semi-dry suits

[Julie, Teesside]

Anyone got a particularly good one? I've tried on a Ralph tec (too baggy round the back at the waist) and a Cressi Comfort (I think) which looked more like a wetsuit. Fits well, but the cuffs don't look like they'd seal. Any recommendations?
thanks, Julie

[jorawley]

I've a 5mm mares Icelander which is full long leg and arms with sorties over the top.
Found this to be better for me than the longjohn with seperate jacket and long sleeves over the top but each to their own.

[Alan Taylor]

Anyone got a particularly good one? I've tried on a Ralph tec (too baggy round the back at the waist) and a Cressi Comfort (I think) which looked more like a wetsuit. Fits well, but the cuffs don't look like they'd seal. Any recommendations?
thanks, Julie


Here we go then, always wanted to know, in a semi-dry suit:-

Are you half-dry or half-wet?

Which bit is wet and which bit is dry?

What do divers want to be?:rolleyes:

PS support your local shop:)

[Chris Cherrington]

...Any recommendations?
thanks, Julie

Get a drysuit.

Chris

[Nigel Hewitt]

Get a drysuit.I'm afraid you are going to get this sort of advice from this sort of question. The sad truth is that a semi-dry is really a wet-suit with added marketing hype. Putting seals on to minimise water transfer makes a slight improvement but it's a bit marginal. If your diving has reached places where a wet suit won't cut it anymore the best advice is to admit it and go dry.

It's a bit more faffing about and nobody looks the dive god in a dry suit but it takes the temperature out of the question "Do you want to come diving this weekend?"

[Janos]

I like drysuits too.

However for wetsuits and semidrys, my advise is the same as with masks - start with the cheapest until you find one that fits you. I've got a Waterproof (that's the brand) wetsuit that I use on holiday and it's great, but I doubt that you and I have the same physique.

Janos

[Daniology]

A few websites:

http://www.othree.co.uk/

http://www.ndiver.com/site/index.html

http://www.roho.co.uk/acatalog/Robin_Hood_WS_Wetsuits_and_Drysuits_46.html

These people offer a made to measure service:

http://www.scubauk.com/thanks.html

I used to have a made to measure one by a company called Dream Marine. I can't seem to find them on the web though.


Predator are also claiming to do a made to measure but I can't seem to find it on their site this is the best I could find

http://www.predator-wetsuits.co.uk/Contact.htm

oh and I forgot the stylish beasts that are the beaver range at one point every trainee I knew had one of these.

http://www.beaversports.co.uk/

If you want an off the peg the best I can suggest is to try on as many as possible. They're all cut differently. Mares used to be good for the more curvacious, cressi a bit more straight up and down, bodyglove were pink is all I remember and really thick. O three were very nice but again you have to fit their standard size as with all off the peg I guess.

Hope my ramblings and thoses links are some help.

[Alan Taylor]

I'm afraid you are going to get this sort of advice from this sort of question. The sad truth is that a semi-dry is really a wet-suit with added marketing hype. Putting seals on to minimise water transfer makes a slight improvement but it's a bit marginal. If your diving has reached places where a wet suit won't cut it anymore the best advice is to admit it and go dry.

It's a bit more faffing about and nobody looks the dive god in a dry suit but it takes the temperature out of the question "Do you want to come diving this weekend?"

Shock horror, don't let John Bantin see that!!;)

[Julie, Teesside]

thanks for taking the time - most helpful reply! Perhaps I should just get a thicker wetsuit, seems to be the general feeling.........

Julie :)

[Alan Taylor]

thanks for taking the time - most helpful reply! Perhaps I should just get a thicker wetsuit, seems to be the general feeling.........

Julie :)

So a semi-dry IS a POSH wet suit.

As your in Teeside, may I suggest you support your local shop in Redcar and buy a local Typhoon suit, both have an excellent history. Keeps everyone in a job and these days you can say you are helping the enviroment.:)