£465

In the UK the drysuit market is saturated - there are hundreds of different models to choose from. But is there room for one more? Well, a new entrant to the market, Sports Components, a company based in Brecon (mid Wales), think there is. Steve Thomas, its managing director, is a cave diver and self-confessed fusspot when it comes to his equipment. His philosophy is to redesign products that he feels could have been made better. So, has he achieved his goal with his first piece of kit, the Outer Edge drysuit? The DIVE test team took an exclusive look at one of the first suits off the production line. The suit is made from 4.5mm compressed, super-stretch neoprene and my initial impression when I put it on was that it gave a comfortable fit and provided good manoeuvrability. The outer nylon lining appears to be hard-wearing and the neo-vulcanised kneepads and hard-soled boots appear to be up to the job. Entry and exit are via a shoulder-entry zip, which is protected both inside and out by a flip-down flap. In the water the suit certainly is flexible. It was December when we tested the Outer Edge and the water was a cool 10°C, so I supplemented the Thinsulate that comes with the suit with an extra base layer. This made the suit a neat fit.

Throughout the dive I barely noticed I was wearing it, in fact it felt a lot more flexible than the thick wetsuit I use for winter Red Sea diving. I would say that this suit offers all the movement benefits of a membrane suit without the drawbacks of having little insulation and a rigid material. It is supplied with Sports Components' purpose-designed inlet and exhaust valves, inflation hose, super-stretch hood and latex neck and wrist seals.

Personally, I would change the neck seal for a neoprene one, but that's because I usually spend all day in a suit and have found that latex seals chafe at the neck.

After ten-hours of test diving the Outer Edge, I think it is a delight to use, and coming in at just over £450 represents great value for money - especially when the whole kit also includes lightweight undersuit, storage/carry bag, direct feed, talc and zip lube. Sports Components say it has managed to put together this value-for-money package by cutting overheads rather than price. The company manufactures and sells direct, so it doesn't have high distribution costs.

Sports Components is currently recruiting agents, including dive clubs, who can sell into their own local area. The next products to be released are aimed primarily at the cave-diving market, but as with most diving equipment these will probably appeal to the majority of hard-core British divers.

Verdict

Flexible suit and excellent price
Value: 9 out of 10
Performance: 9 out of 10

Contact: Sports Components 01874 620765
Website: http://www.sports-components.com