2021 Semi Dry Suits by Apeks Thermiq and WaterProof SD Combat 

Very nice review of the Apex and Waterproof semidry wetsuits. I have a Aqualung Solaflex 8/7 suit which appears to be very similiar in design to the Apexs TermiQ. The Aqualung Solaflex is very comfortable, but there is some impingement of shoulder movement due to the front zipper location. I also find that since there are no wrist nor ankle zippers, it is a PIA to duff. The internal neoprene dams in the ankle and forearm do work well. The internal head/neck seal does work well, although it does help to have another person slide the seal down along your back to straighten it out, if someone is available. There is some strain on my neck when donning the hood section, but once on, it is comfortable. I do dive with a full face mask most of the time. I also have a Waterproof Combat semi-dry. The main drawback here is needing an assistant to zip up the back zipper. I don't always have someone on board to do that (commercial diving...urchins). There is a way around this. I use a 36" doubled parachute cord which I temporarily attach to the zipper via swivel trigger snap, if you are very careful, with practice, you can open and close the zipper by yourself, if needed. The metal zipper on this suit is very robust and rather difficult open and close until it gets worn in. Unfortunately I recently needed to have the drysuit zipper replaced. I will warn you that on any of these suits that utilize a drysuit type of zipper (including the Apex, Aqualung, types mentioned) it is very expensive to replace, due to the cost of the zipper and the labor (and leak test)...the cost may approach the cost of a standard wetsuit, so be careful with it. At the recommendation of the repair tech, I replaced the metal unit, with a YKK Aquaseal drysuit zipper (plastic teeth). This maybe the type on the Apex and Aqualung. The end result was a much easier zipper to don and duff. Now I can use the same system and mere shoulder shrugs will open and close the zipper, very very easy. Still if someone is available to zip that is the first choice. Functionally, Waterproof's back zipper results in much less shoulder restriction compared to Aqualungs front zip design, I suspect it would be the same with the Apex design also. I personally like ankle and wrist zippers, I find the fit much better and donning/duffing is much easier. The wrist, ankle, and neck seals are very comfortable (fold the ends under to create the most effective seal). Not having an attached hood makes donning/duffing much easier. Waterproof offers vented hoods in 7mm and also 10mm (as well thinner) depending on your needs, so you can change them out if needed. For me, the Waterproof Combat semidry is absolutely the best suit that I have ever dove in. I also have Waterproof wetsuits in 3mm, 5mm, 7mm, they have proven to me that they are more durable and warmer that other suits that I have used in both recreation and work. The main disadvantage is cost, they are expensive. But give them all a go, its great that we have alot of nice choices out there today. And again Bob did a great job of comparing features of the two suits.

I bought the Bare Velocity Ultra 8/7mm Semi-Dry Wetsuit for diving in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, Washington State, Pacific Northwest. The water temperature here ranges from 45F in winter to 55F in summer. My Bare Velocity Ultra keeps me warm down to about 80 feet in winter. Beyond that in the winter, I need a 2/3mm vest underneath my wetsuit. In the summer, nothing else is needed down to 130 feet. It has a Front Zipper Entry, a Built-In Hood, and a 2mm neoprene internal pullover for the front zipper area.

I recently got the Apeks TermiQ and it is really a masterpiece!

Great product review, I love my Henderson Aqualock which paired with a hooded vest keeps me warm on 1 hour dives in 6C degree water.

I finally got mine in medium-large after a wait of several months. I've only made two dives in it so far, so these are first impressions. At least for me the hood comes on and off a whole lot easier than the Hollis Neotek V2, which is a big plus for me. The suit itself seems a bit softer than the Neotek but not as much as I expected from the Apeks sales pitch. It's very comfortable, and fits me like a glove, with just a little more room in the shoulders (read: air space under the armpits) than the Waterproof SD Combat (or the Neotek, for that matter). It truly is semidry in dives to 25m, with very little water seeping in past the leg and arm dams. The dams don't seem as thick as those on the Neotek but they've held up so far. I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be, and if the next few dives are as happy as the first two I'll ditch my Waterproof SD Combat. The only downside of the ThermiQ so far is the inexplicable addition of a rod across the bottom of the thigh pocket flaps. Or the small zippered front pocket on the flap, which is large enough to hold keys or maybe a backup EEZYCUT Trilobite line cutter. But otherwise the small zippered pockets seems superfluous. But that rod across the bottom of the flap is a real puzzler. The only thing that makes sense is that Apeks is really angry that they haven't made a dent in the sidemount market, and that they'd pay back sidemounters by letting their cylinders bang this otherwise absolutely useless annoyance into their thighs. Maybe Apeks thinks we'll just live with it, but cutting those rods out are the next thing I'm going to do if I keep this suit. If you're into sidemount and unwilling to do surgery on your new ThermiQ then this is not the suit for you.

