December 2002
By John Brumm

Tropical Skins Reviewed in This Article

Dry Suits Reviewed in This Article

Dry Suit Undergarments Reviewed in This Article

Gloves Reviewed in This Article

Tropical Skins

No matter how good that tropical scene may look, you giant stride into water ranging in temperature from the high 70s to the low 80s and even warmer, and chances are you're going to need some neoprene. Not a lot. Just enough to protect your arms and legs from abrasion and to keep water from flowing over your bare skin. This is where lightweight neoprene tropical skinsuits come in.

There are many styles to choose from--just remember that fit is foremost. Keep it snug. That's why it's a good idea to select a suit that comes in many sizes. The more sizes, the better the chance to optimize fit. Plus watch for good seals in the ankle, wrist and neck areas. The better the seals, the less water is going to seep in and steal your body heat. Other important features: a well-protected zipper and extras like thumb loops, foot stirrups and knee and spine pads.

AKONA

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| 1mm Full Suit|
1mm Full Suit

A terrific value. Low price and lots of sizes to choose from. Collar features a Velcro-adjustable skin-in neck seal. Wrist and ankle cuffs are nicely finished. Screened knee patches minimize abrasion in this high-wear area. $90

HENDERSON

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| Microprene 1mm Jumpsuit|
Microprene 1mm Jumpsuit

Quality construction with flatlock seams and Lycra trim. Offers foot stirrups, molded knee pads and a spine pad to fill that natural hollow along the back. Key pouch included. $119.95

Tropical Skins (cont.)

MARES

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| Revolution 1mm Full Suit|
Revolution 1mm Full Suit

This unique suit features rolled skin-in seals not only on the neck but also on the wrists and ankles. Built with a variety of panels to increase flexibility. Stitching is above average throughout. With kneepads. $109.95

OCEANIC

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| .5mm Cyberskin|
.5mm Cyberskin

A half mil of neoprene bonded between two layers of nylon. Multipanel design creates a comfortable fit. Collar, wrist and ankle cuffs have finished edges. Extras include thumb loops and foot stirrups that can be removed. Also available in black and blue version. $119.95

SCUBAPRO

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| .5mm N2S Steamer|
.5mm N2S Steamer

Superb workmanship. Offers more stitches per inch than any suit tested. Collar, wrists and ankles are nicely finished. Reinforced patches on knees as well as shoulders and buttocks. In 12 sizes (7 men's, 5 women's). $111

NOTE: The front-zip model pictured here is no longer available; still available in back-zip model.

Dry Suits

Nothing beats being warm in cold water. With a dry suit, water temperature and the depth of your dive become less of an issue because you can regulate your at-depth comfort either by varying the thickness of your thermal undergarments or by adding air to the suit. And if that isn't wonderful enough, between dives you can forget about shlepping around the dive boat in a soggy wetsuit because you'll be wearing the equivalent of fuzzy pajamas.

Yes, as a dry suit diver life is good, and it's relatively cheap too. Of the 10 dry suits we reviewed this year, both fabric and foam neoprene, all were priced around or under $1,000. So diving dry will not only turn your underwater sport into year-round entertainment, it'll do so without walloping your wallet. The top dry suits from 2002 are:

DUI

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| TLSSE|
TLSSE

Made from extremely comfortable trilaminate material. The additional nylon underlay helps protect the waterproof layer and also makes it easier to slip the suit over undergarments. Neck and wrist seals are cone-shaped. The suit comes with Rock Boots. Now available in both men's and women's sizes. $1,038

CNSE

CNSE

Fits like a glove. Heavy-duty nylon over 1.5mm hypercompressed neoprene provides more stretch than fabric suits while sidestepping the buoyancy problems of traditional foam neoprene. With beefy knee pads for the bottom scratchers among us. $1,038

HENDERSON

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| Arctic Dry II|
Arctic Dry II

