Replacement seals for dry suit: Latex or neo?

[Cussy]

Sorry, this is probably a common question, but not found a satisfactory answer.

I've got a Beaver neoprene drysuit. I've had it four years and often get wet during the dive, sometimes soaking. I've had the neoprene neck seal adjusted once, but I think it needs replacement.

I'm also a photographer, and notice that when I take a portrait oriented photo the suit leaks up the wrist seals - this influences how I take my photos in the winter. I've got very skinny wrists and clear channels when I do certain things.

So, if the seals need replacing, should I change like for like on both neck and wrists and stay with neoprene, or change to latex?

Before I get answers like "buy a new suit" or "shouldn't have bought Beaver", that may well be true, but can't afford a whole new suit, I've spent far too much on the camera setup so have to live with what I have for the foreseeable.
Rob

[fatlaz]

When I first got my suit it had latex neck and wrist seals. Several latex neck seals later, and quite a few leaks, I changed the neck seal to neoprene but left the wrist seals as latex.

I have found that I get no leaks down my neck, my neck is warmer and I haven't managed to destroy it yet either

I have never had neoprene wrist seals but some of my mates have had them and have said that folding them over is a right nuisance, as such I think I will stick with latex TBH. If you kept having problems with the wrists leaking you could always opt for the o-ring dry gloves, they may be a touch bulky for photography work though I suppose.

Hope this helps although I haven't really answered the question at all sorry

Ben

[Early Rub-up]

Originally Posted by Cussy

I've got very skinny wrists and clear channels when I do certain things.

i have the same trouble but if i use heavy duty latex seals not the cone shape but the bottle neck ones i find theres more contact with my wrist(im sure theres an innuendo in there somewhere) and dont get any water going in fitted them my self and got the seals from cannock scuba

[Cussy]

Thanks for replies

Now for some utter madness: Is there any reason why I can't glue heavy duty latex seals under the existing neoprene wrist seals? I'll be using the latex as the seal and the neo just for warmth. I then hopefully have the best of both.
Rob

[jackdiver]

Originally Posted by Cussy

Now for some utter madness: Is there any reason why I can't glue heavy duty latex seals under the existing neoprene wrist seals? I'll be using the latex as the seal and the neo just for warmth. I then hopefully have the best of both.
Rob

I can't see why not, provided there is enough room to fit the latex seal with out any bunching.

I'd have to say that if there is enough room, then maybe your neoprene seal is actually too large...

[Daz217]

Cussy if it's any consolation i have the exact same problem with my neoprene wrist seals when taking photo's and i could not be described as skinny in any way shape or form.

[Twinsetmad]

Originally Posted by Cussy

Thanks for replies

Now for some utter madness: Is there any reason why I can't glue heavy duty latex seals under the existing neoprene wrist seals? I'll be using the latex as the seal and the neo just for warmth. I then hopefully have the best of both.
Rob

there should be no problem with this...

There are very different types of neoprene neck and wrist seals about...

Places like Othree use a super soft neoprene seal... I've had my suit for 3 years now and I'm still on the orginal seals... and I'm still dry. I had a new set of seals put on my old suit by Hydrotec via Stoney and they were awful... very stiff and unforgiving... really hard to put on and take off. I hated them....shop about, but stay with neoprene neck .

[ardhill]

I use a neo neck seal and heavy duty latex wrist seals. I have thin wrists and no problems with leaks.

I would have thought you would have a problem getting latex wrist seal onto your neo seals. For a start the circumference of the neo wrist will be smaller than what is required / optimal for fitting a latex seal. The latex seal is supposed to go on a wider circumference, than you would get on a wrist seal.

[Cussy]

Thanks for all this. I'm going to phone Seaskin and see what they can do for me. I think the neoprene neck and heavy duty latex wrist seals might be the way to go. Proper dry gloves then become an option.

I was given a wonderful bit of advice a couple of months ago. Someone suggested getting dry gloves with latex seals. Put the gloves on and place the neoprene seals flush over the latex ones. I had a think about this and thought it sounded like a good idea, and sounded a bit like the bioseal thingy. After realising it was virtually impossible to do on your own, I gave it a try in the water. As soon as my arm went in the water I could feel the water flooding in and immediately abandoned that one. It was if there was no seal on the suit at all. So I suppose you can't trust all bits of advice!
Rob