Add Dry Suit Pocket

[Colin Jeffrey]

Hi

I want to add a pocket to the leg of my membrane dry suit. Can anyone advise best methode and which adhesive to use?

[Hickdive]

Bostik 2402 or equivalent two-part adhesive. Seaskin do an equivalent for under £15.

Make sure both surfaces are roughened slightly then cleaned with a little thinner. Put a thin layer of adhesive on each surface and let dry. Once dry, put another thin layer on each surface then let it dry until a knuckle touched on the adhesive comes away clean, put the pocket on the suit at this point and roller it down firmly ensuring no air bubbles.

Put a little weight on top and the leave to dry, ideally for 48 hours until fully cured.

[Paul Burgess]

Glue-only on a membrane suit is a short term fix. It will start to peel off after a while.

The most long-lasting method is to have it sewn on and the holes sealed.

1st technique is DIY; 2nd best left to the professionals

[Andy (treerat)]

Glue the pocket to a piece on neo then glue neo to the suit - or that looks like the procedure carried out by Polar Bears when they did mine :)

[Colin Jeffrey]

Thanks for the advice. I think to be carefull and not spoil a perfectly good dry suit I will take it to the shop and get it done professionally. I normally prefer to do things myself as much from a satisfaction perspective as for cost, but in this case I don't want to spoil a new suit.

[PeteM]

Thanks for the advice. I think to be carefull and not spoil a perfectly good dry suit I will take it to the shop and get it done professionally. I normally prefer to do things myself as much from a satisfaction perspective as for cost, but in this case I don't want to spoil a new suit.

Otter are not that far from you and have a good reputation. They added pockets to both my and SWMBO's suits a couple of years ago. Wasn't that expensive either

[Roz]

I'd second that. I had a pocket replaced on a suit and a pocket added on another suit and Otter did a cracking professional job in both instances. It was easy. Hand the suit in, give them a credit card and the result was something that looked good and worked.

[Colin Jeffrey]

Thanks Pete and Roz, I'll give them a go:)

[trwen555]

"not spoil a perfectly good dry suit.........do things myself as much from a satisfaction perspective as for cost"
What about the pockets sold by some UK diving retailers that you clip on your BCD and tie round your leg? I don't know how they compare for cost, but would hazard a guess they're probably cheaper and no messy glue. A bit more fussing around when kitting up but what with everything else, a couple of seconds more would seem OK

[Ron MacRae]

"not spoil a perfectly good dry suit.........do things myself as much from a satisfaction perspective as for cost"
What about the pockets sold by some UK diving retailers that you clip on your BCD and tie round your leg? I don't know how they compare for cost, but would hazard a guess they're probably cheaper and no messy glue. A bit more fussing around when kitting up but what with everything else, a couple of seconds more would seem OK

However they also add some snagging points. I once had a problem getting a clip on pocket snagged on a fishtail ladder while trying to get out in a very bouncy sea. Couldn't go up or down and clinging on for dear life with a heavy twinset. Ended up having to force my way up and ripping the pocket off.:o

Ron.

[Woz]

I've never seen a self-glued pocket that hasn't looked either rubbish or was peeling off. I'd leave it to the professionals who do it every day.