Membrane & Neoprene Drysuits - what's the difference?

[Ratbag]

Please bear with me as I'm about to ask another stupid question...

What is the difference between membrane and neoprene drysuits?

In thatI mean do they have different applications? is one warmer? Is one more flexible? Is one easier to handle?


(ducks head and waits for it...)

[tom]

http://www.ukrs.org.uk/ukdiver/drysuit.html

[Dominic]

Membrane has no inherent insulation - so you can wear it inthe Red sea if you like..

Neoprene, however, DOES insulate you. No good in anything but cold water.

Normal neoprene drysuits are a dying breed. I assume you mean compressed neoprene? This stuff is very tough, a bit stretchy, provides some insulation, and with minimal buoyancy changeswith depth

[Snash]

at the risk of a flame war..... especially along the M62 corridor....  

given the advent of compressed neoprene, the two types of dry suits (neoprene and membrane) like the 2 codes of rugby are becoming increasingly similar as manufacturers (rule makers for rugby) take the best of each in developing new models.

This is much to the annoyance of supporters of each type of dry suit (and each code of rugby) as their arguments in the pub as to which is best are becoming increasingly redundant.


Okay, fire proof coat on....  

Simon

[John Gulliver]

Is that really true? CRUSHED neoprene à la DUI is certainly really just a tougher alternative to trilam and has virtually no buoyancy or insulation but, surely, compressed neoprene still has basically the same properties as ordinary neoprene, just a bit less of them?

[And]

<font color='#000080'>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Ratbag @ Mar. 11 2004,17:12)] What is the difference between membrane and neoprene drysuits?

Hi

Membrane suits tend to be lighter, dry quicker and more flexible in terms of undersuit choice. They are a looser fit as they do not stretch. Preferred if you travel with your drysuit. As there is no buoyancy in the suit you only weight really for the undersuit.

Neoprene are heavier, take longer to dry and already have insulation built in. I would only consider the Resin Impregnated/crushded neoprene option as the other stuff will compress at depth which can cause overweighting and loss of insulation. Neoprene also seems to have a little tighter fit and they have some stretch quality, and that can cause problems with valve drills but as with any drysuit I guess that is down to the fit.

Hope that helps

Andy

[Narked@50]

No need to duck, we've all been there.

The above replies are right but in brief:

Neoprean:

1. Has buoyancy (but slowly looses it the deeper you go due to compression)
2. Is heavier
3. Does not require an undersuit
4. Is more wear resistant
5. Has better flex

Membrane:

1. Has no built in buoyancy, so no loss of it
2. Is lighter
3. Can be wore cool in summer (no undersuit)
4. Or hot in winter (warm undersuit)
5. Less wear resistant, but cheaper to replace/fix
6. Has less flex but is worn &quot;loose&quot; for different undersuits
7. Fit is less important than tighter neoprean, so easier to buy/sell

Hope this summary helps, each has it's followers, try one of each if you can and go your own way depending on your personal preferance.

James

[Snash]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (John Gulliver @ Mar. 11 2004,22:41)]Is that really true? CRUSHED neoprene à la DUI is certainly really just a tougher alternative to trilam and has virtually no buoyancy or insulation but, surely, compressed neoprene still has basically the same properties as ordinary neoprene, just a bit less of them?

John - I agree with the point you make but the point I was making was that compared to 15 years ago (8mm neporene vs Typhoo TeaBag) the styles are converging.

There are also still 15 men on an union team, but if you look at Super 12's there ain't much forward action and both the England Union backs and the England 7's squad are coached by ex League men.

The key phrase was &quot;increasingly similar&quot; - but not the same.

Simon

[Ratbag]

Hmmmm...thanks for the replies..

So there isn't really one that is obviously better than the other then?

Seems I may have to try each of them on and make a decision..

The only problem with that is that if I try them on at my LDS, then I'll feel a bit like I should buy from them too and I was hoping to get a better internet-based deal...

having said that, I suppose I need to see how they fit...

I suppose also that you all have differing ideas as to the best make?

[Dominic]

Of course there is - membrance is by far the superior option. Neoprene is either uncrushed and awful, or crushed and expensive