Avon Rubber Drysuit- Should i buy it as first drysuit?

[nistevie]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on an Avon Rubber Drysuit? Is it worth buying? How does it compare to more modern suits?

I have an option to buy an Avon drysuit (Black rubber NATO suit) for £50 including an under suit. The suit seems to be in pretty good condition, it has one large patch where it looks like a valve used to be fitted and a couple of small patches but other wise looks fine. Seems to fit OK, thought Im not exactly sure how it should fit but its not exessivly baggy and doesnt restrict movement to any great degree.

I am new to drysuit diving and will be doing a course shortly before venturing out to the open water in a drysuit with dive buddies. Until now I have only dived in warmer climates or in the UK mid summer on wearing a couple of wet suits so dont really know alot about drysuits/drysuit diving.

Thanks

[Richard Whitcombe]

If it fits and doesnt leak i'd say buy it.

The Avon suits although looking a bit retro work quite happily and will do as a first suit.
The price is good too.

[Tony Dwyer]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on an Avon Rubber Drysuit? Is it worth buying? How does it compare to more modern suits?

I have an option to buy an Avon drysuit (Black rubber NATO suit) for £50 including an under suit. The suit seems to be in pretty good condition, it has one large patch where it looks like a valve used to be fitted and a couple of small patches but other wise looks fine. Seems to fit OK, thought Im not exactly sure how it should fit but its not exessivly baggy and doesnt restrict movement to any great degree.

I am new to drysuit diving and will be doing a course shortly before venturing out to the open water in a drysuit with dive buddies. Until now I have only dived in warmer climates or in the UK mid summer on wearing a couple of wet suits so dont really know alot about drysuits/drysuit diving.

Thanks

I've got one. I like them, very comfortable and if cared for will last a very long time. Punctures are easily repaired in minutes, with a conventional inner tube repair kit.

http://gallery.bsacforum.co.uk/showphoto.php?photo=414&limit=recent

If it fits and is in good nick, I doubt that you will be sorry if you buy it.

regards

Tony

[MarkM]

I recently sold my too some guy in Germany on ebay for £172 with a knackered neck seal and in an unknown condition. Apparently all the fetish people over there like them.

Buy it, sell it, then buy a suit you might like.

[Ding]

My advice would be if you are not sure about diving rent a suit and if you get the bug it depends on your age as tight neoprene is ideal. but membrane takes care or your changing lifestyle. ;)

[PeteM]

My advice would be if you are not sure about diving rent a suit and if you get the bug it depends on your age as tight neoprene is ideal. but membrane takes care or your changing lifestyle. ;)

I on the other hand would say for 50 quid you will not go far wrong and that a tight neoprene is far from ideal as it prevents you doing shut downs

[Tony Dwyer]

I on the other hand would say for 50 quid you will not go far wrong and that a tight neoprene is far from ideal as it prevents you doing shut downs

I agree with Pete! :)

In addition to the Avon, I've got two slightly (?) compressed neoprene drysuits (my avatar shows me wearing one). They are not 'tight' but fit correctly, allowing me a full range of movement. Well as much as I am capable of these days. :(

If the suit is is in good nick, it will be well worth £50. I dived in a rubber suit for many years before moving to the compressed neoprene jobbies.

If you buy the suit and find that you don't like it, you should get your money back on resale. Money paid out for hired suits is gone forever!

[nistevie]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Ive had the suit out in the water and no leaks so done the deal n its now all mine.

[davidgrossman]

Avon Dry suits are the best out there for several reasons, if you can find one and it fits, then buy it. They are no longer made, which is a shame as they were the only drysuits that were made with time and with detail in mind. Everything else out there is "harder" on the body. Because of the textile weave inside the Avon it makes movement much easier and smooth with no resistance. I am 1 of several out there with a dry suit, but those with an AVON are usually pretty dedicated to them.

Someone once told me something worth a thinking about: "It is hard to find Avon drysuits online (i.e. ebay), not because they are not made, but because few people want to part with them. Try searching for any other brand and you will find an abundance of them."

If you are really interested in an Avon - FOR DIVING- not for fettish, then get one. If you cannot find one, then email me. I run across them here and there.

[ozeeguy]

QUOTE
If you are really interested in an Avon - FOR DIVING- not for fettish, then get one. If you cannot find one, then email me. I run across them here and there.[/QUOTE]

I am looking for an AVON rubber drysuit size 2 or 3 in good condition. I live in Australia and will pay postage (I know they are heavy!). Please let me know if you find any in those sizes.
I am 6ft (183cm) tall and 42inch chest and 36inch waist. Size 4 is too big!
Thanks, Hope to hear from you some time.