buying a drysuit

[DGSPEAR]

After diving this past Nov/Dec in a wetsuit I've decided I want to go dry next year. I have been looking at DUI, USIA and Viking primarily, but was interested in getting some outside input. What do you recommend and why? What has worked well for you? Thanks for the help.

derek

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

Of those I've only dived DUI. Great dry suits. The others are probably good as well.

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by DGSPEAR

After diving this past Nov/Dec in a wetsuit I've decided I want to go dry next year. I have been looking at DUI, USIA and Viking primarily, but was interested in getting some outside input. What do you recommend and why? What has worked well for you? Thanks for the help.

derek

I dive a BARE XCD2 Tech Dry. I bought it because the price was right, and I could get it fully custom. DUI is nice, but expensive. I have been very happy with my suit, and would definitely recommend it. My dad now has a BARE suit as well, but he has the Trilam HD Tech Dry, very rugged material, but it doesn't have the slight built in warmth of the hypercompressed neoprene.

I'd look at BARE if you want to save some $$, they are great suits.

And get at least 2 bellows pockets, one on each side, they are always in use on my suit.

[DGSPEAR]

what's the general feel for trilam vs neoprene? i understand the neoprene has more inheirent warmth, but you can change what you wear under neath the trilam for temperature control...is there anything big i am missing?

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by DGSPEAR

what's the general feel for trilam vs neoprene? i understand the neoprene has more inheirent warmth, but you can change what you wear under neath the trilam for temperature control...is there anything big i am missing?

Hypercompressed neoprene can be more durable, it is definitely more flexible, and dries more quickly. Uncompressed neoprene is not very durable, the same as wet suit. Membrane suits are cheaper but are not as durable.

[SkuaSeptember]

Personally, I've got a DUI CLX450. This is my second Tri-lam suit and I upgraded to it specifically for the zip seals at the neck and wrist and for the ability to quickly switch from seals at the wrist to dry gloves. Within my group someone - usually me - always has an interchangeable replacement available if a seal goes. This has saved more than a few dives.
My best recommendation is that if a shop wants you to spend a thou or more on a drysuit, they should be happy to take you out and let you try one. Try a few and see what you like best.

[cummings66]

The only DUI suit worth owning is the CLX450, pretty expensive though.

I'd add Bare to the list of consideration. If you refer to my poll you'll see that the top two brands are Bare #1 and DUI #2. I prefer Viking myself. It's sadly at the bottom in the polls of ownership.

[DGSPEAR]

Why do you prefer the Viking suits?

[medic001918]

I dive a Bare XCD2 Pro and my wife has a Bare HD Trilam suit. Both suits have worked well for us. I think mine was one of my best investments ever with regard to my equipment for diving. There are many good manufacturers out there to pick from.

Shane

[in_cavediver]

I have a Whites and a Dive Rite. I was on the fence between the Dive Rite, a CLX-450 and a CF200. I really like the CLX suit and the CF 200 (durable) but I got a MUCH better deal on a used demo Dive Rite ($600) so I just couldn't turn it down.