New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Drysuit decisions.....
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Drysuit decisions.....

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
didlydon View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work
Avatar

Joined: 15 Oct 08
Location: Margate England
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 280
Post Options Post Options   Quote didlydon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Drysuit decisions.....
    Posted: 07 Nov 14 at 8:25pm
In the process of sorting out my drysuit options - from Hammonds you can opt to have ankle cuffs as against latex feet. In my limited experience of dry suits I've only had latex feet but have always suffered freezing uncomfortable squashed up feet that are wet n clammy no matter what I do.. Unhappy...Gah it's gotta be better than this surely!  So..... Was thinking of going the cuff route which'll allow for hot socks & regular dinghy boots. What's the opinion of you forumites as to the wisdom or otherwise of this please? Do your feet still end up freezing?
Vareo 365

Back to Top
RS400atC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Dec 08
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3011
Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 14 at 8:40pm
I have a Typhoon with fabric feet, neo collar and cuffs.
Would buy the same again.
It was their expensive model, but I got it at a good price.

Also have a diving drysuit with built in rubber boots, that would be an option except our slipway wears the grip off boot soles.
Back to Top
GarethT View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 21 Apr 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 714
Post Options Post Options   Quote GarethT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 14 at 8:40pm
If you put something slippy outside the drysuit feet they should slide into boots without squeezing.

You can buy Lycra socks for just that purpose, but I found freezer bags just as good.

Edited by GarethT - 07 Nov 14 at 8:41pm
Back to Top
jaydub View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 06 Jan 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 267
Post Options Post Options   Quote jaydub Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 14 at 8:51pm
I'll second the use of lycra socks.  Couldn't believe the difference they made.

It's only £10 for a pair of lycra socks.  Could end up cheaper than freezer bags in the long run  Wink

My first dry suit had ankle cuffs and my feet froze in old fashioned wet socks.  Technology has moved on, but I'd still don't think I would consider ankle cuffs again.
Back to Top
Do Different View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 26 Jan 12
Location: North
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1312
Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 14 at 8:54pm
My mate nicks his wife's (so he says) ankle height stocking feet things for the same purpose.
Back to Top
Medway Maniac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2788
Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 14 at 9:58pm
The boots you wear over built-in drysuit feet need to be big enough not to squeeze your feet, so I buy supersize (think Coco the Clown) dinghy boots and just live with my feet slopping about in them in the summer.  The well-heeled (literally!) could have summer and winter pairs - they all wear out eventually, after all.

Under the drysuit feet, I wear polyprop liner socks and Musto hot socks.  No more cold feet (except in my mental approach).

I'll second the freezer bag idea, but find the free bags used in supermarkets to put your fruit and veg in are ideally thin and slippery.  Also helps deal with the mounting pile of such bags gathering in my veg drawer (I've even started taking them back to the supermarket to re-use them - gives me a warm enviro-glow!)
Back to Top
The Moo View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 01 Jun 06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 809
Post Options Post Options   Quote The Moo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 14 at 7:52am
Oversize dinghy boots (I think mine might even be 3 sizes up!) and a pair of ordinary socks over the latex. Feet are toast and I am still nimble on my feet.

My wife wears my summer size boots over her drysuit feet.
Back to Top
Paramedic View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 27 Jan 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 929
Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 14 at 8:14am
Talcom powder works well to get in and out of boots and helps protect the latex. 
Back to Top
Medway Maniac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2788
Post Options Post Options   Quote Medway Maniac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 14 at 9:47am
Have you already decided on whether it's latex or neoprene for the cuff and neck seals?

I've now switched to neoprene. Definitely not as good a seal for a given amount of strangling, but good enough for dinghy sailing imho, and it does save me the biennial (it seemed) trip to Hammonds to have them replaced.
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956
Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 14 at 9:55am
I replaced my own neoprene wrist seals at the beginning of the season (I'd bought the suit 2nd hand the year before, and one was torn) and it wasn't too hard. Taking the old ones off was the most difficult bit, but I managed without leaving too much glue on the iron... The feet are a little too small, so my next task will be to replace them, but kinda waiting till I have to. They are latex - can I replace them with cloth, or do they have to be on a suit from new?
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy