Swapped out my drysuit seals from latex to silicone after 2 leaky dives in Puget Sound last month

The silicone seals cost twice as much but they fit way better and I didn't get that clammy rubber feeling around my wrists has anyone else made the switch and noticed a difference in comfort?

4 comments

4 Comments

evan_cooper731mo ago

Those Puget Sound dives will definitely test your gear, that's for sure. I'm curious though, when you say the silicone seals tore on a rocky exit, was it the seal itself or the glue joint that gave out? I've been through three sets of silicone seals in the last two years, and every single failure was where the silicone met the drysuit material, not the silicone ripping. Are you putting them on over a bare wrist or using some kind of liner? Because I found if I don't take that extra second to make sure the seal isn't pinched on my watch band or glove ring, that's where the trouble starts.

jadej501mo ago

Hang on, silicone isn't all it's cracked up to be. I switched back to latex after a season with silicone. The silicone tore way too easy on a rocky shore exit. Latex is tougher, cheaper, and I never had that "clammy" issue because I just dust my wrists with baby powder before pulling them on.

reese_hayes711mo ago

Honestly, I gotta disagree a little. I've had the opposite experience with silicone holding up way better than latex in cold water, never had a tear issue. Maybe it depends on the brand or how thick the stuff is?

jamie8041mo ago

@reese_hayes71 probably has it right, baby powder on latex wrists is a game changer for sure.