Couple of drysuit questions.

[TAH 73]

Just about ready to join the land of the drysuit divers and at the point where I have a couple of choices. I am looking at the Pinnacle Evolution line, the shop carries both Pinnacle and Bare, on a bit of a budget so DUI is out of the equation. First choice is the Bare Next Gen, package it up with the rock boots, and polartech. 2nd choice is one of the Pinnacle Evolution suits, a bit more expensive to buy but once you factor in the added bag, inflator, hose, and hood and the margin narrows.


Questions I have are in regards to front vs rear entry (benefits/drawbacks of each)
Neoprene socks w/rock boots or attached boots.

The Bare Next Gen gets good reviews for an introductory drysuit, but the Pinnacle Evolution packages out about $250 more and that includes a bag, hose, hood that the Bare suit doesn't have plus the suit has a pocket/knife patch, d-ring and the suit also has a flap that protects the zipper that the Bare suit is lacking also. Worth the upgrade?

[thesmoothdome]

The biggest positive to a shoulder entry suit is the lower cost. The obvious drawback is that you need someone to zip you in and you can't see or really feel how the zipper moves or if anything catches.

With a front zip, you do the zipping, so you can indeed make sure that your undergarments aren't caught in the zipper and that the zipper feels right when closing. You can also ensure that the zipper is all the way closed yourself, rather than trusting your buddy or someone else to zip you in. Even though my front zip is a "self-don" I can't start the zipper myself or open it all the way, so I have to ask for help.

In regards to rock boots vs. attatched boots, I've had both and didn't mind either. The rock boots give you something else to pack, to worry about, and put on, but they work well and are comfortable to wear. The attatched boots I had seemed to work fine as well. There was definately more room in there, but I don't remember ever feeling like I was flopping around in them.

[TAH 73]

Thanks Smoothdome. I never though about the seeing the zipper bit, but that make sense. The one drawback I have heard with the front zip, expecially the diagonals is they are more succeptable to damage due to folding etc, as they are a longer zip.
I like the idea of the rockboots, I have never dove in either but the drysuit boots just seem like big rubber boots stuck to the bottom of the suit as the rock boots seems to be a more trim setup, but if I go with the Pinnacle suit having neoprene/w rockboots I am starting to go towards a custom setup.

[thesmoothdome]

Good point about the diagonal zippers. You definately have to be careful with them. Regardless of which suit you decide on, be real careful with the zipper. It's the most expensive item to replace on the suit.

[Hollywood703]

I dive with a next gen....it is my first drysuit....I absolutely love my trek boots.....I wont buy anything else ever again. You just need to make sure they will fit your fins ok. I got my nex gen with trek boots, hood inflator and everything else needed including a light fleece undergarment and a quilted fleece cold water undergarment (ebay) for under $1000. I dont mind the back zipper...I always dive with someone when i drysuit dive....If i solo You can add a clip with some extra line to it, to zip it yourself.....for me the front zip wasnt worth the extra $$.

[ScaredSilly]

A dry suit hose will run $15-$20, DIY Pockets $20 each, a hood $40, etc. So not much value there. The zipper protector is were the value is at. Although I have 10 year old suit with out one.

I have dove both front and back zipper suits both are fine. Never had a problem with a buddy zipping me in - I had to do the same for him. I like the front zip cause I will often stick my glasses inside my suit so I do no thave to fumble around looking for them.

I have used hard soles on my suits. Mixed feelings about boots. For diving sometimes they are worth while but I also use my suit for canyoneering and other water activities and having boots would be nice in those cases.

[THT98]

I have a back zipper and it works fine. I'm always with a buddy anyways, and I'm just careful about who I let zip. Another dry suit diver is always a good idea, because they know how important it is to be careful with the zipper.

A good friend of mine dives with the Pinnacle suit, and she loves it. They seem to be a really high quality suit. I think the attached boots are nice too. It's just one less thing to worry about, and one less leaking point.

I'm sure you'll be happy with either choice.