First Drysuit

[J.D.]

Hi all

Im currently looking into buying my first drysuit   Ive heard good reports about the Gates VSN suits, but as im on a bit of a budget cant quite stretch to one of those , so have been looking at the PRO-CBX 450.

Anybody got any experience of this suit and would you recommend it?

As far as undersuits go my LDS has recommended the Gates Tricore and the Northen Diver Flectalon suits.  I'll mostly be diving between April and September, although will probably try a few quarry dives a bit earlier on in the year. Will these suits be suitable or should i go for a different undersuit?

Cheers
James

[Dominic]

Haven't used a Gates, but they do have a good reputation.

Get a Weezle undersuit, with the booties. Alternatively, buy the thinsulate one I'm selling on ebay right now for £20

[Richie]

Or.......

Go for compressed neoprene rather than membrane and wear any mix of old socks, sweaters, jogging stuff etc underneath. The dosh you save by not buying a weezle or whatever will let you get an O'three/Otter and stay warmer. (I'm biased)

Just to confuse you.    

Whichever enjoy........

[J.D.]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Thought about a compressed neoprene suit, but i like the idea of being able to alter the thickness of undersuit to suit conditions and the extra flexibility of a membrane suit that iv heard about.

And more importantly...

spoke to my LDS and theyve offered to do a deal on a drysuit/undersuit package, possibly offering the undersuit for no extra cost on top of the drysuit Hopefully theyll stock Weezle suits, will have to ask though, all theyve mentioned so far are the Gates and N Diver.

[And]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hi

I would steer clear of cordura suits as they are more restrictive underwater. A simple trilam is best. You'll save money to spend on a better undergarment. With undergarments you get what you pay for ! And if its free then... A fourth element undersuit stops your thinsulate getting smelly and will wick the sweat from your body. Very useful

Look at a front zip because they are easier to put on. Perhaps a P Valve or relief zip (After a day on a rib you will wish you had one or the other!!)

C Bears or DUI thinsulate undergarment. Make sure its thinsulate and will work when compressed. Weasles work when you put loads of air in your suit (but you don't want to do that )

Shoulder dump rather than cuff dump, preferably a high profile apeks type. Pockets on side of legs are better than BC pockets.

Think thats it.

Perfect suit? DUI TLS350 and G400 thinsulate (on my shopping list)

Kindest Regards

WL

[Wacker]

<font color='#0000FF'>hi
go 4 trilaminate it is far tougher and dries a lot quicker than neopreen !
I have otter britanic its a top suit and done 200 dives is 6 years old still in top condition, many of the dives have been with students (faffing about on the knees)
ps otter (divers warehouse ) do vast range of sizes of the peg and do a complete package including under suit and hood.
try them out
wacker

[parahandy]

Done the migration thing from Neoprene to membrane, i find any type of membrane a lot less restrictive then the neoprene. Having dived in the cordura ones, agree they are a little more restrictive than some of the other membranes, but didn't notice it that much. &nbsp;
Gotta agree the weezle undersuits do their stuff.
If you do go for the neoprene go for a pee zip, its well worth it. &nbsp;The membranes are easier to get out of to accomodate the call of nature.

[peter k]

Seeing as everyone is talking about the dearish end of the market suits I'll put in my ha'pennys worth. 3 years ago I bought a 2nd-hand Aquion for £300 inc. bog standard thinsulate, cuff dump, valve, hose, hood and gloves. I've done 250 dives in this and never once had a problem. During the winter I put thermal underwear on and that deals with the chill.
&nbsp;It's just to point out that you needn't spend a fortune as at the end of the day you only want the thing to keep you dry. Layers of clothes can be added and taken away as and when it's warm or cold.

Peter

[Jay]

I used to dive an Aerdura membrane that cost £500 - sold it and now dive a £200 Divers Warehouse compressed neoprene with a 200mg undersuit in winter and I would NOT swap back - its the first time I have ever been warm underwater at the end of a dive after 50 mins in 4c water!

[Ben Harris]

<font color='#FF00FF'>Couple of hints from someone who bought a dry suit for the first time about 8 months ago.

1. Avoid N Diver like the plague.... Dont ask me why as i would slander them but...... try otter.

2. get a front ziper.

3. Membrane or neoprene - whatever you prefere.

4. Get as posh a suit as you can afford. Spending more now will result in less expense later providing you buy the right suit.

5 Avoid N Diver...... &nbsp; &nbsp; Trust me,

6. try for second hand first, you might get lucky but take someone along who knows what there talking about and test dive before you buy.