Difference between semi dry wetsuits and wetsuits

[oddbod]

Originally Posted by Mtrewyn

I thought a wet suit had some water movement in the suit, semi-dry has little or none, but you still get wet?

I could be wrong thoe....

That is the theory, a semi dry should stop the movement and allow what water that gets in to warm a little slowing the heat transfer (loss). A really tight wetsuit has the same effect.

[mjcoyne]

My girlfriend and I both have semi-dry suits and we dive in New England - the only time we have ever been cold was when we did repetive dives in water that was in the low to mid 40's. For us the option made sense since we spent about as much on the semi-dry suits as we would have if we bought a wet suit so that added warmth and reduced water flow through is well worth it.

I would of course love to have a dry suit but I don't really want to break the bank just yet....that will have to wait at least a year or two

[matt151617]

Plus wet suits don't last all that long... a semi-dry is the same material basically, so it'll wear out. A dry suit is essentially a life-long purchase. And semi-drys aren't a whole lot cheaper than a dry when you look at the long scene.

[mselizann]

Originally Posted by matt151617

Plus wet suits don't last all that long... a semi-dry is the same material basically, so it'll wear out. A dry suit is essentially a life-long purchase. And semi-drys aren't a whole lot cheaper than a dry when you look at the long scene.

I guess that depends - I got a "last year's model" dirt cheap (under $300)

[cmburch]

I got my Xcel Polar SCS Tri-density 9/7/6 for $350 and my buddy got his Quad-density 8/7/6/5 for $275.

[mjcoyne]

Same here - I got a Mares semi-dry for 299 - its a great suit until I am ready to purchase a dry suit down the road in a couple of years.

[fishballer]

great. NOW you guys tell me that I shouldn't pee in my semi-dry.

whoops.

[crpntr133]

Some semi's also have a dry suit zipper. My Mares Millennium does, which I am selling since I have gone dry.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by cmburch

I got my Xcel Polar SCS Tri-density 9/7/6 for $350 and my buddy got his Quad-density 8/7/6/5 for $275.

Online or LDS? Those are decent prices and far too few shops carry Xcel...

[character157]

I dove with a couple of guys a few weeks back-both had Tilo 7/5 semi dry and neither had trouble past 50 feet where the temp was around 50. If the suit fits well it will work correctly. My dive buddy likes to get into the water and let the water in before he dives...not sure why but if he pulls his wrist seal after he gets out of the lake the water falls out-if not it stays put.