Neoprene or Membrane Drysuits??

[Soph]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to diving having finally completed my Ocean Diver at Easter with the delightful guys down at Plymouth Uni's Diving and Marine Centre. Anyway, I'd like to carry on diving when I go back in September but am thinking a drysuit will be needed as I froze in a wetsuit even at Easter !!!

I apologise now if this topic has be covered many times, feel free to point me in the right direction if it has ................. and if not :

For recreational diving, what's better, membrane or neoprene??
AND
Any thoughts on good brands to go for / who to avoid??

Also, as I'm a student, and therefore not particularly rich, recommendations for good suits that are in the cheaper half of the market would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Soph

[Dave (Simmo)]

Hi Soph,
there is no answer to your question as each has pro's and con's.
I have no doubt you'll get lots of answers saying this or that brand worked well for me and only cost........ I for example paid £350 total [for everything] for a Neoprene Typhoon Seamaster from my LDS. But they get mixed reviewes however it's into it's 3rd season [100+ dives] i've done nothing to it [i might have to wash it soon tho it's starting to pong a bit:D ].

reading between the lines are you considering buying a suit before your go back to uni?

if so I would advise against it or at least caution. A drysuit MUST fit, it is not something easily bought over the internet as we're all slightly different shapes and sizes and in certain circumstances a badly fitting suit could be dangerous.

Have you contacted the uni dive club? I’d bet even tho you may be on summer recess they'll still be diving and if you contact the club you'll be able to speak to an officer for some advice tailored to your needs [they obviously know you] I would expect them to work with you to obtain a suit which is appropriate to your needs. it's conceivable that a lapsed member of your own club has one they might sell second hand but get it checked out by someone in the know [your OWI for example].

alternatively pop into your LDS the staff there should be able to advise you on fit etc

Dave

[Nigel Hewitt]

For recreational diving, what's better, membrane or neoprene??That's a question with different answers dependant on who you ask. I'm no great fan of neo at the cheap end where I think you get a better suit for your money in membrane but at the more expensive end of the market you are paying for a quality product and they are all good.
I wrote it up once (http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/diving/rant/index.html#drysuit)...

[Janos]

Ebay is your friend for cheap suits. When looking for a suit for Missus Janos, I bought a suit on ebay, it didn't fit, so we then sold it on ebay. When selling it in my ad I said exactly what I was doing, and suggested that any potential buyer do the same. Ie buy it, and if it doesn't fit, flog it on.

Janos

[PeteM]

I would say avoid neoprene at all costs, unflexible and compresses at depth loosing warmth and bouyancy. Go for membrane or crushed/compressed neoprene.

Nigel's write up is good (but probably slightly membrane biased), read it and take the advice.

For makes two stand out as always getting better reviews than the rest, Otter for Membrane and O3 for compressed neoprene. No one else gets close for customer service to these two.

[Valley Boy]

That's a question with different answers dependant on who you ask. I'm no great fan of neo at the cheap end where I think you get a better suit for your money in membrane but at the more expensive end of the market you are paying for a quality product and they are all good.
I wrote it up once (http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/diving/rant/index.html#drysuit)...


Let me just say !-----Superb write up---:) ---Loads of usuful info !---:D

[AndyDavis]

RoHo do a very good range of membrane suits and do made-to-measure. This is best if you can actually get to their shop in Sheffield for measuring, but you can get the tape measure on yourself and send the right size through.

Keep a beady eye on Ebay for the occasional bargain. Pick ones within travelling distance, so that you can go around and try them on. My girlfriend got a good neoprene drysuit for £50 from Ebay, that she tried on in advance.

[Craig]

For new suits I would choose RoHo, the quality and price are good and made to measure is thrown in. I'm on my third suit from them now, the last one was the Quattro (cheapest membrane they do - bought it when I was a student) and it lasted 8 years without fault. I'm now on a Duratec and highly recomend them.

I've no experience of diving on neoprene, other than wetsuits so I can't give you an opinion on which is best.

[Gordon]

Northern Diver do some nice suits - they also have a system where the made to measure suits that people forgot to collect or that didnt quite fit them can be bought cheap (ish) ly. Look at the top left hand corner of ndiver.com

[Soph]

Cheer guys !!!

Thank so much for all the info and advice, it's been very useful, especially the write up :) I think I'm probably going to go with a membrane suit ........ but as for which one, who knows. I've still got a few monthes before I'm going to need it so I shall just keep investigating and keep my eyes pealed.

Thanks again :D