Oceanic Aerdura Black Review

[Xav]

Hello all

Went down to Stoney yesterday to test out my brand spanking new Aerdura Black, and thought I'd share my thoughts on it for anyone considering a new suit in the <£600 range.

Well what can I say. Previously I'd only ever dived HD400s (the club rental suit) and the improvement is dramatic. I have always found that even large drysuits are too short in the body for me and cause me to hunch over, but with the Aerdura there was absolutely no problem. The suit is very generously cut all round and felt extremely comfortable to wear. There is even a little extra space int he suit meaning I can upgrade to a weezle undersuit for winter dives and still have ample space. Once in the water there was absolutely no 'ballooning' of loose sections of the suit, nor did I ever feel like air was rushing into the legs even if went fairly 'head down'. The first dive was a little odd but I can honestly say I felt like i'd been diving this suit for months by the second dive and was so comfortable in it. What's more is that I had 3 completely dry dives which to be honest was a novelty after so many rental suits.

It also comes with loads of features I'd never had the privilige of experiencing with HD400s like neoprene-lined boots, a warm neack seal, and a decent-sized pocket on the right leg. Most of you might take these for granted but I couldnt believed the difference they made. Even better the whole suit is titanium-lined to reflect body heat which I'm sure will help on those winter dives! For the money I paid for it I am so chuffed and can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a suit that wont break the bank. I just cant wait to get into it again and go diving.

Hope this helps anyone thinking about a new suit.

Xav

P.S. Thanks to Jason (principia) for 3 awesome dives and a great bimble around the hydrobox with <1m vis at one point.

[endoman]

I might have an Aerdura in the blue colour for sale soon. Off to Stoney tomorrow to test my new seaskin. The Aerdura has done about 20 dives but is simply the wrong size for me. Has kept me dry and warm though.

what was the viz like at 22m today in the cove?

Bill

[principia]

the viz was erm, ok, i guess.... could see the Stanegarth from about 4m away and the hydrobox was about 2 except for the bit where someone had crawled across the bottom where it was about 20cm.

J

[Xav]

J and I were there yesterday and got about 4m on the stanegarth

HTH

Xav

[Xav]

Beat me to it. Damn

[endoman]

Originally Posted by principia

the viz was erm, ok, i guess.... could see the Stanegarth from about 4m away and the hydrobox was about 2 except for the bit where someone had crawled across the bottom where it was about 20cm.

J

Doesn't sound too bad then, last time I was there was weds night last week and the Wessex nearly took my head off!