dry suits

Below is a review of 10 different scuba diving dry suits.  For each, there is a list of useful information.  After the reviews is a chart comparing several important specifications.

For an earlier post with a description and comparison of the features of dry suits to consider when purchasing one, please click here:

• Best Scuba Drysuits – Features Described and Compared

Top 10 Scuba Drysuits of 2019

Bare X-Mission 

• Material: Nylon rip-top trilaminate
• Boots/socks: Boots (tech)
• Features: Elastic groin strap, neoprene collar/ neck seal with water drain, latex wrist seals, telescopic torso, internal braces, front TIZIP Master-Seal Zipper, knee pads, large thigh pockets with internal bungees and drainage holes
• Pros: Low weight
• Cons: A bit bulky and expensive

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Hollis DX 300X

• Material: Cordura ripstop trilaminate outer layer
• Boots/socks: 5 mm neoprene socks (will require rock boots)
• Features: Velcro pockets, double thick knee pads, Si-Tech quick-replacement silicone neck and wrist seals, telescopic torso, diagonal front entry, internal braces, and expandable pockets with internal D-ring, Velcro flaps, and drainage holes
• Pros: Easy to put on and take off, replaceable seals, lightweight
• Cons: Potentially restricted movement due to no stretch material, fragile seals

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Waterproof D9X Breathable

• Material: Cordura nylon quadlaminate
• Boots/socks: Extra light flex boots
• Features: Flexible dry zipper (TIZIP MasterSeal 10), adjustable integrated suspenders, reinforced knees, seam-free crotch for durability and comfort, reinforced seat, swiveling inlet valve and adjustable automatic outlet valve, telescopic torso, zip-off warm cuffs (put the glove underneath the cuff), latex seals
• Pros: ultralight yet durable
• Cons: slightly heavier than the earlier D9 version

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Hollis BTR-500

• Material: Butyl ripstop trilaminate outer layer,
• Boots/socks: 5 mm neoprene socks (will require rock boots)
• Features: Si-tech inflator and auto shoulder dump, composite front entry zip, latex neck and wrist seals, neoprene warm neck collar with adjustable velcro fastening, internal braces, two front mounted zippered pockets
• Pros: Durable, flexible, easy to put on and take off
• Cons: Hard to see a downside

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Fourth Element Argonaut Flex

• Material: Flex trilaminate, kevlar reinforced
• Boots/socks: Neoprene socks with available dry sock option
• Features:  Fabric resists tears, telescopic torso, Duratex panels reinforce shoulders, elbows, knees and every seam in the suit, 2 thigh pockets, TiZip Masterseal Composite Zip, customizable with Biomap sizing system, elasticated crotch sFt seals, neoprene or silicone seals are available as options, SiTech Antares system allows for several dry glove options in conjunction with silicone seals
• Pros: Versatile, rugged, good for extreme and milder conditions
• Cons: Expensive (but expected with these features)

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ScubaPro Everdry 4

• Material: 4 mm high-density neoprene
• Boots/socks: Socks
• Features: Reinforced, coated seams, leg pocket with zipper, hood, rear zipper, heavy-duty large kneepads, removable suspender system
• Pros: Extra soft neoprene allows you to wear thinner undergarments because of its good insulation level, men’s and women’s sizing, low priced
• Cons:  Overly large through the upper back and shoulders

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Waterproof D1 Hybrid

• Material: Trilaminate
• Boots/socks: Boots with improved rubber quality
• Features: Warm and comfortable mesh lining, silicone seals, soft and flexible neck ring with silicone, latex and neoprene neck seals, extremely durable to abrasion, new easily adjusted suspenders, improved leg pockets
• Pros: Superior mesh lining insulation provides excellent cold climate insulation
• Cons: Very expensive

