Semi-dry suits

[TAH 73]

Looking for anyone who has had any experience diving in any of the semi-dry suits. Fiancee is always cold, should go dry, but the cost involved (would probably need a custom suit due to being 5'3) is a derement due to the fact that she is also buying a full gear setup as well. Wondering if there is a huge increase in warmth over a quality 7mm suit that would offset the issues that come with a semidry (dealing with extra seals, extra care, didderent zippers etc..)
I am usually fine with my 7mil, with the addition of a torso heater at times, but she freezes.

Most of our diving is in reasonably cold water 50's-60's ideal drysuit area but cost is an issue at this point.

[thesmoothdome]

I'd recommend looking for a good deal on a used dry suit. The "problem" with a semi-dry suit is that while they minimize the water flow through the use of wrist and ankle "seals" you still face the compression of the neoprene as you decend and that lowers the insulation factors significantly.

[TAH 73]

The only issue with finding a used dry suit is finding one that fits someone that isn't even 5'3, with size 4 feet.
Getting a used drysuit, and then dealing with the inevitable alterations to get it to fit, plus the cost of replacing her boots, and possibly fins etc to deal with the drysuit makes it cost prohibitive.
At this point it's either semi-dry or wet.

[thesmoothdome]

You'd be surprised what you can find if your patient. I just looked at DUI's closeout page, and even though they're not cheap, there were 2 Xsmalls and a bunch of Smalls they're trying to blow out. If they've made them, there are others out there and if there are others out there, someone's selling one.

I understand what you're saying and totally respect it. I'm just recommending keeping your eyes open for the perfect suit until you buy. Then, like buying a computer, never ever look again because you'll always find one cheaper and better the next day . Good luck with your search.

[somewhereinla]

My winter suit is a Mares Isotherm semi dry. A great suit. My torso never get wet and I am never cold.

[CompuDude]

Semi dry is like saying Semi wet. I'm not a fan.

Can't pee in them, either... that may or may not be an issue for her.

They will be warmer, but I'll second the advice to get a good core warmer for a 7mm and keep a sharp eye out for a used drysuit. A frequent dive buddy of mine is 5'4", 110#, and she just found the perfect used suit after looking for quite a while. (Note that depending on body shape, her suit would work just fine for a 5'3" woman, also.)

They're out there. You just have to keep an eye out and be patient. Hit Craigslist, eBay, ScubaBoard, DecoStop, and of course this forum. Every day. You'll find one.

[wxboy911]

I dive a Tilos 7/5 semi-dry and it keeps me pretty warm in the low 50's...Things to remember-if it does not fit perfectly water is more likely to get in, Semi Dry is Semi Wet in some cases, and you cant pee in it. When I dive with my buddy he wears a two piece and it takes more weight to sink him so his rig is heavier than mine(that kind of burns him becuase he has a lot less body fat than me).The only thing I don't like is the zipper is in the back and sometimes I need my buddy to zip it up when I get it stuck-Not a big deal but nice and warm.

[thesmoothdome]

You can pee in anything in a pinch even a

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by thesmoothdome

You can pee in anything in a pinch even a

That's true, you can even go in a drysuit, not that I'd recommend it without the proper hardware. LOL

There are ways to flush out (pardon the expression) a semi-dry, but they'll leave you pretty cold. Just invert, and purge your reg through the held-open neck seal, and the COLD water will flush out your suit quite nicely.

No thanks...

[Prouty33]

I got a cheapo 7MM(I think I paid 120?)semi-dry on ebay, its front entry with a neck seal and integrated hood. I dove it a few weeks ago in 62F...by the end of the dive I had more sweat in my suit than water. I'm thinking it'll be fine down to 50F.