Well, I live out past Booneyville, we don't often get a good sampling of what is available in the market place being worn by local divers. For the longest time Whites and Atlan were really the only suits available here locally and that is generally what people around here wear. Although I can't really complain about my White's suit, they do not have a good rep. around here for customer service and also it is not likely I could get a competitive price on a new one. And not much chance I could attend one of those DUI rallies here locally. But several of my friends dive DUI suits.

I have dove neoprene and shell suits, latex seals and neoprene seals. I much prefer self entry shell suits, I find them more versatile for the diving in this area. Our temps range from high 20's F in winter to low 70's F in summer. Although I have always worn wet gloves and hood, the lack of dexterity in the three finger mitt in winter is just intolerable.

I did consider a BARE suit, they also have a good rep. But I believe I can get a better price on the DUI. I do know a guy who got a used viking suit years ago and he was very happy with it.

I know most people go with the upper arm dump valve, but I have tried both that position and my current suit has it on the forearm. I find the forearm super easy to deal with. I can remain horizontal and slightly raise my arm and let out a bubble at a time if I want. At the time I remember selecting that position for the dump valve because I was doing a lot of working dives, and if you forgot to close the valve down before you got vertical to pry on something or crawl into a tight space, all the air would vent out at the shoulder. I don't do working dives like that anymore, so don't know if it would really be an issue anymore. I have seen some guys with two dump valves, one upper and one lower. *shrug*

I have heard some good things about weezles, but I watched a buddy make an out of control ascent once from 90 feet because fuzz from the weezles? Or the loft of them?? had blocked his deflate valve. Scary. The undergarments I use now are a layer of thinsulate sandwiched between two layers of fleece. Warm enough, but kinda bulky and although they were custom made, the cut of the garment binds my range of motion which I noticed when I started diving double tanks with a manifold. Very hard to reach my valves.

The thing I'm wondering about the latex hood is I can't get a straight answer from anyone about how it affects clearing the ears?? I've also noticed that some guys who use them have installed little one way valves in them to vent air accumulated in the hood? But I've seen guys dive in cold water with just the latex hood and "claim" to not be cold.

As far as dry gloves, boots, p-valve, etc. I'm just wondering what people's experiences are because I know many people buy third party stuff instead of paying for the option when they buy the suit. F'rinstance, like I said, I heard some negative comments about DUI's dryglove system.

I do plan to patch up the White's suit and keep it as a back up or spare. It is still in pretty decent condition and I have never had a leak in the zipper or seams. Just replaced the neck and wrist seals last month for the first time. The attached boot is worn through in little spots but so far no leaks in the neoprene sock underneath. But it is time to get a better fitting suit with the accessories to go along with my diving as it advances.

Comments so far have been very good! Thanks guys. I'm sure this thread will even be informative for lots of people down the road too.