What is the best Dry Suit?

[Moki]

I am looking for a dry suit, does anybody have any suggestions on what is the best and why?

[Stitchy]

Best dry suit

Moki,
I have a Gladiator nylon drysuit that is over 10 years old. I have no knowledge on the neoprene drysuits. As for the nylon, I think it's worked out great with 50+ wears out on the water w/3mm gloves and 3mm boots:
Advantages- light/thin, durable, room to decide on how many/kinds of layers to use, solid zipper, seals do well if you take care of them while putting it on/removing/storing it
Disadvantages-pain to put on and remove, zipper on the back is bulky, bigger $$$ over wetsuits

I would think you would find these adv/disadv common throughout most dry suits. Unless its unbearable, I still favor a full wet suit w/gloves/boots over the dry suit. Let us know how it works out after your first use.

[lba_dillon]

I am perfectly happy with my Bare Ultra Dry!!!!! I got it @ a great price from gizzly-sports.com and it has held up perfectly!!!!!!! About 6 of us in our Tige Owners group have them and we wouldn't ride in COLD water without it! Check out that website and give them a call.......super friendly and you won't be disappointed with the price!!!!

[Paublo]

This is my 5th winter with a Bare drysuit and I have no complaints at all. It gets used by everyone and the baggy style is very forgiving for people of different sizes. I too bought mine from Grizzly. They just replaced one ankle seal and the work was good and only $40. Great people to deal with. I went with Bare because I've had a pair of Bare waders for flyfishing and they are high quality. Whatever brand you buy, I'd go with the baggy style suit. You can layer clothes for warmth as needed and it' still easy to move around.

[Matt Garcia]

Another vote for Bare, I am on my 3rd season and its still holding up well. Agreed with what lba and Paublo said. Most of all they have great customer service.

[Coach]

I just bought my first dry suit and it is the Overton's Gladiator. They had a 15% of coupon so I was able to get the suit for about $200. I went this route was price and not knowing how much I would be using the suit. I have heard from many on WW that Bare is an awesome suit. If you go to www.gotriver.com they have some of the best prices on the Bare. You might even call them because they had a sale in Dec on the suits they might carry over until the new year.

[Tequilasun]

Another name I hear bantered around a lot is the O'neil boost.

I have no experience with it, but a lot of people on Wakeworld seem to like it.

[lba_dillon]

I got 2 Bare Ultra's from Grizzly shipped for $510!!!! So, I thought that was a great price!!!! I know some people with the Gladiator and they thought it was not as comfortable or as solid as the Bare....Also the Oneill Boost is a baggy suit that is quite popular....but the price turns ALOT of people away from it! It retails for close to $400!!!! I am sure places have it a little cheaper..... But in 40 degree water all I need is a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt under my Bare and I'm toasty!!!!! Best bang for your buck!!!! In my honest opinion...

[NICKYPOO]

I've got the O'neil. It's really nice. The seals work great and the neck doesn't choke you to death. Super warm. T-shirt and sweats, good to go. I picked it up for $370 two years ago. Only problem so far is that the neck is a tick too big for the wife and lets in a little water if she takes a header. I'm sure one of these days she's gonna get one just for her.

[Moki]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I have used the O'Neil boost, I think that's what Lovin Powell has and I liked it. I felt like the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man when I first put it on. But, I like the idea of the baggy suit being forgiving on different sizes. I looked for one at Marine World near me, but they only have a small or a large and would like a medium. The price on those were $379. I have also heard good things about Bare. I checked out Grizzly Sports website, but couldn't find any dry suits at this time. I am going to look for a Boost or an Ultra Dry, if anybody sees any good deals, let me know!

Thanks!!!

[T*]

Likely not the Best, but...

I am looking for a dry suit, does anybody have any suggestions on what is the best and why?

Three of our crew are rolling in the same Black/Yellow/Blue Suit that Overton's sells for $239 - I bought the 3 of them together for $600 at a surf shop in Stone Harbor, NJ (Wetsuit World). They gave us lifetime seal replacement. I think it was a decent deal, and we're all happy enough w/the suits.

These suits do look rather 'One Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'-esque. To counter this a long-sleeve t-shirt over top adds some flavor. An XXL Black Label Society Concert t-shirt fits the bill for me.

[Coach]

Three of our crew are rolling in the same Black/Yellow/Blue Suit that Overton's sells for $239 - I bought the 3 of them together for $600 at a surf shop in Stone Harbor, NJ (Wetsuit World). They gave us lifetime seal replacement. I think it was a decent deal, and we're all happy enough w/the suits.

These suits do look rather 'One Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'-esque. To counter this a long-sleeve t-shirt over top adds some flavor. An XXL Black Label Society Concert t-shirt fits the bill for me.

That is the same one I have, Minus the Black Label Society Tee. They F'n Rock!!! I was pumping the BLS last night on the I-pod!

Where do you get the wax for the Zipper? I need some parfin or bees wax to put on the zipper.

[T*]

Black Label Society

That is the same one I have, Minus the Black Label Society Tee. They F'n Rock!!! I was pumping the BLS last night on the I-pod!

Where do you get the wax for the Zipper? I need some parfin or bees wax to put on the zipper.

Yeah, Coach - another 'Society Dwelling Mother-...!' If you don't have it, pick up 'Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live' - awesome early BLS from their 2001 tour. Did you get into Zakk's 'Pride & Glory' project? More southern / less brutal than BLS. My primary riding playlist is heavy on the BLS and early Sevendust - they just get me right.

Drysuit Zipper: our suits are new as of October '06, so we've done no maintenance yet. My wife makes pottery as a hobby, and I'm sure one of her crafter friends would be hooked up w/bees wax for something - I'll check w/her on sources.

[Coach]

Yeah, Coach - another 'Society Dwelling Mother-...!' If you don't have it, pick up 'Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live' - awesome early BLS from their 2001 tour. Did you get into Zakk's 'Pride & Glory' project? More southern / less brutal than BLS. My primary riding playlist is heavy on the BLS and early Sevendust - they just get me right.

Drysuit Zipper: our suits are new as of October '06, so we've done no maintenance yet. My wife makes pottery as a hobby, and I'm sure one of her crafter friends would be hooked up w/bees wax for something - I'll check w/her on sources.

I will have to check out those albums and Pride and Glory project. I just discovered BLS about 2 years ago and think I have bought almost all of their stuff. Sevendust is always sweet (face to face and headtrip a few of my favorites)

[Moki]

Moki,
I have a Gladiator nylon drysuit that is over 10 years old. I have no knowledge on the neoprene drysuits. As for the nylon, I think it's worked out great with 50+ wears out on the water w/3mm gloves and 3mm boots:
Advantages- light/thin, durable, room to decide on how many/kinds of layers to use, solid zipper, seals do well if you take care of them while putting it on/removing/storing it
Disadvantages-pain to put on and remove, zipper on the back is bulky, bigger $$$ over wetsuits

I would think you would find these adv/disadv common throughout most dry suits. Unless its unbearable, I still favor a full wet suit w/gloves/boots over the dry suit. Let us know how it works out after your first use.

Stitchy,
Thanks again for your information. I am still going to get a dry suit, but I found a deal on some wetsuits that I bought as well. I got one for my son that is 6.5 mm and then I got this lighter weight one:

http://www.unrealfind.com/Merchant2/...y_Code=011mall