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Viking Pro Surveyor

• Material: Vulcanized rubber, two-way stretch knit polyester lining
• Boots/socks:Boots
• Features: Gas/water impermeable heavy duty zippers, rotating valves, internal stitched and taped seams, external vulcanized seams, reinforced shoulders, rear and zipper (with anti-slip rubber), latex seals
• Pros: Exceptionally sturdy in all conditions, specially designed for contaminated water, easy to clean and repair, flexible and comfortable
• Cons: Extremely bulky and heavy-duty, recreational users may feel it is too heavy, expensive

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Waterproof D7 Pro ISS

• Material: Abrasion resistant trilaminate
• Boots/socks: Boots
• Features: ISS (integrated silicone seal) system-quick and easy to replace seals, kevlar reinforced knees and boots, double expandable pockets,  Chill guard, warm neck valve system
• Pros: The warm neck valve and chill guard offer extra protection from the cold, heavy duty suit
• Cons: Sizing runs large so a smaller female may not get a watertight fit, expensive

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Bare D6 Pro

• Material: 6 mm high-density neoprene, with nylon laminate on the surface
• Boots/socks: Boots
• Features:  Low profile TIZIP MasterSeal, 2 mm nylon/smoothskin warm collar with vented neck drain,  pre-installed suspender tabs – ready to accept optional suspenders, kevlar knee protection, your choice of HD vulcanized 4mm neoprene BARE boot, or soft boot, vented neck drain
• Pros: Very warm, choice of neoprene or latex neck seal, low-profile exhaust valve is adjustable
• Cons: Little bulky and heavy

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Drysuit	Material	Seals	Boots/Socks	Price	Rating
Bare X-Mission	Trilaminate	Latex/Neoprene	Boots	$$$$	4.9
Hollis DX 300X	Trilaminate	Silicone	Socks	$$$	4.8
Waterproof D9X Breathable	Quadlaminate	Latex	Boots	$$$	4.7
Hollis BTR-500	Trilaminate	Latex	Socks	$$	4.7
Fourth Element Argonaut Flex	Trilaminate	Latex	Socks	$$$$	4.8
ScubaPro Everdry 4	Neoprene	Neoprene	Socks	$	4.6
Waterproof D1 Hybrid	Trilaminate	Silicone	Boots	$$$$$	5
Viking Pro Surveyor	Vulcanized Rubber	Latex	Boots	$$$$	5
Waterproof D7 Pro ISS	Trilaminate	Silicone	Boots	$$$$	4.7
Bare D6 Pro	Neoprene	Latex/Neoprene	Boots	$$	4.3

I hope you found this post on dry suits interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Diving in a Dry Suit

If you like to dive, but getting cold is too uncomfortable to bear, not too mention potentially life-threatening, then you should consider investing in a dry suit.

As you may recall from your beginning scuba course, water conducts heat away from the body 20 times faster than air.  In cold water, an exposure suit is a necessity in order to remain comfortably warm and avoid hypothermia.  A dry suit does an excellent job of this by keeping water out and by having a layer of air around the body to warm us.

Dry suits are a bigger expense than wetsuits but can last ten times longer and provide a new and different kind of diving experience.  When people first think of scuba diving, warm, lush tropical settings come to mind.  Those aren’t always convenient or close to home, so on a more localized sea adventure you can still get some fantastic diving where the sea life is as rich or richer, but in cold water that requires stronger exposure protection ably provided by a dry suit.

Diving in a dry suit is different than when you use other kinds of exposure protection.  There is air inside which has an effect on buoyancy and the amount of weight you carry.  It is highly recommended to get some specific orientation or training.  A dry suit specialty course by PADI or another such training organization which contains confined and open water training can give you the skills and confidence to effectively and comfortably use your dry suit.

Materials

There are some sub-categories, but broadly speaking dry suits in widespread use are of two types, neoprene and membrane (otherwise called shell or trilaminate).  A third type is made of vulcanized rubber.

Membrane suits are made up of layers of material.  When there are 3 layers it is called trilaminate.  These suits will keep the water out, but provide little warmth.  They dry quickly and are easy to keep clean. Membrane suits are also more versatile. They generally fit more loosely and you adjust warmth by adding insulation inside. You can go from more temperate diving to extreme cold ice diving by switching to a thicker undergarment.

