Need a new drysuit recomendations

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Nwbrewer
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Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Nwbrewer »

My old Diving Concepts Neo Z has finally reached the end. Every dive I'm patching a new set of pinholes, mostly next to the seems.

So what's everybody loving these days in a mid range suit? (DUI is nice, but a bit more than what I plan on spending)

I've only ever had the neoprene suit and I'm thinking about switching to a shell any thoughts one way or the other?

Thanks!
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
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Jeff Pack
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Jeff Pack »

I still like my whites/aqualung, the santis are very popular.
=============================================

- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it

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CaptnJack
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by CaptnJack »

deep six has a custom shell they are selling for like 1700. they look nice, not sure who is actually building them though

have not heard anything good about santi's in a long time despite their cult following. failed fabric, failed seams, crazy long repair times ugh
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DavidR
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by DavidR »

If you want to continue with back zip neoprene, I love my Apollo.
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YellowEye
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by YellowEye »

CaptnJack wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 12:34 pm have not heard anything good about santi's in a long time despite their cult following. failed fabric, failed seams, crazy long repair times ugh
I've got a Santi. Now that 8 does repairs, the turn around time is great. The last repair I had took less than a week!

This is a super comfortable suit, I've never had a better fitting suit, and I had no idea how much a suit fit made until I dove this suit. Way less effort to carry my camera ahead of me and fire off shots.

The suits are definitely not as warm as Bare suits though. I don't think I could possibly dive it without my Weezle Extreme+.

And the default boots are a definite no-go for beach diving. Luckily you can upgrade to built in thicker boots for free.

For me, the main things that made me go Santi are the removable silicone seal with a bigger neck entrace that DUI. And the front zip and availability in my height. It's a pricey suit though!

Go figure, last I had a Bare, I gave up on them based on seams issues and crazy long repair times! Perhaps they're better now, I hope!
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Norris
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Norris »

Image

Ive been using this, been pretty solid
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Nwbrewer
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Nwbrewer »

I'm not sure how to take this review. How often do you have it in for repair? And what repairs? pinholes? Wearing through in spots? Seems coming undone?

I know drysuits leak, and I know how to repair them (with a 14 year old neo suit I'm getting REALLY good at it), but that suit didn't experience much more that some seal issues for about the first 8 years I had it. I had one big leak in the crotch where the material is highly strained during kicking, but that was it. at like 300 dives I replaced the zipper.

I guess for me a positive is "Doesn't have structural issues" vs "local and quick repairs"

Jake
YellowEye wrote: Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:57 pm
CaptnJack wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 12:34 pm have not heard anything good about santi's in a long time despite their cult following. failed fabric, failed seams, crazy long repair times ugh
I've got a Santi. Now that 8 does repairs, the turn around time is great. The last repair I had took less than a week!

This is a super comfortable suit, I've never had a better fitting suit, and I had no idea how much a suit fit made until I dove this suit. Way less effort to carry my camera ahead of me and fire off shots.

The suits are definitely not as warm as Bare suits though. I don't think I could possibly dive it without my Weezle Extreme+.

And the default boots are a definite no-go for beach diving. Luckily you can upgrade to built in thicker boots for free.

For me, the main things that made me go Santi are the removable silicone seal with a bigger neck entrace that DUI. And the front zip and availability in my height. It's a pricey suit though!

Go figure, last I had a Bare, I gave up on them based on seams issues and crazy long repair times! Perhaps they're better now, I hope!
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
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YellowEye
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by YellowEye »

Nwbrewer wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2020 7:31 am I'm not sure how to take this review. How often do you have it in for repair? And what repairs? pinholes? Wearing through in spots? Seems coming undone?

I know drysuits leak, and I know how to repair them (with a 14 year old neo suit I'm getting REALLY good at it), but that suit didn't experience much more that some seal issues for about the first 8 years I had it. I had one big leak in the crotch where the material is highly strained during kicking, but that was it. at like 300 dives I replaced the zipper.

I guess for me a positive is "Doesn't have structural issues" vs "local and quick repairs"

Jake
Hi
In my case I had barnacle tears from diving deception pass :eek: . The zipper is now starting to go but these are standard zippers and lifetime. So thus far I think the build has been acceptable.
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Nwbrewer
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Nwbrewer »

Ah hah! user error! Been there a few times.
YellowEye wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2020 7:43 am
Nwbrewer wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2020 7:31 am I'm not sure how to take this review. How often do you have it in for repair? And what repairs? pinholes? Wearing through in spots? Seems coming undone?

