Membrame dry suits: what's a good fit

[Vicky]

Hi,
I am new to diving in colder waters, and so I now am faced with my first buy of a dry suit. Since I simply don't have a lot of money and am not planning to make it the focus of my diving to remain in cold water, I have looked into buying second hand (like on ebay).

Here are my questions:
1) which dimension(i.e. lenght, or chest size etc) is the most important? When I tried out a borrowed suit, it got the impression that it is not so important how big it is (since w/o air it'll be snug), but it is rather important that you don't lose the boots. So, I assume the length is the most important dimension? Hence, when looking at used ones, should I chose one that I rather not too long?
2) I dive with a 7mm semi-dry even in 24degree water(and warmer), and I still get cold at the end of the dive. What kind of undersuit would I need to dive in UK waters comfortably? (100, 200 etc gr.)
3) how much larger should I leave the chest/hips dimensions than my body measures to be comfortable in the dry suit even with undersuit (i.e. how to go from body measure into measure tables for right dry suit size)?
4) I saw that there is a dive show on in London this weekend. Do they sell dry suits less expensive, and if, how much cheaper than a good internet price? (for example, I have seen the ND Vortex for 399pounds at http://www.aberdeenwatersports.com).
5) I have never seen anyone dive in membrane dry suits in warm water. WHy is that? In general, change the undersuit that you have, and it would be comfortable also in warm water and prob. need less weight, right?

Ok, these are all of my questions. Since the dive show is on Sat, I would really appreciate some quick insights ;-)

Thanks a lot in advance,
Vicky

[hypertigger]

membranes tend to be be 'baggier' however i'd say make sure it's not too far off your own measurements, and i think length would be more important, says me who has a neoprene suit.....

i thought that body measurement tables would give you a suit vaguely the right size as in, the suit would fit you with an undersuit on. the tables i've seen, just give measurements, then a suit size that would fit...

and i also dive in a 2 piece semi in warm water, but i have dived in water down to about 17 degrees, and it was a bit chilly for me esp after an hour or so. how long are your dives? do you fin much? anyway

you will find a good deal at the dive show (not sure how much better than the net though), people like beaver and otter take loads of suits with them, i've always seen loads and loads of suits hung up for people to try on. I really recommend you try before you buy. silly question are you a 'normal' size, as in bigger than size 8? and not really short; less than 5'2"? i had huge problems with suits because i'm petite, i've had 2 mtm suits, and my 2nd one is much better. can you come down to the dive show? you'd be able to have a look at undersuit stuff too.

under a membrane you need to wear more than you would with a neoprene, so at least a 200 weight fleece/thinsulate for you, if you get as cold as you do. possibly several layers, i wear a chill cheater set, with a 100weight fleece as well in 6-10 degree water, and i have a neoprene suit, so i think you may need more than that. you may find that being dry will help tremendously.

i don't know why people generally don't use membranes in warm water, may be they can't be bothered with the phaff.

hope this helps a bit

[Alan Ewart]

Hi,
I am new to diving in colder waters, and so I now am faced with my first buy of a dry suit. Since I simply don't have a lot of money and am not planning to make it the focus of my diving to remain in cold water, I have looked into buying second hand (like on ebay).

Here are my questions:
1) which dimension(i.e. lenght, or chest size etc) is the most important? When I tried out a borrowed suit, it got the impression that it is not so important how big it is (since w/o air it'll be snug), but it is rather important that you don't lose the boots. So, I assume the length is the most important dimension? Hence, when looking at used ones, should I chose one that I rather not too long?

IMHO it is very important that your suits fits properly. If its too big you may get air migrating or trapped. This can be very dangerous especially when ascending

2) I dive with a 7mm semi-dry even in 24degree water(and warmer), and I still get cold at the end of the dive. What kind of undersuit would I need to dive in UK waters comfortably? (100, 200 etc gr.)

If you feel the cold that much you will need central heating in a membrane suit. something like 4th element base layer and a weezle extreme


3) how much larger should I leave the chest/hips dimensions than my body measures to be comfortable in the dry suit even with undersuit (i.e. how to go from body measure into measure tables for right dry suit size)?

4) I saw that there is a dive show on in London this weekend. Do they sell dry suits less expensive, and if, how much cheaper than a good internet price? (for example, I have seen the ND Vortex for 399pounds at http://www.aberdeenwatersports.com).

