If you were going to buy a new drysuit today...

[WASP7000]

Which one would it be and why? Neoprene or shell? I'm considering making my next purchase a new drysuit and can't really afford something in the $2000+ range, so keep that in mind, and I wear a size 13 shoe, so if it comes with size 10 attached boots, that doesn't help either.

[lizard0924]

I love my DUI FLX 50/50 (top shell, bottoms neoprene), which I picked up used for $900 (including undergarments, rock boots, split fins and carrying bags). I lucked into finding that particular deal on a local dive club's message board (not here). I also have a custom made Diving Concepts tri-lam shell suit, but it never kept me warm enough and there was just too much material to deal with for me and I hated the attached boots....far too little support in the soles. I much prefer neoprene to shell personally, and if I could find a full neoprene DUI for cheap, I'd totally pick one up.

[trevorrowe]

I would buy the same drysuit I own now, Bare Trilam Tech HD. You can pick up a new one locally for ~ $1700, and that will usually come with a $400 undergarment for free (bare runs that promotion very frequently). The suit is practically indestructible and if you purchase from a LDS you can customize the suit for no extra charge. You can use a neoprene sock or attached boot, latext or neoprene seals (I love their neoprene neck seal), custom sizing, etc. They come with sci-tech valves (another plus) and they have a service shop about 2 hours north of Seattle.

[Mattleycrue76]

What Trevor said. I've been very happy with my bare suit.

[WASP7000]

Sounds like a good deal. Do you happen to know a dive shop that is selling them for that price with the undergarment? I would like to try one out.

[H20doctor]

Neoprene ...Bare is good , so Is atlan .. Bassman has a new suit and he loves it

[trevorrowe]

Sounds like a good deal. Do you happen to know a dive shop that is selling them for that price with the undergarment? I would like to try one out.

Lighthouse and NWSD are both dealers for Bare. I'm sure there are others in the area, but those are two I am aware of (I'm a north-ender). You will want to speak with them about the promo. The promo is offered by Bare, but a Bare dealer should be aware of what promos are valid/current.

The bare trilam is getting pretty popular, if you do decide to go that route, I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

[Berritt]

Check out Tacoma scuba. They have awesome prices for Bare suits, and I called around and scoured the net.

I just bought a bare xcd2 crushed neoprene and I love it, BUT, it's all I know. The only dry suit I have ever (barely) used, so ignorance is bliss. I don't know if I might have liked trilam better since I have never used one, so my opinion is kind of silly. But I am very happy with my crushed neo. Very cozy.

[LCF]

I'd buy another Fusion, pretty much without hesitation, and especially if I had bigger feet. I love my Fusion, and it's been remarkably dry and trouble-free. With the Lycra skin and X-shorts, you save several hundred dollars over the more expensive skins, and get better pockets. You get a light suit that's easy to pack and dry, and a great, thick, warm undergarment. And the new suits are cut so you can actually get the undergarment INTO them.

[Geek]

+1 for Bare Drysuits, I have a xcd2 tech dry and it's my 2nd one, check out Tacoma Scuba, I think they are the closest shop that carries them to Olympia.... and if there not, there the bestest shop

[guitarmaker]

I'd buy another Fusion, pretty much without hesitation, and especially if I had bigger feet. I love my Fusion, and it's been remarkably dry and trouble-free. With the Lycra skin and X-shorts, you save several hundred dollars over the more expensive skins, and get better pockets. You get a light suit that's easy to pack and dry, and a great, thick, warm undergarment. And the new suits are cut so you can actually get the undergarment INTO them.

I just bought the Fusion from Salem scuba. They're having a sale tomorrow (Saturday) and have a killer deal on a package that includes suit, undergarment, hood, gloves, carry bag and offering a choice of boots for about 1800.
http://www.salemscuba.com/index.htm

[Highliner]

Underwater Sports Divers Fair July 30-Aug1. Lot's of manufacturers and hands on. Great deals too!
Underwater Sports- North Seattle on 205th and Aurora Ave N.

[no excuses]

I have had both and will stick with the shell suit, its lighter, dries faster if it gets wet inside, usuallly packs smaller, and you can vary the thermal protection with different levels undergarments. Plus its usually easier to suit up in a shell suit, just my .02cents

[raptor]

XCD 2 Tech

It is very nice it is warm rouged and fits well. The cost is also very good compared to the DUI. I am on my 3rd suit and this so far is my fav.

[Dashrynn]

its so hard to determine whats best for you, if i could afford a weezle undergarment i would go trilam or something like that.

