Dry-Suit

Quickflash · 18 August 2009, 09:36

Hi,

I would appreciate some advice on dry-suits. I am planning a few cross-channel trips and do not have a dry suit. What are good manufacturers & types , where could I buy it at a reasonable price and what do you wear underneath the dry-suit ?

I hear that Musto & HH are good, but also pretty pricy.

Thanks

Leapy · 18 August 2009, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickflash

Hi,

I would appreciate some advice on dry-suits. I am planning a few cross-channel trips and do not have a dry suit. What are good manufacturers & types , where could I buy it at a reasonable price and what do you wear underneath the dry-suit ?

I hear that Musto & HH are good, but also pretty pricy.

Thanks

We bought Crewsaver from WetSuitOutlet...good suits and good service. It took a couple of attempts to find the right sizes.

You'll get all sorts of advice on front and rear zips...best bet is try on both and make your own mind up. There are pros and cons for both.

Underneath, weather dependant, it's either summer casuals if it's mild - shorts and tee shirt - or 'wooly bear' fleece when it's cold

paul holder · 18 August 2009, 12:40

go on to the webb & insert diver mag there are dozens of manufactures . but some well known ones are northan diver, beaver,allso try www.beepbluedive.com they all sell undersuits
having been a diver for 30 years & with ribs for longer i would go for memdrain type dont forget to tell the supplyers you dont wont valves & therefor should be cheaper
you may prefer to have internal bracers
dont forget the talcumpowder & washing up liquid for seals

Dry_Doc · 18 August 2009, 13:43

We've bought a few Crewsaver suits too, no problems so far.
Light, breathable, neoprene collar/cuffs, front zip. IIRC they were about £175 each which included the 'wooly bear' undersuit. You'll need boots though as they only come with latex socks.
I'd echo leapy's comments about fit - I'm 6'2" and built like a racing snake and the medium suit fits me best. The XXL (which is recommended for over 6') is heeooouuuge on me. Best to try some on to find the right size for you.

Quickflash · 18 August 2009, 13:52

Thanks for the tips, I looked at the internet and saw that they offered drysuits with either latex or neoprene cuffs. What's the difference ?

SPR · 18 August 2009, 13:55

I bought a made to measure suit from http://www.hammond-drysuits.co.uk/

Very good, made to my specs and sizes and very good service. I had short lead time because i needed it quickly. They also do off the shelf products, unlike a few made to measures I believe all there suits are hand made in UK unlike a few other companies who bu in half completed suits then put legs and artms cuffs.

I also got a Bear Suit, made to measure too, am 6 foot 1 and 24 Stone, hence the custom made route!

S.

SPR · 18 August 2009, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickflash

Thanks for the tips, I looked at the internet and saw that they offered drysuits with either latex or neoprene cuffs. What's the difference ?

I went for neoprine neckseal and cuffs, alot more confortable than latex but usally more expensive.

Think down side is you really need them to fit! The latex you can usally cut with sharp knife to size.

S.

Andre · 18 August 2009, 14:08

have a look at

http://www.typhoon-int.co.uk/

I find the Typhoon WOSS a very good dry suit

Leapy · 18 August 2009, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickflash

Thanks for the tips, I looked at the internet and saw that they offered drysuits with either latex or neoprene cuffs. What's the difference ?

My experience is that latex is thin and very flexible but degrades with exposure to UV, although can buy 'sun cream for latex' from drysuit sellers. Latex can be easily trimmed with a pair of scissors to suit your own size, but equally, the socks can be relatively easily holed if you walk about on the rough stuff: so don't walk about on the rough stuff! They can be replaced.

Neoprene is more resilient and my sense is that it's replacing latex in the market.

Cue others now to talk about suits with integral boots. I have no experience of these.

If you go for seperate boots, again watch your sizes. I take a size 11 shoe but a size 14 Crewsaver boot

The consolation is that if the outboard fails I can flipper home

SPR · 18 August 2009, 15:13

Latex socks + Boots over them i was not success full withthem, maybe i should used trainers instead of cut down wellies.....

I got moulded boots on my suit and its so easy to slide in to and out....no talc or anything, use full if i just want waidders depth, slips on in seconds.

RNLI used moulded boots on ther ILB suits that happen to be typhoon.

My first dry suit was a Henry Llyod, with rubber socks and and seals.

Now waits on debate - Back seal or front seal.......i now got back seal with comfort zip on front! Easier to put on, but needs second person to pull shut....

S.

Rogue Wave · 18 August 2009, 15:32

Don't overlook products by Mullion and fladden. I use a fladden suit and it;s tough warm watrproof and has a seamans price tag as opposed to a yachties price tag

treerat · 18 August 2009, 22:30

I use a Polar Bear dry suit www.polarbears.co.uk

My boat suit has built in boots and latex seals. When the need replacing I'll be putting neo ones on as they are more comfertable when worn for long periods and not totally submerged.

Quickflash · 19 August 2009, 14:59

What about Musto or HH ? Are they worth the extra money ? What is so great about them that they ask double the price of "regular" dry-suits ?

Most of the dry-suits that I see are specifically for diving; which dry-suit is perfect for on a RIB?, where the whole idea is not to go diving but where you can get seriously wet.

Rogue Wave · 19 August 2009, 15:29

You get more respect fromyour peers when you where a musto or HH drysuit.

when working offshore we have to wear these. http://www.typhoon-int.co.uk/product...racer_ezeedon/

Any other work I wear this http://www.cheaplifejackets.co.uk/on...-pr-16165.html cos it's fabber

whatever you get make sure it'sgotta comfort zip or front opening

SPR · 19 August 2009, 20:04

If you got back zip on drysuit;

get somebody to open the back zip and pass a bottle down for you to pee in.......

S.

Leapy · 19 August 2009, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

If you got back zip on drysuit...

...have a couple of, er, 'dry' runs

It's not as difficult as some might have you believe. You just need to work out a process

My experience is that it's far, far easier than needing a pee in a traffic jam on the A30 in Cornwall last weekend. Eventually, a few girls just lost the will to hang on to their dignity. The blokes just stood there talking and laughing and peeing up the wheels of their cars