You stand a good chance of picking up a clearance bargain from one of the big internet retailers. They will all be at the show. At least you can trythem on and ensure you get a decent fit

5) I have never seen anyone dive in membrane dry suits in warm water. WHy is that? In general, change the undersuit that you have, and it would be comfortable also in warm water and prob. need less weight, right?

Cause if the water is that warm you dont need a drysuit, i'd be in a 3mm shorty and wouldnt need any weight
Ok, these are all of my questions. Since the dive show is on Sat, I would really appreciate some quick insights ;-)

Thanks a lot in advance,
Vicky


I hope that helps

[Daniology]

Hi,
I am new to diving in colder waters, and so I now am faced with my first buy of a dry suit. Since I simply don't have a lot of money and am not planning to make it the focus of my diving to remain in cold water, I have looked into buying second hand (like on ebay).

Here are my questions:
1) which dimension(i.e. lenght, or chest size etc) is the most important? When I tried out a borrowed suit, it got the impression that it is not so important how big it is (since w/o air it'll be snug), but it is rather important that you don't lose the boots. So, I assume the length is the most important dimension? Hence, when looking at used ones, should I chose one that I rather not too long?
2) I dive with a 7mm semi-dry even in 24degree water(and warmer), and I still get cold at the end of the dive. What kind of undersuit would I need to dive in UK waters comfortably? (100, 200 etc gr.)
3) how much larger should I leave the chest/hips dimensions than my body measures to be comfortable in the dry suit even with undersuit (i.e. how to go from body measure into measure tables for right dry suit size)?
4) I saw that there is a dive show on in London this weekend. Do they sell dry suits less expensive, and if, how much cheaper than a good internet price? (for example, I have seen the ND Vortex for 399pounds at http://www.aberdeenwatersports.com).
5) I have never seen anyone dive in membrane dry suits in warm water. WHy is that? In general, change the undersuit that you have, and it would be comfortable also in warm water and prob. need less weight, right?

Ok, these are all of my questions. Since the dive show is on Sat, I would really appreciate some quick insights ;-)

Thanks a lot in advance,
Vicky

I've never owned a membrane drysuit so I'm not really sure about which dimensions are best. Norther diver used to do a good sizing chart on their website. I'm just had a look and its been upgraded to a step by step size finder. You could start by trying that.

http://www.diversizer.co.uk/

As for membrane suits in warm water I've seen a few red sea dive guides with them they just wear swim wear and sometimes a t-shirt under them.

[TerryH]

I would definatley go to the show and get your suit there for one simple
reason.

No matter what deal you get on the internet, the show will match it with
one BIG difference. Decent outfits will throw MTM in at the same price.

And this is the important bit.

The ones doing the measuring are the ones who are going to make it.
If it doesnt fit then they did it wrong and our obliged to redoe it.

So dont mess around with self-measuring, get the pros to do it
properly and get a suit that really fits.

T.

[Vicky]

thank you very much for all your fast replies. It seems peole do agree that going to that show is going to be a good idea. However, it would take me about 9 hourse there and back, so it would take a lot of time, but also cost money. So, it would be really annoying if I would then discover that the prices are not being matched. Are you sure they would be able to beat the 399 for the Vortex?

I agree that I have to try the suit on, but that could be arranged in the area, so the only reason to go down to London is in fact the price.

About the online sizing tool: it seems to be quite suerficial, I think it asked me only two measures and was already sure I couls fit into their normal range. However, while I am quite normally built-I do have a "problem zone" which might make it difficult for me to chose a normally-measured suit.

To get the prizes on the internet: should I just tell them what I found, or is it better to take some print-outs etc? ANy other tips and tricks to bring the price down?

[Daniology]

If you have a problem zone get made to measure and I'd take print outs if you're going to the show.

[TerryH]

Ok look at it another way.

If you buy it at the show or via the internet they are not going to have it
made, so all you need is the show price and they should match it.

But ..............

I can guarantee that whatever you get, chances are that it may need an
adjustment. Thats why I will always go for a firm that has a fantastic
rep for aftersales. Very good if you need new neck seals etc.

So if I were you I'd look here.
http://www.drysuits.co.uk/

I've bought a fair few from them and never had any reason to be disapointed
and will be visiting them again for some more on Sat :)

Basic Otterskin rear entry with cargopockets. Cant be beat.:D

HTH

T.

