I changed to drysuit diving in 1996 and have owned two Bravo neoprene back-entry drysuits. Recently I decided to change to a front entry drysuit. Oceandry convinced me to try their new Freedom drysuit. Since receiving that suit I have dived in both fresh and salt-water environments.
I am very pleased with the speed that I can don the suit – with no help from my buddy. I am a recreational dive instructor as well as a Tech/CCR dive instructor. With a front zip I am independent and no longer have to ask a wetsuit diver (often a student) to close the back-mounted zip. The Freedom suit is 3mm thick with a tough abrasion resistant outer lining.
The zip is protected with inner and outer covers. The Freedom is more flexible and requires less weight than my previous drysuits. I have the option of thinner grade undergarments, as neoprene is warmer than trilam. This is a NZ made suit that is double hand stitched and seam taped inside.
Oceandry offer all the optional extras such as hoods, shoulder or cuff dumps, neoprene or latex seals, dry gloves, pockets, fly zip, P valve and braces. To assist with donning, the body is telescopic. The braces and crotch strap automatically “set” the suit so that extra length is neatly folded away. The Oceandry Freedom drysuit is an excellent new product.
This suit is serious thermal protection for the recreational, technical and commercial diver. I recommend it.
I have been diving in Oceandry drysuits since 1999, and in 16 years of hard use and a couple of thousand dives I am still only on my second Bravo.
As a full time underwater cameraman I can be in the water day after day for hours at a time, often moving very little while waiting for a particular shot, but my Oceandry Bravo has kept me warm, dry, and functioning through long cold dives in Fiordland, South Australia & Tasmania, cage diving with Great whites in the far south and winter diving in southern lakes.
These are good solid hard-wearing drysuits, well made, warm, custom fitted and fully customizable. Best of all they are a New Zealand business with great after sales service only a phonecall away, – I don’t have to send my suit overseas for any repairs or modifications i need;…plus I am supporting NZ Made!
I’ve had my Bravo drysuit since 1996, and after one replacement zip I’m finally up for a new one. I’ve decided to try the Freedom, with the front entry zip. I have no hesitation going back to Oceandry. This is a quality NZ made product, and the durability is outstanding. I’m looking forward to getting another 20 yrs out of my new one!
I have been using my Bravo Oceandry drysuit diving on the farm in the Marlborough sounds for the past 6yrs. I have tried other dry suits but have found this suit to be robust, hard wearing and easy to use. Worn during the winter months it has provided protection against the cold water routinely reaching temperatures of 11 degrees. When replacing our teams Drysuits recently we were provided with great customer service and after purchase support from Paul and Marianne.
Oceandry Top NZ maker of drysuits I have been using them for over 20 years in commercial fantastic service.
I have been crayfish diving all year around in Oceandry Drysuits for the past 16 years in very rocky country. In that time I have had two dry suits, a Bravo and lately the Impreza and am still convinced it has been a good choice as they have had to stand up to some rough treatment.
Oceandry Top NZ maker of drysuits I have been using them for over 20 years in commercial fantastic service.
Paul and Marianne,Tonight as we look back on thirteen years in business, the pitfalls and highlights, the one feature of consistency reigns above all else, the service that is easily given, commercially relevant, quickly put through and sensibly costed, puts Oceandry and its affiliates, head and shoulders above all others .
Tonight, Linda and I want to let you know just how valuable us knowing you that we are able to get it done properly.
Thank you very much Alan and Linda – website click here
I’m tall and slender and love my all year round diving. My custom Bravo neoprene suit has transformed my diving experience after persevering for 3 years with an off-the-rack membrane suit – size L/XL needed for my height plus bulky under-garments to try and keep warm.Now I’m completely warm and dry no matter what the water temperature – the neoprene is a great insulator and I don’t need thermals just a thin layer underneath.
No more frustration struggling to vent the last of the trapped air from an over-sized suit and thermals when ascending in surgey water, and I need 40% less weight.
My Bravo suit vents air immediately, effortlessly and completely so I enjoy all of my dive.
No more regular changing of latex seals which soon stretch and need to be delicately cared for.
Paul and Marianne’s service has been exemplary – minor adjustments are no problem and I felt comfortable I was making a well-informed decision on which style of neoprene drysuit and features would be best for me.
It’s great to have access to a local business which knows our conditions and produces top quality products fit for purpose and matched perfectly to each customer.
Ann Riley
Overall new suit is a great dive.It’s a lot easier to get in & out of compared to my other one.
I’ve shed about 5kg in weight off the belt.
Love the boots. Much better than a full gumboot.
Wearing far less underneath is a great bonus.
I seem to heat up a lot less in the sun as suit insulates you from some of it.
Underwater it’s much more comfortable & freedom of movement is excellent.
Yes, a rear entry needs help but having a smooth front is better.
Suit folds up really well & a lot less bulky.
Wish I’d done this a lot earlier.
We’ve had a relationship with Oceandry since 2005. Being clients at the other end of the island, Paul has always been amenable to work in with our schedule when we come north. No request for custom neoprene products has been too much effort.
Paul and Marianne are always willing to give time and advice so we leave happy and assured. We came back to them for a second Otter drysuit when another brand kept on leaking.
People often say to me a drysuit is just too expensive or I’m not going to dive in really cold water! My response is what is your comfort worth? Why don’t you want to maximize your diving experience and truly enjoy the diving without getting cold? I have used Oceandry drysuits since the mid 1990’s; only way to go!
Thanks for bringing my old drysuit back to life! I have had a couple of dives & I am pleased to say I stayed dry & comfortable.
Thanks for the excellent service!
We changed to Tuffies waders in 2012 (2 ½ years ago) and haven’t regretted this for a moment. Our waders are comfortable, durable and locally made.We farm oysters in 3 regions of the North Island and over our sites the substrate differs from soft mud to hard rock all with differing amounts of sharp oyster shell on the bottom. The oysters we farm sit at between knee and waist level. This is a tough environment that used to shred a pair of waders in 6 – 12 months. Our Tuffies waders are lasting anywhere up to 18 months and longer with a new pair of boots.
Along with the better wear the service we get is top notch. We are able to get custom made waders and add personal modifications with a phone call. A wide range of options from boots to pockets and Kevlar protection are available and our guys have used a combination of them all.
We’re stoked with the Tuffies waders and definitely recommend them.
Thank you for your great customer service and reliable products. Your custom Tuffies waders continue to hold up to the harsh oyster farming environment and fit and function very well. The waders are exposed daily to nature’s razor blades (the oyster) and continue to be tough and reliable.
Oceandry did a great job on custom making my waders. They fit perfectly and the custom alterations I asked for were not a problem. I found the whole process quick and easy.