A drysuit is essential if you’re planning on diving in cold waters, and serious divers will need high-quality gear to cope with their dives. Charles Hood imagines that money is no object and tests some of the finest – and priciest – suits on the market If you’re serious about diving in temperate waters such as those around the UK, you’ll need a decent drysuit, which can mean shelling a fair amount of cash if you want the best. Sure, many recreational divers may not have the money or the desire to buy a top-of- the-range suit, but the more hardcore among you will certainly see the value in spending hundreds of pounds more – these suits are an investment, representing the diver’s commitment to the sport. But what exactly do you get for that extra money?
On test here are the very best drysuits as defined by their manufacturers – we simply asked each company to send us their crème de la crème suit, leaving the choice of model, style and material entirely up to them. The suits are listed in no particular order, and the verdicts reflect the results of DIVE’s in-water test of each suit, and offer a personal opinion, pointing out the good features as well as the bad.
What to look for in a drysuit
• When choosing a drysuit, the fit is of paramount importance: if it is too tight, it will impair your movement; too loose and it will lead to buoyancy problems.
• Consider whether you want integrated boots or socks with rock boots. The latter will mean that it takes more time to kit up, but you can fully invert the legs to dry them out between dives.
• Check the position of any valves. Take your BC or wing with you when you try on the suit, and make sure the fastening straps don’t obscure the valves.
• If you have the option, choose a colourful drysuit – the majority of hardboat skippers will thank you for it. But if you do insist on all-black attire (and that’s all you can really buy these days), then try to at least get some reflective strips (preferably SOLAS-grade) sewn onto the suit to give your buddy a decent chance of spotting you during the dive.