[Ant Slegg]

Personally I'd recommend Polar Bear (but they will not be at the show).

If checking the fit make sure that underneath it you are dressed as you expect to be when diving (with breathable undersuits old diving T-shirts and other stuff are best avoided as they trap sweat against the skin making you feel colder - yes 'less actually can be more"). Then make sure that the things you regularly do when kitting up (i.e. fitting fins when seated/standing) are feasible.

The ultimate check is to kneel down sit back on your legs and then reach around you with your arms. A good fitting suit will restrict you compared with say just a T-shirt and shorts but it shouldn't be too much. Also you shouldn't feel too much of a tug on your neck seal (a new one will feel tight but can be trimmed - very carefully!!). If you know someone who has a membrane suit, loves it and has dry dives take him/her along for advice.

Getting boots that fit is important. Again if you are planning to wear undersuit bootees wear these. The boots shouldn't compress the bootees too much (the result is cold feet) but shouldn't be so slack that you lose contact with your fins. You might want to take a fin with you to check that.

Neck seals are available in neoprene if you plan long dives/stops or just feel the cold.

Dump valves are either fitted to the shoulder (and are "automatic") or fitted to the wrist and the arm has to be raised to adjust buoyancy. I prefer the former as it will dump when overpressured and can be adjusted but some people hate them and the arguments in bars are long and heated. The shoulder ones are more expensive so - You pays your money...

Finally when you do get it try and get it into your training pool for a check out with someone with membrane suit experience.

Ant S

[hypertigger]

you can save money by going via the net if you really can't get to london for the dive show, but as many have said, getting yourself measured up and talking to a suit maker makes a huge difference.

i had so many problems with my old suit that i spent most of the time fighting the suit (wrist and neck seals not very stretchy, the suit was also very restrictive, and it was physically tiring diving in it), dump valve falling off, leaking after having a new stretchy neck seal put on: having so much water in my suit that 2 guys were contemplating holding me upside down to dump all the water out, but they didn't cos i was blue and they thought i might get even colder - it was very cool dive off the manacles, but i swear all i remember is being very cold, and all the pretty colours.

basically, you can save yourself potential hassle, if you try a suit on first, or talk to people in person, i know they are ultimately try to sell you a suit, but all the manufacturers i've talked to, won't sell you a suit that won't fit or suit you.

good luck with which ever way you decide to go!

[Vicky]

Hi again,

someone just recommended a seaskin to me (http://www.seaskin.co.uk/). They are MTM. However, to be honest, I don't know anything about that manufacturer. Does anyone know if they are good? How to compare with the Vortex or an Otter? It costs 428 pounds as MTM (incl. postage), do you think I could get anything better for less/same price in London this weekend?

Thanks a lot again,
Vicky

[iain aitchison]

Hi Vicky,

a good straight forward suit is the basic membrane model from RoHo RobinHood Watersports near Leeds- Bradford in Yorkshire. 200g Fleece and a thermal top are fine and cheap for the UK. The material had no stretch so make sure you can bend down and do the fins straps up. MtoM or standard sizes. Excellent value and they take a real hammering.

Mine is an Otter Britannic - it takes a hammering too. Pockets useful for teaching and tech diving, but for beginners by no means essential.

Watch the boots with your fins that everything fits. You do not want to lose control of the fins or let them come off, equally they should not pinch.

regards
Iain

[Vicky]

Hi all, thank you so much for all your advice. I did go down to the show yesterday, and I had a great day, and feel it was worth it. There were so many vendors there with so many different suits, that it was a great way to get some overview of what's there. Finally, I bought a suit that fit like a second skin as normal size: the Otter skin! I know the otter's are generally well thought of, but what about the skin? Anyway, I think I got a really good price, so I am actually really happy! Thanks a lot again to you all for helping me with your advice ;-)

[Ben Panter]

the Otter skin! I know the otter's are generally well thought of, but what about the skin?
IMHO, at that price point, you won't do better. I'm sure you'll enjoy many years of happy diving with it, and don't forget that in a few years when you start to see some niggles you can always send it back to otter for a service for a very reasonable cost. Good bunch there...

Ben

[iain aitchison]

Hi Vicky,

good choice. Safe diving.

regards
Iain