Confused!

[adam f]

OK - Ive been diving a 7mm semi for the last 2 years, but having freezed my nuts off at Vobster on Sat for the first 2 dives and then trying ShinyD's drysuit for 20 mins I am a complete convert and need a drysuit....NOW!!!

I have done plenty of research but am completely confused. I am leaning towards a membrane suit - advice from a few of the DIR guys, lightweight, quick drying are the attracting factors - however Dave suit on Sat was a 3mm compressed neo, and I must admit it felt lovely - warm, not baggy, not too much air moving around - just a solid suit.

I am 95% sold on a Seaskin - budget dictates (as I need one for the missues as well, so x2) and with all features added it comes in at £500 MTM. However Ive seen a few Seaskin membrane photos and the suits look pretty baggy.

So - what do I go for? Neo or membrane?

[Scubee]

Adam... you have heard the expression 'buy cheap, buy twice'? If i were in your shoes, i would be wandering down the road and getting a compressed neo from O'Three. It may cost you more, but it will be worth it. Mine does not take that long to dry (24 hours, hung from the kitchen doorway), it is flexible, roomy and best of all you get other divers fondling it on boats

Oh... and i have never had so much as a damp patch.

[yazzyfooty]

Not to sure I agree with your comments there scubee regarding buy cheap buy twice. Although Seaskin MTM is cheaper then the more well known 'named' suits, all the people that I know that owns one are very happy with their purchases and not had any issues/problems with it.

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by yazzyfooty

Not to sure I agree with your comments there scubee regarding buy cheap buy twice. Although Seaskin MTM is cheaper then the more well known 'named' suits, all the people that I know that owns one are very happy with their purchases and not had any issues/problems with it.

I know someone who is thinking of changing his O3 for a Seaskin.

[Miss Roxy Chablis]

I really think a Protec or a Polar Bears Explorer would be you best bet Adam - but that's a personal take

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by adam f

So - what do I go for? Neo or membrane?

Personally I'd recommend Membrane but it depends on your diving preferences....if you do choose a neo then I am selling my old Waterproof compressed neo .... it's in the Personal Ads section and a bit of a bargain, if I should say so myself
Mal

[Diving Dude]

To be honest l'b buy as cheap a suit as you possible can to start with, either neo or membrane, dive it for a year and then you'll know what you want from a suit.
If you buy second hand you can re-sell and not loose too much.

If you're about 6'1" to 6'3" have broad shoulders and a 30" waist and don't mind the colour orange, l have a brand new otter britannic dry suit for £150.

EDIT

Ooops this looks like l reccomended a second hand suit in order to sell mine, this is not what l meant.

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

To be honest l'b buy as cheap a suit as you possible can to start with, either neo or membrane, dive it for a year and then you'll know what you want from a suit.
If you buy second hand you can re-sell and not loose too much.

If you're about 6'1" to 6'3" have broad shoulders and a 30" waist and don't mind the colour orange, l have a brand new otter britannic dry suit for £150.

EDIT

Ooops this looks like l reccomended a second hand suit in order to sell mine, this is not what l meant.

Dude... I don't mean to be rude, but, Adam wanted a suit that wasn't baggy.

[Diving Dude]

Scubee, this was the second MTM suit that otter made me and for some reason they made it far to small at the waist.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by adam f

OK - Ive been diving a 7mm semi for the last 2 years, but having freezed my nuts off at Vobster on Sat for the first 2 dives and then trying ShinyD's drysuit for 20 mins I am a complete convert and need a drysuit....NOW!!!

I have done plenty of research but am completely confused. I am leaning towards a membrane suit - advice from a few of the DIR guys, lightweight, quick drying are the attracting factors - however Dave suit on Sat was a 3mm compressed neo, and I must admit it felt lovely - warm, not baggy, not too much air moving around - just a solid suit.

I am 95% sold on a Seaskin - budget dictates (as I need one for the missues as well, so x2) and with all features added it comes in at £500 MTM. However Ive seen a few Seaskin membrane photos and the suits look pretty baggy.

So - what do I go for? Neo or membrane?

Well hate to state the obvious, but you've tried on ShinyD's suit and you
are buying two, so I would have thought a trip to Andark and cutting a deal
on a pair of Drago's would be in order.

You've tried on what is one of the best cut suits you can get IMHO and
reckon unless it's of similar quality will always be disapointed.

I use to say Otter membrane/O3 Neo, but nowdays Waterproof are stealing
O 3's thunder. Might not be local, but they are damn good.