In stretchability, it's almost like wearing a wetsuit. Easier to don and doff than most foam neoprene suits. Ankles are tapered. Soft uppers combine with a hard sole to create a rugged but flexible boot. Skin-in wrist seals are standard. $729

WHITES

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| Nexus Shell|
Nexus Shell

Good bilaminate fabric suit at a great price. With bell-shaped latex seals, suspenders and a partial elastic waistband. One of the best-fitting shell suits. Available with Evolution boots for an extra $80. $678

Dry Suit Undergarments

Wearing the right dry suit undergarment will make a big difference in your warmth and comfort both at depth and on the surface. Whether you choose a one-piece jumpsuit or a jacket/pants combo, the outer shell needs to be wind and waterproof (or at least water-resistant). More stretch in the back and waist is also good as it improves range of motion. Wrist and ankle restraints, like elastic cuffs and foot stirrups, keep legs and sleeves from pushing up and the aggravation level down. Here are our picks:

DIVING CONCEPTS

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| Stretch TPS Thinsulate Extreme|
Stretch TPS Thinsulate Extreme

Nylon shell over 11 ounces of polyester plus 200-gram Thinsulate. Material stretches, allowing for increased range of motion. Liner and shell are quilted, so they move together, minimizing uncomfortable folds in the liner. $500

USIA

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| Thermolux I|
Thermolux I

Two-piece farmer john style. Bib completely covers chest and has adjustable elastic suspenders. Jacket has elastic cuffs and lined hand-warming pockets. Well- designed double-ended zipper. Nylon over 16-ounce fleece. $265

WHITES

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| Glacier System|
Glacier System

Lots of possible layering combinations with john and inner jacket (soft fleece) and outer pant and jacket (fleece plus Thinsulate plus nylon shell). Sleeves unzip from the jackets and can zip onto the john. Inner and outer jackets can become vests, the john can become a jumpsuit. Base jacket, $138; base john, $138; outer jacket, $218; outer pant, $158

Gloves

The primary considerations when choosing a glove for diving in tropical waters are protection and dexterity rather than insulation. So while the back sides of tropical gloves can be made of thin, high-stretch neoprene or polyester mesh, the palms must be able to resist punctures and scrapes but still provide enough finger dexterity to finesse mask straps and camera controls.

On the other hand, in temperate waters warmth is the goal, so although protection and dexterity are important, insulation is key. Three millimeters of neoprene is a good compromise, providing warmth and protection without totally sacrificing dexterity. Here are the top tropical and temperate-water gloves tested in 2002:

AKONA

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| AKNG132K 3.5mm Deluxe|
AKNG132K 3.5mm Deluxe

With Kevlar palm material that also covers wrist and fingertips. Cut with pre-curved fingers to conform to the shape of the hand. A gusset assists in donning and doffing. Five sizes. $40

DACOR

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| Caribbean|
Caribbean

Rugged comfort. Textured reinforcement strips overlay the synthetic leather palm and fingers, yet the glove is still surprisingly dexterous due, in part, to the high stretch 2mm neoprene on back. Six sizes. $39

HENDERSON

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| 3mm Gold Core Gripper|
3mm Gold Core Gripper

A slick temperate-water glove. Skin-in lining minimizes water flow, which makes for a warmer dive. Tops in comfort and dexterity. Special diamond-pattern polymer material provides palm protection. $39.95

PARKWAY

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| Titanium Shark Skin-in|
Titanium Shark Skin-in

Oh so warm. With quick-drying "sharkskin" lining to minimize water flow. Pre-formed grip with Protex palm protection. A wrist gusset and wide-cut gauntlet are helpful when wearing a dry suit. $50

SCUBAPRO

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| Tropic Amara Sport|
Tropic Amara Sport

Soft and supple. With a 1.5mm back and Amara palm, this is the lightest and most comfortable tropical glove tested. Excellent fingertip sensitivity. Elastic stitching works with a Velcro flap to provide a secure fit. $31