I got the Apeks Thermiq a couple of weeks back. I got a large and its a tight fit but I think I have been a bit greedy with food and weights lately. The quality is brilliant and the dam system works really well. Even though it was a tight fit I managed to get it off easy enough. What I like about this suit is that is keeps me really warm. So much so that I think I will be selling my drysuit and using this all year round in the UK.

I like the front zipper and hood on the apeks. The making process is really cool very environmental friendly

Great comparison. Great video.

Congratulations Sir! The best and Most Accurate review I’ve ever watched.. Thank You for the informations because I’m a commercial diver and I’m on the look to replace My 7mm dive suit

I haven't found a Thermiq in my size to try on yet, but it seems very similar to the Hollis Neotek V2. That is, if it fits well you stay mostly dry, and it's comfortable in 50-60F (10-16C) water even after 45 minutes or so. The downside is getting it off. As Larry notes below, it is a two-person ordeal to pull the hood off, eliminating the advantage of a front zipper. The Thermiq might have a bit more stretch in the arms and shoulder that makes pulling the hood off easier than the Neotek but otherwise this might not be a suit you can get out of by yourself. If anyone out there has tried both the Neotek V2 and the Thermiq and can provide feedback on how they differ in that respect I'm keen to read about it. Like Larry, I have the Waterproof SD Combat and have been mostly fine with it. I'd like to say that its other features have won me over despite the back zip. Even needing help zipping up it's easier to get into and out than the Neotek/Thermiq. Others may disagree, but for me the fit of the SD Combat turns on your body shape. Waterproof cuts their suits for divers with athletic builds and slender waists, which I'm fortunately close enough to for it to work for me. But it is less forgiving for other physiques. Alas, even when carefully doubling over the seals it doesn't keep me as dry as the Neotek. As nearly as I can tell the zipper doesn't leak, but the lack of dams inside the forearms and calves increases the water incursions. It's still better than 7mm wetsuit in cool water for me, but it's not quite as dry inside as the Neotek (and Thermiq presumably is). Finally, the thigh pockets are bulky enough that they're a distraction for diving sidemount. Even empty they push the bottom of the cylinders out a bit, creating an undesirable A-frame profile when I want them tucked in snugly next to me. The other reality that no one talks about is that peeing in semi-drys changes everything, and not for the better. In a wetsuit you simply vent your collar, and since it's already wet inside it's no big deal. In a dry suit I use the pee valve. But pee valves are not options in semi-drys, such that you're peeing into a mostly dry suit. You can reduce hydration considerably before the dive to reduce the need to let loose underwater but dehydration comes with too many drawbacks for me. Thus, these suits are fine for most rec dives, but for longer sidemount or tec dives you'll smell pretty ripe and be wet when peeling out of this. A friend wears diapers inside his Neotek and that seems to make it tolerable for him but wasn't a happy solution for me.

I purchased the thermiq in large. I'm 5’7 205 pounds. The fit was too long in the legs, causing bunching in the crotch and thigh areas. Then when I put the one-piece hood on, it was so tight around the neck felt as if it was cutting off the blood flow. I tried the medium but couldn't even get it zipped. It was too tight. The fit on the apex just isn't for me. I returned it and bought an Aqualung Iceland 7mm with a detachable hood, and that brand seems to fit much better.

thank you for your video. I would like to invest in a semi-dry wetsuit that goes everywhere so that I don't have to have 3-4 different suits. I am hesitating between the two that you present. I'm a big fan of Apex. but I wanted to know if I could dive in a lake in 10 degree water. or in the Red Sea in warm waters or in waters at 20 degrees. if the apex suit does the job whatever the conditions?

I think the waterproof looks more anatomical in it’s fit. Which means really will fit well.the issue is I don’t think I possess that physique. 😎

These are the two suits everyone is recommending to me but I struggle to decide which. I do not mind paying the additional cost of the SD Combat if the price matches the value. I hope some of you kind folks will offer some answers and additional thoughts: 1) Is there a difference in warmth? And is there a difference in the amount of water that does get in (assume this is mostly dictated by proper fit)? 2. Which one is more flexible? I do not expect much flex in either considering the thickness, but which one do you feel like you have more flexibility and easier to move/bend body parts? Thanks a bunch.

Semi dry suit Question please: I have added 6 lbs of weight going from no suit to semi dry, and I'm still floating. It feels like I might have some air pockets, not sure how to get them out, or maybe I just need more weight? Greatly appreciate anyone's advice. Thanks

So you imply that the neck, wrist, and foot seals on the Waterproof Combat all should be in extended position during use instead of being folded back in the fashion of a regular drysuit with neoprene seals? I have tried the latter with the effect of permitting inflow of water but preventing excess air to escape

i think the hood of the apeks will become loose after a couple of dives

Environmentally friendly is the last thing I’m looking for

I don't know why im watching this video ... my D7X is looking at me from the closet. I feel like I got caught cheating on my girl.