My current suit is a compressed 1.1/1.8mm neoprene with front entry, courtesy of OThree Custom Drysuits. It's a great fit, very light and even though you need the same undersuit insulation as a tri-lam it's still ultra flexible. I love it! I have neoprene seals and in 6 years and 200 dives I have never had a neck or wrist seal tear.
1:33 in. There is "rolled" neoprene. These neoprene drysuits are indeed made of the same type of neoprene as wetsuits. They compress when you go deeper, and as such, get thinner and lose buoyancy characteristics. These suits do NOT retain heat the same as the other type of neoprene drysuits, "Crushed" or also called "Compressed" neoprene. Crushed neoprene drysuits are permanently compressed by a molding process, and as such, do not compress any further despite depth. These suits typically start off life as 7mm and some manufacturers even use 14mm thick neoprene, and are heat molded and weight-compressed down to 3mm and 5mm thick. Due to this, they are VERY warm, but also need a LOT more weight to get underwater. However, you will NOT lose heat in them, and your buoyancy will stay the same throughout the dive.
1:44 in. Wrong. You get "wet" in a wetsuit due to "flushing". Water enters through the neck, wrists, ankles, and zipper, and "flushes" into and out of the suit. This is why you get wet in a wetsuit. Where the suit is sewn together makes very little difference in water penetrating the suit as these are not the primary entry points.
1:56 in. Neoprene suits are generally glued along the sidewalls of the neoprene, which are then pressed together to make a butted-connection. Then they might be sewn, or might not be, depending on the manufacturer. And finally, many manufacturers additionally seal the seams on the inside of the suit, and add "seam tape" for added protection.
3:12 in. "Bilaminate" suits are cheaper suits made of two layers. The outer layer is typically a nylon type of material of various grades (from 400D cordura to 1000D cordura), and the delicate inner layer, which is called the "Butyl Membrane". It is this membrane that is the single material that makes the suit waterproof. The two layers are laminated together to make the suit. Bilaminate suits are NOT popular due to the two layer construction often being easily damaged. Simply put, they don't last as long. Instead, Trilaminate suits, which have an additional protective layer on the inside, placing the membrane in the middle between the layers, are far better, much tougher, last longer, and as such, much more popular.
4:08 in. Any neoprene suit can also be equipped with interchangeable seal ring systems. I literally install them all the time for people. These are not exclusively for shell type suits.
4:47 in. Trilaminate suit material thickness is 100% dependent on the manufacturer. Many Trilaminate suits are thicker than bilaminate suits. Just depends on who makes it.
This is very true Pinnacle Diving Company PDC. Different manufacturers will use different material. Currently, we are dealers for several brands. One specific brand has over 19 different models, excluding their custom models. The choices here are amazing. Divers can mix and match material as well, to get the custom suit that works for them.
Hello Ben Heckendorn, glad you liked the video. Episode 4 was released this morning. We have 3 more coming out before the series will be closed out. Hopefully, you will find them educational.
Ive got a top of the line trilaminate and a compressed neoprene drysuit. I think the neoprene is far superior to the trilaminate. There is always a small leak somewhere in the trilaminate no matter how often Ive had it serviced and the seals and zipper replaced. I have to wear multiple under layers including a heated vest with the trilaminate. The neoprene is warm and cozy and I wear minimum undergarments and can use 2 kilos less weight with the neoprene. The neoprene also allows for better trim in the water as there is no air trapped somewhere compared to the trilaminate. I really like the neoprene and its half the price of the trilaminate
Hello Sarah a, I too much prefer the Neoprene Drysuit, for all the same reasons. The only hiccup I have had is when I lose weight, which is typically in the winter time, my neck shrinks and the suit leaks around the neck seal. Thankfully though, its never enough to ruin my dive. The neoprene keeps me nice and warm.
Meh. Im in a d7x ... I've been in 40 degree Fahrenheit water on the down damn side at beaver lake. I've never been wet and I only ever been cold when I skimped on undergarments. I love my d7x.
They can have an upfront expense RUclips user. I've owned my fair share of them. The 3 I currently have now adds up to about $7000. Thankfully, using them for work, I have earned my investment back several times over.
True, and make that 10 times for a custom suit. But it does mean you can go diving in comfort when a wet suit would rapidly leave you with hypothermia.
Hello Joseph dracula. The key to diving a drysuit is to find the one that works for you (based on fit and functionality) for the dive you will be using it for. As you can see in this video, I wear several different models for different types of dives.
My current suit is a compressed 1.1/1.8mm neoprene with front entry, courtesy of OThree Custom Drysuits. It's a great fit, very light and even though you need the same undersuit insulation as a tri-lam it's still ultra flexible. I love it! I have neoprene seals and in 6 years and 200 dives I have never had a neck or wrist seal tear.
That sounds like an outstanding suit!
Hello Tim Gosling. OThree makes great suits. Enjoy.
