Dry Suit

[Tommy Gore]

must be an old favorite on these forums, but i do need some help and advice on the issue. I am a recently new to english diving(Padi Open Water May 2004) i have joined BSAC and my local club and started to enhance my skills and learn all over again doing the sport diver training, but now i need to move on and i must start getting ready for dives in colder waters, hence my question : its a mine field out there for dry suits--i am of a small statue (male) only just 5 foot 6inches and i know i will most likely have to go for a Made to measure suit, but where does one start, i live in the midlands and dive shops are few and far between, anyone got any help in what type of suit to buy--it can be an expensive choice if you get it wrong :-( i dont fancy the idea of buying a second hand one and finding out in six months time that it does not really do my diving any justice.

thanks for the help in advance.

Dive Safely

regards.

[Andy Wade]

must be an old favorite on these forums, but i do need some help and advice on the issue. I am a recently new to english diving(Padi Open Water May 2004) i have joined BSAC and my local club and started to enhance my skills and learn all over again doing the sport diver training, but now i need to move on and i must start getting ready for dives in colder waters, hence my question : its a mine field out there for dry suits--i am of a small statue (male) only just 5 foot 6inches and i know i will most likely have to go for a Made to measure suit, but where does one start, i live in the midlands and dive shops are few and far between, anyone got any help in what type of suit to buy--it can be an expensive choice if you get it wrong :-( i dont fancy the idea of buying a second hand one and finding out in six months time that it does not really do my diving any justice.

thanks for the help in advance.

Dive Safely


Otter Watersports in Bradford, John Womack's service is second to none in my opinion.
They do mail order too and they have an online 'made to measure' form so that you can measure yourself up for the suit.



.

[Mike Halligan]

Where do you start?

I guess you've already started, by learning to dive and then by joining a BSAC club (Welcome, by the way). What's the trend in your club? Is one suit a clear favourite and does anyone venture a reason why? This could be simple prejudice, urban myth or the FACT that the local shop gives fantastic service on a certain brand or style.

You will have your suit a long time. I still use the first suit I bought almost 10 years ago. Another one that I was talked into as Branch favourite is in storage but usable after 9 (and 5 of those idle!).

With increasing experience and, crucially, experience of other Branches I learnt that the Branch favourite was no more than prejudice and reverted to the suit I was steered away from. Now, as an Instructor, I talk through the options at length with trainees. Unless they're dripping cash from every pore, I favour a simple membrane suit with the best undersuit they can afford. I see this as the better option for Northern UK waters. The context? _Most_ Branch diving is off Scotland and takes place _all_ year round.

If you search the web, you will find several manufacturers' sites and they tend to offer size guides, options and cost comparisons. In no particular order - Otter, O Three and Northern Diver are worth considering but many dive shops have their 'own brand' often made for them by surprisingly expensive brands.

Hope this helps you start your search.

Mike

[Keith Lawrence(BSAC)]

must be an old favorite on these forums...

Hi Tommy!

We haven't done dry suits for a while so feel free to ask - welcome to the club BTW. There's quite a good summary of various questions on the UKRS site, link below.

A good bit of advice is always "ask the divers", if you're around somewhere like Stoney where divers congregate then feel free to ask. Divers LOVE talking about kit and most would be more than willing to talk to you if you ask them.

Me? I'm very slightly taller than you (5' 7") and I went for a membrane suit. Mine is "off the peg" with only the boots fitted to my size. I chose membrane because fit is not quite so important and it allowed me to buy "off the peg". Mine is an Aquion Pro, I've had it about seven years now, a couple of rounds of wrist/neck seals and it's only just (this year) had a new zip. Works for me, may not work for you however!

Also consider the undersuit, especially if you do choose membrane. Mine is a Weasel (sp?), slightly more expensive but a brilliant undersuit that I've had for about four or five years.

You'll get as many opinions as there are divers on this one Tommy, but I hope that the replies give you some insight into the different options available. Choose well and it will last you many years!

HTH

Keith L

[terryh]

Well IMO the first thing to do is STOP!
Dont buy anything!

You say you are in the Midlands and we are almost into August.
If you can hang on for a just over 2 months then the NEC dive
show beckons.

In the meantime checkout your local dive store, surf the web,
get brochures from manufacturers. Ask your mates at your club.
Get a wish list together of suits and get an idea of cost.

Now the best bit. When you buy at the shows the guys who make
the suits are all there. Not only are MTM suits sold at off the
peg (or less) prices, but you can be assured of getting the
measurements right. Often you can get good deals thrown in like
cheaper undersuits or free pockets etc.

Personally if you want a membrane then go Otter.
Neoprene, gotta be an O three.

Others to have a close look at are .....
Northern Diver, Gates, DUI (Only if its old SDS stock),
Scubapro Spitzburgen has a nice cut, Body Glove, Oceanic and
Poseidon.

The only ones that I would steer clear of, are those who make
sailing drysuits and think they can do dive ones. They cant!

HTH
TerryH

[PeteM]

Otter Watersports in Bradford, John Womack's service is second to none in my opinion.
They do mail order too and they have an online 'made to measure' form so that you can measure yourself up for the suit.

Seconded. My ancient and well worn Otter had it's zip go recently (my fault, I knew it was on the way out but thought I could get to the end of the season) went one weekend they had it repaired and back to me by the next. That level of service is hard to beat.

[terryh]

:=Otter Watersports in Bradford, John Womack's service is second to none in my opinion.
:=They do mail order too and they have an online 'made to measure' form so that you can measure yourself up for the suit.

Seconded. My ancient and well worn Otter had it's zip go recently (my fault, I knew it was on the way out but thought I could get to the end of the season) went one weekend they had it repaired and back to me by the next. That level of service is hard to beat.

How about this one then. Sent late Monday afternoon via
Securicor to Otter for Zip replacement. Got knock on door
and suit (now repaired) on Wed AM. They must have got it Tues,
repaired it and sent it out same day.
They really do have an excellent after sales service.

TerryH

[alunharford]

:=:=Otter Watersports in Bradford, John Womack's service is second to none in my opinion.
:=:=They do mail order too and they have an online 'made to measure' form so that you can measure yourself up for the suit.
:=
:=Seconded. My ancient and well worn Otter had it's zip go recently (my fault, I knew it was on the way out but thought I could get to the end of the season) went one weekend they had it repaired and back to me by the next. That level of service is hard to beat.

How about this one then. Sent late Monday afternoon via
Securicor to Otter for Zip replacement. Got knock on door
and suit (now repaired) on Wed AM. They must have got it Tues,
repaired it and sent it out same day.
They really do have an excellent after sales service.

Me too.

I got a suit from them within 2 days of giving them my *correct* measurements.
And it's great.

Alun Harford

[Tommy Gore]

:=must be an old favorite on these forums...

Hi Tommy!

We haven't done dry suits for a while so feel free to ask - welcome to the club BTW. There's quite a good summary of various questions on the UKRS site, link below.

A good bit of advice is always "ask the divers", if you're around somewhere like Stoney where divers congregate then feel free to ask. Divers LOVE talking about kit and most would be more than willing to talk to you if you ask them.

Me? I'm very slightly taller than you (5' 7") and I went for a membrane suit. Mine is "off the peg" with only the boots fitted to my size. I chose membrane because fit is not quite so important and it allowed me to buy "off the peg". Mine is an Aquion Pro, I've had it about seven years now, a couple of rounds of wrist/neck seals and it's only just (this year) had a new zip. Works for me, may not work for you however!

Also consider the undersuit, especially if you do choose membrane. Mine is a Weasel (sp?), slightly more expensive but a brilliant undersuit that I've had for about four or five years.

You'll get as many opinions as there are divers on this one Tommy, but I hope that the replies give you some insight into the different options available. Choose well and it will last you many years!

HTH

Keith L


As always very sound advice on here and thank you for the welcome to BSAC :-)
i will continue to read any further advice, but i intend to follow the advice given so far,I will order some information on all the above and i will wait for the Dive Show and with luck i will have made up my mind, when it starts and i may get a good deal, in the meantime, i will use my clubs gear and get some training in before i purchase a suit---once again thanks for the great info.

dive safely

regards

Tommy

[Joe Sniadek]

must be an old favorite on these forums, but i do need some help and advice on the issue. I am a recently new to english diving(Padi Open Water May 2004) i have joined BSAC and my local club and started to enhance my skills and learn all over again doing the sport diver training, but now i need to move on and i must start getting ready for dives in colder waters, hence my question : its a mine field out there for dry suits--i am of a small statue (male) only just 5 foot 6inches and i know i will most likely have to go for a Made to measure suit, but where does one start, i live in the midlands and dive shops are few and far between, anyone got any help in what type of suit to buy--it can be an expensive choice if you get it wrong :-( i dont fancy the idea of buying a second hand one and finding out in six months time that it does not really do my diving any justice.

thanks for the help in advance.

Dive Safely

regards.

I was in the same boat as you about 18 months ago when I was learning (of course I still am). After listening to the members of my club it seemed about a 50/50 split with at least one changing from membrane to neoprene and regretting it. In the end I went to Mike's dive shop in Rugby and asked for advice. He couldn't have been more helpful, even to the extent of getting his own suit out and putting it on so I could see the fit. No he didn't try to sell me one, he just offered advice and a free coffee.
I would suggest going to a good dive shop for help and advice as I did.

Regards