Best drysuit for someone who doesn't like things around neck

[mtnplayva]

I'm thinking of moving to a drysuit at some point. I currently dive a Mares Arctic 7mm at our quarry. I've been in temps to 44 degrees and didn't get too cold but the dives were always short (<30 minutes). My air consumption is really good and my husbands is getting better so I can see our dive length increasing as his consumption gets even better.
The problem? I hate things around my neck. Turtleneck shirts always make me feel like I am choking. My wetsuit also bothers me and I don't even tighten the velcro at the back of the neck. I haven't tried a drysuit yet so it might not be a problem but right now I think it will be.
Is there a brand that is less constrictive? Best material for the neck seal for people that don't like things on their neck? Any suggestions to help me get over this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[CompuDude]

Best option for you is probably a wetsuit. Any drysuit is going to be snug around your neck... it has to be to keep out the water.

Neoprene seals are supposedly more comfortable than latex seals (according to their proponents), but I've never found them to be so, and find them more prone to leaks. But YMMV.

[Rogue]

I'm with CompuDude that a wetsuit would be your best bet if you don't like a snug fit around your neck. I'm not familiar with the Mares Arctic, but you may want to look at a semi-dry. The hoods are typically attached and the inner skirt is cut more like a t-shirt.

[mtnplayva]

Originally Posted by Rogue

I'm not familiar with the Mares Arctic, but you may want to look at a semi-dry. The hoods are typically attached and the inner skirt is cut more like a t-shirt.

That might work - I haven't looked closely at any type of drysuit because I assumed I wouldn't like it but I'm finding that as I get more into diving I am going to have to get something that will allow me to stay under in cold water for longer periods. What are the major differences between a drysuit and a semi-dry?

Thanks,
Julie

[Flatliner]

My son dives a Mares Isotherm. I would have to say that if you can't get over the neck issue, dry and semidry suits are not for you. Sorry.

[DivingCRNA]

Seals have to be right enough to keep out water. That is all there is to it. For some reason, lots of females hate things near their neck. To dive dry and actually be dry, you need a seal that is tight enough.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by mtnplayva

That might work - I haven't looked closely at any type of drysuit because I assumed I wouldn't like it but I'm finding that as I get more into diving I am going to have to get something that will allow me to stay under in cold water for longer periods. What are the major differences between a drysuit and a semi-dry?

Thanks,
Julie

A "semi-dry" suit is a wetsuit. It's a wetsuit that has some drysuit-like seals. Unfortunately, if you don't like them in a drysuit you're not likely to like them in a wetsuit, "semi-"dry or not.

[Tassie Diver]

You could try a 1ATA suit? See Dr Nuyt...

Sorry, just joking.

[Rogue]

The Aqualung SolAfx has an attached hood so the primary seal is around the face and not the neck. The inner skirt if I'm not mistaken is similar to a collar on a t-shirt.

[snagel]

I am very paranoid about things around my neck. I have many t-shirts with the collars cut out them because I can't even stand a tight collar on a t-shirt. My first drysuit had neoprene seals and really it wasn't an issue. I had already figured if I wanted to dive dry I better get use to it. The neoprene seals were fairly comfortable for having to have something on my neck. My 2nd drysuit has latex seals. This was a challenge. This was 100% worse than the neoprene seals. But, I sucked it up and over a few dives I don't notice it anymore.

Snagel