1:33 in. There is "rolled" neoprene. These neoprene drysuits are indeed made of the same type of neoprene as wetsuits. They compress when you go deeper, and as such, get thinner and lose buoyancy characteristics. These suits do NOT retain heat the same as the other type of neoprene drysuits, "Crushed" or also called "Compressed" neoprene. Crushed neoprene drysuits are permanently compressed by a molding process, and as such, do not compress any further despite depth. These suits typically start off life as 7mm and some manufacturers even use 14mm thick neoprene, and are heat molded and weight-compressed down to 3mm and 5mm thick. Due to this, they are VERY warm, but also need a LOT more weight to get underwater. However, you will NOT lose heat in them, and your buoyancy will stay the same throughout the dive.
1:44 in. Wrong. You get "wet" in a wetsuit due to "flushing". Water enters through the neck, wrists, ankles, and zipper, and "flushes" into and out of the suit. This is why you get wet in a wetsuit. Where the suit is sewn together makes very little difference in water penetrating the suit as these are not the primary entry points.
1:56 in. Neoprene suits are generally glued along the sidewalls of the neoprene, which are then pressed together to make a butted-connection. Then they might be sewn, or might not be, depending on the manufacturer. And finally, many manufacturers additionally seal the seams on the inside of the suit, and add "seam tape" for added protection.
3:12 in. "Bilaminate" suits are cheaper suits made of two layers. The outer layer is typically a nylon type of material of various grades (from 400D cordura to 1000D cordura), and the delicate inner layer, which is called the "Butyl Membrane". It is this membrane that is the single material that makes the suit waterproof. The two layers are laminated together to make the suit. Bilaminate suits are NOT popular due to the two layer construction often being easily damaged. Simply put, they don't last as long. Instead, Trilaminate suits, which have an additional protective layer on the inside, placing the membrane in the middle between the layers, are far better, much tougher, last longer, and as such, much more popular.
And no... Neoprene is much stiffer and less flexible than trilaminate suits are.
4:08 in. Any neoprene suit can also be equipped with interchangeable seal ring systems. I literally install them all the time for people. These are not exclusively for shell type suits.
At rough $3K for a good built to measurement and options drysuit, research is a must. Great video highlighting basic material options.
Glad you liked the video Scott denzer.
4:47 in. Trilaminate suit material thickness is 100% dependent on the manufacturer. Many Trilaminate suits are thicker than bilaminate suits. Just depends on who makes it.
This is very true Pinnacle Diving Company PDC. Different manufacturers will use different material. Currently, we are dealers for several brands. One specific brand has over 19 different models, excluding their custom models. The choices here are amazing. Divers can mix and match material as well, to get the custom suit that works for them.
Great video. I‘m looking forward to see more of them. 👌
Hello Ben Heckendorn, glad you liked the video. Episode 4 was released this morning. We have 3 more coming out before the series will be closed out. Hopefully, you will find them educational.
For the hybrid topic, if that was the fusion dry suit the outer is spandex like and not neoprene.
Hello Lee Miller. AquaLung calls it there Super Stretch Neoprene out shell. us.aqualung.com/en/divewear/drysuits/fusion-bullet-drysuit-DR11101111.html
I have an scubaforce xpedition se arriving soon.
Let us know if you like it David B. We have been very pleased with Scuba Force for several years now.
Ive got a top of the line trilaminate and a compressed neoprene drysuit. I think the neoprene is far superior to the trilaminate. There is always a small leak somewhere in the trilaminate no matter how often Ive had it serviced and the seals and zipper replaced. I have to wear multiple under layers including a heated vest with the trilaminate. The neoprene is warm and cozy and I wear minimum undergarments and can use 2 kilos less weight with the neoprene. The neoprene also allows for better trim in the water as there is no air trapped somewhere compared to the trilaminate. I really like the neoprene and its half the price of the trilaminate
Hello Sarah a, I too much prefer the Neoprene Drysuit, for all the same reasons. The only hiccup I have had is when I lose weight, which is typically in the winter time, my neck shrinks and the suit leaks around the neck seal. Thankfully though, its never enough to ruin my dive. The neoprene keeps me nice and warm.
Thank you !!
You are very welcome Searching 4.
Meh. Im in a d7x ... I've been in 40 degree Fahrenheit water on the down damn side at beaver lake. I've never been wet and I only ever been cold when I skimped on undergarments. I love my d7x.
Hello Kevin Gumfory, Waterproof does make an awesome Drysuit. Thanks for sharing with us.
The only drawback for drysuits, is the price. Anywhere from twice to six times the price of a wetsuit.
They can have an upfront expense RUclips user. I've owned my fair share of them. The 3 I currently have now adds up to about $7000. Thankfully, using them for work, I have earned my investment back several times over.
True, and make that 10 times for a custom suit. But it does mean you can go diving in comfort when a wet suit would rapidly leave you with hypothermia.
😎👍🤿never dove with a drysuit but I found this very interesting Thanks!
Hello Joseph dracula. The key to diving a drysuit is to find the one that works for you (based on fit and functionality) for the dive you will be using it for. As you can see in this video, I wear several different models for different types of dives.