Anyone using a 'floating hide' with a dry suit?

Vintage Racer · 21 Mar 2021

I am just finishing the build of my floating hide and need to buy a dry suit to make using it more comfortable. - I have used waders in the past, but find them a 'compromise', especially in deeper water.

Does anyone use a similar set-up, who could recommend a dry suit at sensible money?

I don't really want to break the bank, but am concerned that the cheaper suits, may not be 'up to the job'......especially, when spending a lot of time in the kneeling position on the bottom of lake beds.

Cheers
Glynn

Box Brownie · 21 Mar 2021

I wonder if you have seen this post/thread

Prototype Floating Hide Design

This is a rough drawing and price estimate for my prototype floating hide. I know it's missing a few things like support rods for a camo cover and the cover itself, but I plan on just using my DIY "bag hide" rather than make another cover. The rods/sockets will be sorted after rough...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

The links that @sk66 posted seem to show usage of chest waders on one and not clear (whether waders or dry suit) on the other one.

Whatever you choose I will look forward to seeing the images

pooley · 21 Mar 2021

Hi Glynn,

I have a floating hide, albeit I've not used it in quite a while. Regarding a drysuit, it's far better than waders - the whole point of the floating hide is to be down at the water level, so unless you use a tilting rear LCD you have to get your head close to the water and chest waders are useless there.

I can't recommend a particular suit, but as a guide, you'll be better off with a membrane suit as opposed to a neoprene one. Look for one with 'boots' attached rather than' socks' as that'll be better for grip and avoid an extra purchase later down the line.

Apart from that if you buy 2nd hand check the wrist and neck seals are in good condition, as are the zips. Chest zips will be far easier for you to get in and out of than rear zips if you're on your own

Floating hides are great fun and give great results - just be ready for some very strange looks and comments from passing members of the public!

Mike

Vintage Racer · 21 Mar 2021

Box Brownie said:
I wonder if you have seen this post/thread

Prototype Floating Hide Design

This is a rough drawing and price estimate for my prototype floating hide. I know it's missing a few things like support rods for a camo cover and the cover itself, but I plan on just using my DIY "bag hide" rather than make another cover. The rods/sockets will be sorted after rough...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

The links that @sk66 posted seem to show usage of chest waders on one and not clear (whether waders or dry suit) on the other one.

Whatever you choose I will look forward to seeing the images

I had not seen that, but wonder if he finished building it? - I'll 'pm' him to find out.

Mine is made from 6" diameter plastic drainage pipe (U-Shaped), with a shaped marine ply front end cover, to mount my gimbal on with grab handles etc. - Roof rods which support the camo net, are easily removable and weight is around 9 kilos, so it will easily lift, and fit on my cars roof bars.

Total cost is around €200.00 (I live in France), so substantially cheaper than the 'Tragopan' version, which looks great but expensive (around €1,000.00) or 'MrJangear' version, which is very 'heath robinson' and costs €850.00!

In deeper water, I find that it is easy to get ingress of water into waders, so definitely need a dry suit, from both the comfort and safety point of view. - I'm thinking maybe a better quality second-hand dry suit, would be better than a cheaper new one, but difficult to find one in the right size!

Hoping to 'launch' it in the coming weeks, so will post some images in the next month, or so.

sk66 · 21 Mar 2021

Dry suits are expensive and fussy; but definitely better than waders. Personally, I use a wetsuit or just go swimming. And don't expect to be "dry" after using a dry suit...
You know how you wind up damp/wet when wearing a really good rainproof jacket/suit?... it's like that. And if you are needing to stay warm as well (it's winter here); you'll want to wear wool or similar inside the suit.

Seals are typically cut-to-fit; so you don't want a used suit that was used by someone bigger than you.

artyman · 21 Mar 2021

Condensation in a drysuit will make you 'damp' inevitable when surrounded by cold water, though less active than when sailing it cannot be avoided, however it's preferable to cold water/. I have a Typhoon Drystyle suit up in my loft, which I no longer use, would fit someone from 5'8" to say 6', So as they say in the film make me an offer I can't refuse

Vintage Racer · 22 Mar 2021

artyman said:
Condensation in a drysuit will make you 'damp' inevitable when surrounded by cold water, though less active than when sailing it cannot be avoided, however it's preferable to cold water/. I have a Typhoon Drystyle suit up in my loft, which I no longer use, would fit someone from 5'8" to say 6', So as they say in the film make me an offer I can't refuse

Cheers Ken.............sadly, I am 6' 1" and 46 chest, so sounding doubtful. - I also need size 11 boots, so looks like it might be a new one that is required. - Water temps here in the local lakes (S W France), are around 3-5 degrees at the moment, so a wetsuit is out of the question!

Diving Pete · 22 Mar 2021

For cheapest you can get a sailing style type drysuit, buy it slightly loose so you can layer up under it. - these are membrane.
If you are spending a significant amount of time in the water in very low temps you can also use heated clothing. You WILL probably also need a weight belt to hold you in the water.

2nd diving drysuits can be got all the time, all you care about to be in good condition is the neck, wrist, (foot seals) & the zip. I have cave dived nr Gramat (Toulouse) for about 6 years... its cold lol

boyfalldown · 22 Mar 2021

Vintage Racer said:
Does anyone use a similar set-up, who could recommend a dry suit at sensible money?

Membrane rather than Neoprene, but unless you're only planning on using it on very hot days only then budget for an undercut. Two main sorts of dry suit are sold. Those for surface sports (such as sailing) and those for immersion sports like diving. The diving ones tend to be heavier duty but this might be overkill. Check neck and wrist seals for condition and they should have built in boots so you'll need to take shoe size into consideration too

ScottT · 22 Mar 2021

I might be missing the point here, but wouldnt a small inflatable boat with camo netting over it be a better (cheaper) and easier option?

Vintage Racer · 22 Mar 2021

ScottT said:
I might be missing the point here, but wouldnt a small inflatable boat with camo netting over it be a better (cheaper) and easier option?

It is a compromise, but would not get the lens low enough to get the 'aspect' required. It would also be a lot bigger to transport and more likely to spook the wildlife. - Most purpose built floating hides are less than 1 mtr wide, just over 1 mtr long with a height of around 50 cm.

FishCann · 24 Mar 2021

I've gone through many drysuits over the years for both diving, (commercial and pleasure) and above water work and now have a particular favourite style of entry and material for the work I do now. A good drysuit will keep you dry even after hours in the water but in order to keep the cold at bay you'll need a thermal undersuit or 'woolybear'. These are relatively cheap and can make the world of difference making even ice diving tolerable, that and a pair of neoprene gloves!
You can pay many hundreds of pounds for some suits but for what you're after if you wanted new you could look at the Typhoon range as they are good value and they do them for above surface work so don't have all the valves etc that divers require. Second hand you can find some bargains still, especially if they have been looked after. As others have mentioned earlier the seals, (cuffs and neck) tend to need replacing after a while but these aren't too expensive. Get the ones with attached boots as well rather than the socks if you can.