Neoprene drysuits make use of the same material used in wetsuits, but it is extra thick and has been crushed or compressed making it thinner and waterproof, but it still has an effect on buoyancy in ascents and descents. These suits are heavier and warmer than membrane suits allowing divers to wear lighter undergarments compared to when using membrane suits. They also fit more snuggly, which gives a more streamlined feel underwater but are a little more work to put on.  Damage or puncture is also a bigger possibility than with membrane suits.

Vulcanized rubber is used in heavy-duty military, search and rescue, commercial and contaminated water applications.  The lining is usually made of a blend of natural and man-made fibers and uses seals of latex.

Seals

Seals at the wrists and neck keep water out of your dry suit. Choices of materials for seals are neoprene (mainly on neoprene dry suits) and latex and or/silicone seals (mainly on membrane dry suits). There have been some complaints of allergies to latex, so some companies have turned to silicone or neoprene instead.

Neoprene is generally considered the most durable but will stretch over time. Also, due to its thickness, it can be a challenge for some divers to pull a neoprene seal over their head.

Latex and silicone seals are more flexible and easier to replace when needed. If a diver is allergic to latex, silicone seals are as flexible but easier to tear.

Zippers

The main zippers, usually placed on the front or back and very important in keeping you dry, are the most expensive bit to replace.  They should be washed with fresh water and lubricated to properly maintain them. Some suits also have pee zips (for use on the surface only).

 

Valves

Dry suits have a low-pressure inflator for adding air to the dry suit for warmth and for buoyancy control.  There are also dump valves usually located near the shoulder and/or a cuff.  These come in automatic or manual. You will need to know how to use these to effectively function.  That will be a major focus of training.

 

Boots or Socks

Dry suits come with a sort of foot covering attached to the suit.  Commonly these are in the form of neoprene socks or lightweight boots.  If your suit has socks you can conveniently wear rock boots or wetsuit boots on top.  These provide stronger protection if you need to hike around on a rugged shoreline surface before submerging.

 

Other Features and Accessories to Consider

• Pockets or no pockets
• Hoods and dry gloves for extremely cold environments
• Weight systems
• Regulator suitable for cold water

Getting a Good Fit

Try it on to make sure it fits properly and is just what you are looking for.

• Can you bend your knees enough to put your fins on?  Is it roomy enough to bend over as you are sitting?
• Can you reach with both hands up to the position of the tank valve?
• Can you squat with feet flat to the floor and knees fully bent?

If it is a membrane suit you are trying on, make sure you are wearing an undergarment while putting yourself through the paces above.

If you’re not able to comfortably complete all of the three exercises, the suit is inhibiting movement too much. When the dry suit does not fit properly, there will be safety issues.  Make sure it fits before you go diving.

Also, seals around the neck and wrists should be fairly tight to ensure no water gets in.

Alterations 

It is possible to have adjustments made to help make a better fit.  It could be a matter of replacing or adjusting neck or cuff seals or just changing boot sizes. As the dry suit is no small investment you are urged to seek a certified professional to help you with this.  You want a correct alteration and a safe piece of equipment to result.

Women’s Dry Suits

The number of women diving is increasing at such a rate that the smart equipment companies now provide dry suits with the features and form suitable for the unique characteristics of the female body.  There are special models available for women and those that are suitable for both men and women.

 

Remember 

Remove earrings, rings or any other jewelry or objects that might get hung up on or tear the drysuit or its seals when putting it on or taking it off.

Maintenance

Dry suits need regular basic maintenance. Periodically check the valves, clean and lube the zippers and get the dry suit pressure tested. Clean your dry suit with fresh water after dives as you do with the rest of your dive equipment.

In the next post, I will compare and review specific models for your consideration.  Click here for that:

• Top 10 Scuba Drysuits of 2019 Compared and Reviewed

I hope you found this post on dry suits interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<