News/Press Release
17 August 2009
Our Review of the Best Dry Suits
Dry suit technology is constantly evolving ensuring that all divers and people who engage in water sports have the best equipment available. Like all specialist sports wear the requirements for a good dry suit are very specific, they are designed to be lightweight and of course water tight but this can be a difficult combination.
Dry suits have 2 distinct styles the shell suit that is very thin and designed to be worn over clothes to keep the wearer warm, the dry suit itself does not provide any insulation. There are then suits that have a Gore-Tex lining that is designed to keep you insulated but that is breathable to prevent over heating.
Wearing a dry suit creates greater flexibility for the wearer to venture out in any weather. The lightweight outer shell does not provide insulation against the cold and therefore you need to layer up underneath, but it does mean that if you are in warmer temperatures you can wear one layer under your suit to keep cool.
Stealth by Henri Lloyd
Established in 1963 Henri Lloyd has been providing boating events with clothing and equipment consistently since they first opened. Their dedication to creating the best quality sailing equipment lead to them developing the TP1 material that they have used in their Stealth Dry Suit.
The material is designed to be waterproof and lightweight, to ensure maximum comfort and performance the fabric is breathable which prevents the wearer from overheating.
To keep the suit water tight it is sealed around the neck and wrists with neoprene which sits closely to the skin preventing water from entering and leaves the wearer dry and comfortable. The Henri Lloyd Dry suits have well sealed zips so there is no potential of water entering the suit from any gaps in the material.
The suit comes with watertight latex feet which mean that separate shoes will not be a potential leak area and with good maintenance will last well. This dry suit comes with a fast draining pocket so it will dry out quickly between dives, which would be ideal for the frequent diver.
Musto Dinghy Dry Suits
Musto founded by Keith Musto an Olympic medal winning sailor in 1965. The company’s dedication to using the latest technology and developing the best product available can be seen in the latest dry suit technology.
The Musto Dinghy Dry suit has been designed for the active crew member; it has internal braces that keep it in place. The neck and wrists are sealed with neoprene to ensure maximum comfort and waterproofing. Musto have added knee and bum pads into the suit to minimise wear and tear in the main problem areas. Made from nylon it’s lightweight and comfortable, ideal to wear during dinghy races as it allows plenty of body movement.
For an alternative racing suit the Musto MPX dry suit is specifically designed for dinghy and small boat sailing. This dry suit has latex cuffs that bond with the skin to keep the water out. Once again the suit is reinforced in the knee and seat area to prevent excessive wear and tear. This suit is lined with
Musto Extreme Conditions Dry Suit
Musto HPX is at the cutting edge of dry suit design and technology. It has been designed for use in the ocean in extreme temperatures and conditions; it has been developed with this specification in mind and as a result is very hard wearing with a high technology level.
It is designed to withstand very cold temperatures down to 5 degrees Celsius, it has a fleece lined collar and a valve to inflate the suit to increase warmth at very cold temperatures. The valves and zips are designed to be water tight even at a fairly high water pressure. Adjustable wrist and ankle straps mean extra comfort, as do internal braces that keep the suit in place during diving or sailing. Keeping the suit in place is important because while you are on deck moving about you need to feel completely comfortable to keep your focus on winning the race or staying safe rather than getting irritated with a suit that is moving all over the place.
Junior Dry Suits
It’s not just the adults that need protecting from the cold, junior sailors need to be kept dry and comfortable during the colder months. Musto have developed some dry suits that are ideal for the active young sailing enthusiast.
Both the junior Musto MPX dry suit and junior Dinghy dry suit are smaller versions of the adult version ensuring that junior and adult sailors have access to the best technology available. Each one is designed to provide maximum comfort and waterproofing.
With so many high technology dry suits available there is no excuse to not take part in your favourite sailing activities all year long!
