what entry level ladies drysuit?

[NickBCotswold]

guess this one directed towards the ladies on the board....

my better half has just passed her OD (abroad) and now is SO bitten by the bug looking to try UK diving....

questions....

As she'd prob only dive in the summer, would a semi-dry suffice? (however she does feel the cold, so is it worth spending a bit more for a dry suit?)

If we went for that option, I myself dive in a membrane with undersuit and guess kindo of prefer that to neoprene - that said, need Jacqui to try both types on and make her own mind up - for a budget of £350-£400 what kind of suits would we be looking at and where from.....? (happy to drive for fitting!)

cheers

Nick

[Roz]

... my better half ... is SO bitten by the bug looking to try UK diving ... As she'd prob only dive in the summer, would a semi-dry suffice? Nick

If you both want to find out how bitten she is, steal, borrow, beg, hire a drysuit that fits her for a few dives and see how she gets on. The quickest way to kill her passion is to let her get cold. So in my experience the answer to your question is no a semi-dry won't suffice. I gibbered / dived my way through five years (more summer than winter) in a semi dry whilst I saved up for a dry suit. If you have the money, I'd go for a dry suit straight away. You'll have a much warmer, (therefore safer) happier wife. Or put it another way, how miserable and unhappy are you going to feel because she's shivering in a semi-dry, especially if you're sat there snug and warm in a dry suit. (You potentially would never hear the last of it).

... however she does feel the cold, so is it worth spending a bit more for a dry suit? Nick

Nick. Come on. Is this truly a serious question? Women tend to feel the cold much more. Mr Roz can debrief a training dive in his tshirt in the winter, whilst I am turning myself inside out with cold. UK diving is awesome, but you do need the right equipment for it. And who knows. You may well both end up diving all year round.

... I myself dive in a membrane with undersuit and guess kindo of prefer that to neoprene - that said, need Jacqui to try both types on and make her own mind up Nick

I'm a membrane girl. The only neoprene suit you'll get me into is an O'Three. I have no idea how they do it, but they manufacturer suits that not only look the business, but consistently perform. Apart from that generally my experience with neoprene has not been that favourable. It's been reminisent of taking a suit of armour diving. So I love trilam. You can layer up and down according to the water temp. The suit is generally lighter so you can pack it to go diving in Egypt in the winter when the wind can strip your bones after a dive. They're easier to don, dive and doff.

Recommend J goes for latex or if she can get them silicone seals because they are megga stretchy. Forget neoprene seals for ladies, we have big heads and small necks which makes for a challenging time with neoprene. (If you can get it over the head, you can hold a barn dance in the neck, or if it fits the neck, it's like giving birth to get it over the head).

Brands I dive;

Aqion Pro, DUI, Gates/Hunter, O'Three, Otter

If you find a second hand suit and the boots are the wrong size, but the rest fits ok, buy it. It's really easy to get the boots changed and shouldn't be a deal breaker.

If you want to PM me with some questions, feel free. HTH.

[NickBCotswold]

If you both want to find out how bitten she is, steal, borrow, beg, hire a drysuit that fits her for a few dives and see how she gets on. The quickest way to kill her passion is to let her get cold. So in my experience the answer to your question is no a semi-dry won't suffice. I gibbered / dived my way through five years (more summer than winter) in a semi dry whilst I saved up for a dry suit. If you have the money, I'd go for a dry suit straight away. You'll have a much warmer, (therefore safer) happier wife. Or put it another way, how miserable and unhappy are you going to feel because she's shivering in a semi-dry, especially if you're sat there snug and warm in a dry suit. (You potentially would never hear the last of it).



Nick. Come on. Is this truly a serious question? Women tend to feel the cold much more. Mr Roz can debrief a training dive in his tshirt in the winter, whilst I am turning myself inside out with cold. UK diving is awesome, but you do need the right equipment for it. And who knows. You may well both end up diving all year round.



I'm a membrane girl. The only neoprene suit you'll get me into is an O'Three. I have no idea how they do it, but they manufacturer suits that not only look the business, but consistently perform. Apart from that generally my experience with neoprene has not been that favourable. It's been reminisent of taking a suit of armour diving. So I love trilam. You can layer up and down according to the water temp. The suit is generally lighter so you can pack it to go diving in Egypt in the winter when the wind can strip your bones after a dive. They're easier to don, dive and doff.

Recommend J goes for latex or if she can get them silicone seals because they are megga stretchy. Forget neoprene seals for ladies, we have big heads and small necks which makes for a challenging time with neoprene. (If you can get it over the head, you can hold a barn dance in the neck, or if it fits the neck, it's like giving birth to get it over the head).

Brands I dive;

Aqion Pro, DUI, Gates/Hunter, O'Three, Otter

If you find a second hand suit and the boots are the wrong size, but the rest fits ok, buy it. It's really easy to get the boots changed and shouldn't be a deal breaker.

If you want to PM me with some questions, feel free. HTH.

Many thanks Roz.... very interesting especially about the seals (I didnt think about women having bigger heads and smaller necks etc!)

good stuff, will start the search........!

Nick

[Edward]

Nick

The real difference between a dry and wet (semi or not) is out of the water. If fitting correctly a wet suit will be fine until you get out for the surface interval (I experienced 8 years of it - before going dry).

As for membrane or neoprene, both work and you will get strong views in favour of both.

Roz's suggestion of 'borrowing' one is good advice.

Regards

Edward

[GaryC]

Regards

Edward


Freudian Slip
mmm "Council Mamber" should that read Mamba the one that strikes fear in to those that approach...

Sorry off topic.

[NickBCotswold]

Nick

The real difference between a dry and wet (semi or not) is out of the water. If fitting correctly a wet suit will be fine until you get out for the surface interval (I experienced 8 years of it - before going dry).

As for membrane or neoprene, both work and you will get strong views in favour of both.

Roz's suggestion of 'borrowing' one is good advice.

Regards

Edward

Thanks Edward - - think we're vying rtowards going straight for a membrane drysuit (will seek to borrow/try one first)

Nick