I know drysuits leak, and I know how to repair them (with a 14 year old neo suit I'm getting REALLY good at it), but that suit didn't experience much more that some seal issues for about the first 8 years I had it. I had one big leak in the crotch where the material is highly strained during kicking, but that was it. at like 300 dives I replaced the zipper.

I guess for me a positive is "Doesn't have structural issues" vs "local and quick repairs"

Jake
Hi
In my case I had barnacle tears from diving deception pass :eek: . The zipper is now starting to go but these are standard zippers and lifetime. So thus far I think the build has been acceptable.
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
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wlkerboh
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by wlkerboh »

I am also in the market for a new drysuit. Does anyone have experience with ordering or diving a Seaskin Nova?
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by H20doctor »

I've had my Bare drysuit now for 6 years it's been a great suit , I've had to do a neck seal, and change out the boots .. but the tri lam fabric is very tough and durable .. I was very skeptical from going from a neoprene suit To a fabric tri lam... I didn't have much Faith because I thought for sure the material was going to tear or get holes... But that's not the case because this fabric is very tough and durable... I did have zipper issue but I got it fixed and replaced by the manufacturer T zip
My suit cost $1400.. I was measured and sized and the suit is built by bare to fit my body
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Nwbrewer »

Resurrecting my old post since I never picked up a new suit. These guys came well recommended tonight, anybody ha e one of their suits?

http://www.diveudev.com/tailored-drysuits/
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
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YellowEye
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by YellowEye »

I haven't heard of those. In the meantime, I can't say my Santi has held up too well, doesn't feel like it was worth the dough dropped
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Jeff Pack
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Jeff Pack »

My Dive buddy was a bit less than thrilled with his after a time either. I'v been hearing that a lot lately on the Santis
=============================================

- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it

CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
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BillZ
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by BillZ »

Jake - Like you I dove a Neo-Z for 10 years. I've actually had three of them- as friends were getting out of diving I picked up theirs. Five years ago, on a key man/black Friday deal at 5th D, I bought a Santi Emotion....
I have a love-hate with my Santi Emotion. I love the fit, design, boots and how light it is for travel. I hate that material is super thin and I'm patching it all of the time. When it doesn't leak it's an awesome suit. In retrospect I should have went with one of their heavier materials- I'm typically in my drysuit hauling tanks, prepping the boat etc. which is where most of the leaks come from.

My next drysuit will be a Black Pearl. I met the owner, Danny Schelvis, last year on an Egypt trip- He's both a GUE and UTD instructor and really knows how to build a suit that accommodates DIR standards. I had plans for me to meet him in Spain to dive and build a custom suit but COVID got in the way.

FYI - I have one Neo-Z left, stock size XL - It has a bad zipper and needs seals but the seams and material are in great shape. You can have it at the amazing price of a 6 pack of microbrew and a tow-in on your favorite mountain bike trail.
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by jerome.oneil »

What issues are showing up with Santis? They look like Cadillacs on the rack. I'm pondering one. Should I ponder others?
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Nwbrewer
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Nwbrewer »

I opted to go with the Bare TECHDRY and it's on the way now! Switching from crushed neo to trilam has left me at an insulation deficit. What's your favorite undergarment? I prefer a 2 piece. I checked out the Hollis Undergarments, and while I like the look and construction, their sizing seems to be a ways off. In must things I'm between xl and xxl, I tried on the xxxl and couldn't move my arms anymore!

Thanks everybody, looking forward to warm dry dives soon!
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Scubie Doo »

Nwbrewer wrote:I opted to go with the Bare TECHDRY and it's on the way now! Switching from crushed neo to trilam has left me at an insulation deficit. What's your favorite undergarment? I prefer a 2 piece. I checked out the Hollis Undergarments, and while I like the look and construction, their sizing seems to be a ways off. In must things I'm between xl and xxl, I tried on the xxxl and couldn't move my arms anymore!

Thanks everybody, looking forward to warm dry dives soon!
I like the two piece 4th Element garments. Great fit.


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Nwbrewer
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by Nwbrewer »

I have the thinner 4th elem now and love it. Who's the local 4th element dealer? (I bought mine from NWSD if that tells you how long ago I got it)
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
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Re: Need a new drysuit recomendations

Post by orcasc205 »

8 Diving in Des Moines stocks Fourth Element now.
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