DIVER TESTS SPECIAL

20 DRY SUITS

Introduction
Aquatek X480
Aquion Pro Rear-Entry
Beaver Iceberg Ultra
Body Glove Pro-Lite
Diamond Saxon 200
DMS Atlantis
DUI FLX50/50
Gates PRO-VSN 1100
GUL Commercial
Hydrotech Evolution
IST Dive Team Proline
Northern Diver Vortex
Oceanic Flex
O'Three RI 2/500
Otter Technical Superskin
Poseidon Jetsuit TNG
Roho Tech
Seaway Arctic Pro
Typhoon Nexus
Viking Pro 1000

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GUL Commercial
First impressions
A tough commercial suit with no frills (apart from the hood!). Although labelled "Compressed Neoprene", it looked to be at least 7mm in thickness.
Price £399 (excluding hood, valves and hose).
Material and construction All-neoprene construction. Seams are very close-stitched and appear to have glue incorporated with the stitching too. A separate crotch panel means no stitching at the crotch ­ the load is spread and seam joints are positioned where there is less stress. It is the same under the arms. There are reinforcing patches at all seam junctions on the inside. A very strongly made suit; we were all extremely enthusiastic about the way it was put together.
Boots Neoprene lined, they looked like they would wear well; glued, stitched and taped to the leg end.
Zip A heavy-duty cross-shoulder zip, well secured to the suit inside and out. A neoprene comfort flap means this suit can be worn without an undersuit.
Seals Neoprene. Asymmetric seam in the cuff limits stress points; glued and taped. The neck seal was a little short, but of high-quality construction; butt jointed but well backed with wide neoprene tape.
Wrist seal contact length 90mm.
Knee pads A bit small but looked tidy. Stitched and glued.
Valves Apeks low-profile inflation valve, positioned at the centre of the chest. No dump valve.
Other features The supplied hood seemed very complicated. We called it a "Biggles Hood" ­ it was a bit like a Labrador with floppy ears. Very frilly!
Ease of dressing Average.
In the water "The over-complicated hood achieved nothing, but at least it did not flap up. The suit was very comfortable and was completely dry inside despite having to dump air through a (neoprene) wrist seal. A nice suit."
Approximate weight of test suit 5kg.
Made-to-measure service Stock sizes only.
Tested by George Buxton.

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