Drysuit Dilemma

[Scubee]

The problem many divers have is that they can look at websites, talk to people they know who dive but ateotd, they need a bit more to ensure they don't make an expensive mistake. Not everyone has the money to be able to easily resolve a drysuit mistake.

They very often aren't in a position to 'try before they buy' and ask opinions based on experience.

I think it is fair to say that on here, very few people have had a poor experience with either Seaskin on O'three, so if there is an opinion sought for a drysuit, those are the two mainstream manufacturers that arre likely to be recommended - a lot down to the fact of their excellent customer service.

Of course people will recommend what they have if asked for an opinion. They will also tell you what is rubbish - based on experience. I wouldn't touch oceanic - I have heard too many bad stories, and dives with too many people who have ended up wet.

But if you want neo - go for O'three. If you want membrane (and don't want to pay OTT for DUE ), the go for Seaskin.

Both offer excellent suits, and both have excellent customer service.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by ShinyD

Offense wasn't intended Helen, but if you want to feel offended from it then feel free. If you'd been asked to give advice about a drysuit 6 months ago you'd have been in favour of neoprene.

Yes, which is why I suggest in my post going to Seaskin having seen both their membrane and neo suits in action. The OP has asked for a quality MTM at the cheapest price and Seaskin is is a helluva lot closer to Leeds than O Three. The reason I went for a membrane over neo is not because I actually prefer membrane, it's because I specifically wanted a front loader.

None of the other neo manufacturers could or would produce me a neo front loader within my budget, including O Three, Seaskin, Otter and Bare. As Seaskin do both type of suits you can discuss your options and see the product at the factory.

[purple vonny]

Hi Nat, look what you've done now. Caused a bloomin fight.

You are very slim and you might have to get a made to measure suit. The most important things about a budget drysuit for the type of diving you are doing is that they FIT and they don't leak.

They are a massively expensive piece of kit.

I agonised for 18 months before buying one. I ended up getting a MTM from Gryphon
Gryphon Watersports Online

I've never met anyone else on YD who has had a suit from them. So maybe they aren't every one's cup of tea. But they will custom build your suit to your exact specifications, boots, valves, wrist/neck seals, colour, material (quite a few different types of laminate to choose from). They are very helpful.

If you belong to a club, can you ask to borrow different types and try them in the pool? That will give you a bit of a feel for them.

Sometimes, dive shops have second hand ones for sale. You could buy a cheap one and get it altered to fit. ( I know you are a student and therefore poor!)

It's a big purchase and a tough choice to get it right.

But you might not want to listen to me cos my suit is orange and makes me a laughing stock on YD! Still, the students love it because they can see me.

[robertsT]

I got my Aqua-tek suit from these guys about 5 years ago they are much cheaper than alot of the more fashionable companies and I can't fault mine. In five years i've done about 200 dives in it changed the seals twice and the zip once.

DivePursuits: Scuba Diving equipment and Snorkelling equipment from divepursuits.com

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

Hi Nat, look what you've done now. Caused a bloomin fight.

You are very slim and you might have to get a made to measure suit. The most important things about a budget drysuit for the type of diving you are doing is that they FIT and they don't leak.

They are a massively expensive piece of kit.

I agonised for 18 months before buying one. I ended up getting a MTM from Gryphon
Gryphon Watersports Online

I've never met anyone else on YD who has had a suit from them. So maybe they aren't every one's cup of tea.

Maybe it's because their website is written in Latin?

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

But you might not want to listen to me cos my suit is orange and makes me a laughing stock on YD! Still, the students love it because they can see me.

I think you look perfectly lovely in your suit my dear

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Richard Mason

Maybe it's because their website is written in Latin?

Nah, thats Lorem Ipsum.

Maybe they will get around to writing their own text someday

[Gogs]

I would advise try as many on as you can and see what fits best...

(then look at the price tag and go 'oh sh*t! Diving is an expensive hobby!')

Gogs

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

Nah, thats Lorem Ipsum.

Maybe they will get around to writing their own text someday

Everyday, I try to learn something new; right now, it's 10.31PM and so far, I had come perilously close to finishing the day as ignorant as I started but Mr Kelland has saved me!

[Subvynal]

Hey, have you dived in a drysuit yet? If not there are a bunch of places in your area who can train you to dive in a drysuit. The drysuit course is useful as it allows you to try a suit on and use it for your course. Some centre's hire them out and you can try out before you buy. I have two friends who have just bought the Oceanic Flexi-Neoprene (think its called a Comfodry??) drysuit from Diving Leisure Leeds and they love them. Check out their website divingleisure.co.uk or give them a call on 0113 245 7976.

I dive in an Otter Brittanic trilaminate at the moment, but am looking to change to the Bare CDX2 Pro Dry which is much more flexible and warmer crushed neoprene. The Otter is not very flexible, but it is tough as old boots and has done about 400 dives and is still going.

Sub