But i get cold easy and that extra mm or 4 of neoprene makes me blood stay happy....and plus my setup only cost 455$

[oregondiver]

Berritt and I just spent hours at the Bare booth (and many hours combined at other drysuit vendor booths) at the Dive show in May.

She got the neoprene suit (she mentioned above) for warmth factors. I bought the Bare Trilam. I prefer Shell/Trilam (my old suit was trilam/shell) because it dries quickly, easy to travel with since it is light weight, packs down smaller (I can fly to cali/canada to dive)....but it is also what I am used to but also easy to get on/off.

Tacoma Scuba had waaayyy better prices than anyone else... Like Berritt said...we shopped around heavily since we were both looking at drysuits to purchase that day. Really impressed with the seams, zipper and valves.

We both ordered non-custom suits May 23rd. Her suit arrived within about 5 weeks after ordering. Mine took 6 weeks...and then had the wrong neck seal...and I am still waiting for my suit to arrive. So if you wanted a suit fast...they may not be the right company (but I don't know if any company is fast unless it is hanging in the shop right there).

I know Eugene Skin Divers was advertising $1499 for the Bare suit (back zip, add $$ for front zip) with free undergarment this past weekend. So I know Bare is having the undies sale. So check with Tacoma Scuba if you are local and see what they can offer you!
Shell

[pogiguy05]

I bought a used Whites shell suit off craigslist for $450 a couple years ago and it has served me very well. It is kinda long in the legs or I think more like my legs are short for the suit. I have had no issues with it and I like how well the shell suit seems to me as tough skinned. I have yet to have any leaks (knock on wood), I have only changed the seals 2 times.

Just my 2 cents

[Mattleycrue76]

FWIW my BARE suit - ordered from NWSD for an excellent price - got to me in about 10 days. They're located just across the border in BC so unless you're ordering custom stuff it should get here pretty quick.

[WASP7000]

I bought a used Whites shell suit off craigslist for $450 a couple years ago and it has served me very well. It is kinda long in the legs or I think more like my legs are short for the suit. I have had no issues with it and I like how well the shell suit seems to me as tough skinned. I have yet to have any leaks (knock on wood), I have only changed the seals 2 times.

Just my 2 cents

I did the exact same thing, used whites shell suit/undergarment/dry gloves, craigs list, $300. there is a very small leak in the foot now but aquaseal will cure that. However, the suit is a bit short for me. I have a hard time squatting down to put fins on.

[oregondiver]

FWIW my BARE suit - ordered from NWSD for an excellent price - got to me in about 10 days. They're located just across the border in BC so unless you're ordering custom stuff it should get here pretty quick.

I was told about 10 days because it was so close by ...which stretched to 3 weeks...but finally arrived after 6 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I love the suit (what little I saw of it before it was sent back to fix the gasket)....but we are now on another 10 days and it hasn't come back. So....2 months total?

[Aquanautchuck]

DUI CF200, the best and most comfortable suit I have ever owned.

[scottsax]

+1 on the CF200. Toasty warm and dry. Added DC dry glove rings to it, and it's even toastier and drier...

Only downside is that it's heavy with a capital H when wet, and thick-if I was going to dive dry in warmer water than here, I'd seriously need to think about investing in a shell suit.

[pnw_diver]

I would buy the same drysuit I own now, Bare Trilam Tech HD. You can pick up a new one locally for ~ $1700, and that will usually come with a $400 undergarment for free (bare runs that promotion very frequently). The suit is practically indestructible and if you purchase from a LDS you can customize the suit for no extra charge. You can use a neoprene sock or attached boot, latext or neoprene seals (I love their neoprene neck seal), custom sizing, etc. They come with sci-tech valves (another plus) and they have a service shop about 2 hours north of Seattle.

Re: custom sizing. My LDS told me that custom sizing is not free, and that the free undergarment promotion doesn't apply to custom sized suits. Is this not the case?

[oregondiver]

Re: custom sizing. My LDS told me that custom sizing is not free, and that the free undergarment promotion doesn't apply to custom sized suits. Is this not the case?

My LDS said I would have to pay about $100 or $150 (can't remember) to do custom sizing...but it would still meet the free undergarment (at that time...may 23rd) criteria...

[Penopolypants]

Re: custom sizing. My LDS told me that custom sizing is not free

It usually isn't free, unfortunately, it adds a few hundred dollars to the price.

and that the free undergarment promotion doesn't apply to custom sized suits. Is this not the case?

Dunno about that.

Bare makes really good suits, and by and large the people that I know that have them are really happy with them.

I have known two people who have gotten custom sizing with Bare and were rather unhappy with the results. Multiple trips back to adjust the sizing didn't seem to help.

If you can get a stock suit that fits I would recommend that regardless of brand.