Drysuits - DUI FLX Extreme or Santi E.Lite

[BB1]

Hi,

I just cant decide between these 2 so thought I'd through it out there to the wider community for advice.

Please note my choice is between these 2 and will not be considering others!

DUI FLX Extreme

Pro's:
Available at a good price
XLT on paper should fit just right
Zip neck seal may be a good thing

Con's:
It's a DUI with their reputation for leaky suits these days (my biggest worry)
Turbo soles - NASTY!
Neo socks and booties - I have size 15 feet so booties are an issue.
Wrist seals are cones and that doesnt work with my tendons.
Not interested in wrist zip seals


Santi E.Lite

Pro's:
mtm available at a reasonable upgrade price over rack sizes
Flex sole boots - awesome, even a size 15!
Pockets - really good
good rep for not leaking
Can add Si Tech oval wrist rings which rock.

Con's:
No one keeps stock here so cant try anything on
Warranty issues have to go back to Poland
Price is higher than the DUI


Lastly do I go for standard cut or slim/cave cut??

I use 4th element undies and vary between thinner xerotherms for home waters and the arctics for our cave country.


For the record the DUI is a select series with pockets and is priced around $400 cheaper than the Santi.

[mdax]

I love my FLX. Dive it 3-4x a week and it doesn't leak anywhere. I don't use zip seals as don't like the ring feel.
I really love the fit, however I had Doug Mudry size it and he's super experienced. Love the cave cut and the halcyon pockets.
I was unsure about the turbo soles, however now that I've had it about a year I realize they were the right choice for me.

[trob09]

You may get lots of "you can't go wrong with either suit" types of responses and I would tend to agree. I had the same question several months ago and went with the Santi E.Lite and am completely satisfied with the purchase. I've had a couple of DUI suits in the past, my current "light" suit is a TLS 350. A friend has a FLX and it looks like a great suit. some thoughts about your points:

my TLS has been mostly leak-free, E.Lite is too new to really evaluate but it has been bone-dry so far.
I don't find a whole lot of difference between the DUI turbo soles and the Santi flex boots. yes, they are a bit different, but not as much as your pro's/con's list indicates.
Pockets on the Santi rock. If I were getting a DUI, I'd get it without pockets and have Light Monkey pockets installed

So, I'm happy with my choice - it's the best suit I've had (out of a couple of DUI suits, a Diving Concepts suit, Posideon Unisuit and old SAS...) but I think I either way you should have a great suit.

[BB1]

Hi trob09,

I'm about settled on the Santi, did you get standard cut or slim cut?
Made to measure or rack size? If its mtm did you measure yourself?
Happy with the fit?
Did you find the Flexsole boots true to size or run big?

Many questions!!

[trob09]

I am happy to answer any questions you have about the Santi and how I compare it to my tls...

- I got a standard cut M2M suit. I measured myself (or rather had my wife take the measurements) and sent them in. This was not my first M2M suit so I wasn't nervous about that.
- The fit is damned near perfect. I have had several people comment on that it looks like a great fitting suit - and it is.
- the flexsole boots fit great - I gave my shoe size (13) and they put on whatever size they put on. they are slightly larger than the xl flex soles on my TLS.

I hope that helps.

Hi trob09,

I'm about settled on the Santi, did you get standard cut or slim cut?
Made to measure or rack size? If its mtm did you measure yourself?
Happy with the fit?
Did you find the Flexsole boots true to size or run big?

Many questions!!

[lamont]

you can send 'third party' pockets to DUI to have them install them. mine are halcyon explorer pockets that were installed by DUI.

(oh, FLX Extreme made over a year ago now, with no leaks...)

[LiteHedded]

I am happy to answer any questions you have about the Santi and how I compare it to my tls...

- I got a standard cut M2M suit. I measured myself (or rather had my wife take the measurements) and sent them in. This was not my first M2M suit so I wasn't nervous about that.
- The fit is damned near perfect. I have had several people comment on that it looks like a great fitting suit - and it is.
- the flexsole boots fit great - I gave my shoe size (13) and they put on whatever size they put on. they are slightly larger than the xl flex soles on my TLS.

I hope that helps.

can you post pics of the santi? I dont know that i've ever seen one I would call great fitting

[trob09]

can you post pics of the santi? I dont know that i've ever seen one I would call great fitting

it will take a week or so as I am traveling on business right now but I will.

[trob09]

you can send 'third party' pockets to DUI to have them install them. mine are halcyon explorer pockets that were installed by DUI.

(oh, FLX Extreme made over a year ago now, with no leaks...)

I did the same with my TLS. I personally prefer to send them to steve Gamble or Mark Owens at Superior dive. It allows me to determine where the pockets get installed. I find that DUI puts them on too low for me.

But your point is well taken.

T

[LiteHedded]

it will take a week or so as I am traveling on business right now but I will.

thanks

I did the same with my TLS. I personally prefer to send them to steve Gamble or Mark Owens at Superior dive. It allows me to determine where the pockets get installed. I find that DUI puts them on too low for me.

But your point is well taken.

T

they put them too close to your knees