting point too.

Gaz

[Mike Phillipson]

Predator do Neoprene drysuits MTM for about £650.... i went there with a friend who was buying one, look really good AND MTM for the price...

... just thought i'd mention it

[Nick Kay]

DUI hyper compressed neoprene - absolutely no warmth whatsoever - I use a Weezle under it and weezle booties

(if I was a Southerner I'd call myself a wuss, however just a Northerner with poor circulation :-) )

The good news - CD wind, s/s backplate, 50B twin 10s with DUI & weezle =

a) negatively buoyant in freshwater
b) only needs 2kg in salt water