When I started drysuit diving in 2022, I walked into dive shops and everything looked like it was made for someone twice my size — and priced like it too. Made-to-measure drysuits from UK manufacturers turned out to be the answer I hadn’t thought to look for. I’ve since ordered two: a Seaskin Nova and an O’Three 90Ninety Hybrid. Here’s the full ordering process, from first inquiry to suit on your doorstep, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
At A Glance
| Seaskin Nova | O’Three 90Ninety Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Trilaminate | Rip-stop trilaminate |
| Ordering style | Self-serve online | Consultation-first |
| Measurements required | 16/17 | 26/28 + photos |
| Lead time | 8–10 weeks | ~6 weeks |
| Current comparable spec price (excl. shipping/VAT) | £1,185 | £2,325 |
| What I paid landed (USD) | ~$1,000 (2022) | ~$3,000 (2025) |
| Good for | Budget-conscious, self-directed buyers | Divers who want a supported process |
Why Made-to-Measure, and Why UK?
As a petite diver just starting out in drysuits, off-the-shelf sizing was a problem. Everything I tried on at local dive shops was oversized, and the prices started around $3000 USD for name brands. During research, I found a massive thread on Scubaboard —420 pages and counting — documenting divers’ experiences ordering made-to-measure trilaminate drysuits from UK brand Seaskin. The price was around $1,000 USD landed. Made-to-measure sounded like it would fit better than stock sizing. We ordered one each.
>> Read more: whether a drysuit is worth buying before deciding which one on “Shivering is Optional: Diving in Wetsuit or Drysuit in the PNW“
Three years later, after getting full cave certified and logging a lot of PNW dives, I had a much clearer picture of what I actually needed in a drysuit. On a liveaboard trip to Socorro, one of the guides (a tech instructor) was diving an O’Three. The mobility and fit were noticeable. After comparing O’Three against Santi and a few other brands, we went made-to-measure again in 2025.
UK brands dominate the made-to-measure drysuit space. The cold-water diving culture and naval history there created a strong independent drysuit industry that doesn’t really exist in the US. The brands I’m aware of in the independent/specialist category are Seaskin, O’Three, and Otter. This post covers Seaskin and O’Three specifically since those are the two I’ve ordered.
Quick note on scope: This post is about the ordering process only.
>> Up Next: For the actual suit comparison, how both suits actually perform in the water, side by side — Seaskin vs. O’Three owner review after 100+ dives.
The Two Brands
Seaskin is a budget-friendly made-to-measure brand based in the UK. Their flagship trilaminate is the Nova. Fully online ordering, high customizability, minimal hand-holding. Good entry point if you’re willing to do your own research.
O’Three is a premium UK drysuit brand. Their trilaminate model is the 90Ninety, with three choices of fabric toughness/enforcement. More consultation-forward ordering process, less customization needed because the base spec is already strong.
Both have been making drysuits for a long time and have solid reputations in the UK technical and recreational diving community.
>> Read more: Seaskin official website
>> Read moe: O’Three official website
The Measurement Process
This is where the two brands differ most noticeably.
| Seaskin | O’Three | |
|---|---|---|
| How to order | Fully online | Email/phone consultation, then quote/confirmation |
| Number of measurements | 16 (male) / 17 (female) + sex + shoe size | 26 (male) / 28 (female) + sex + weight + shoe size |
| Measurement guidance | Instructional video | Detailed form with graphics; optional video consultation |
| Side/front photos required | No | Yes |
| Consultation style | Self-serve; contact optional | Default consultation before order |
| Customization | Extensive; all options online | Fewer options; premium features come standard |
Seaskin’s process is designed to be self-serve. You watch their measurement instruction video, fill out the form, choose your options on the website, and buy. You can reach out with questions, but based on Scubaboard accounts, response rates vary. The upside is speed and flexibility — everything is configurable if you know what you want.
O’Three starts with a conversation. We emailed first, then scheduled a phone call to go over questions and options. They were easy to work with on time zones and offered multiple scheduling options. Their Home Fitting Service is also available for anyone who wants guided measurements over video call. Because the base spec is already well-equipped (quick-change neck seal and dry gloves come standard), there are fewer decisions to make. That said, they do ask for more measurements and photos, which reflects the more detailed approach.
measurements needed for each brandOne thing O’Three did that Seaskin didn’t: pushed back on one of my choices. I asked for the largest thigh pocket. They came back and said that given my measurements, the largest pocket would likely be uncomfortable because my thighs are short, and recommended the medium instead. That kind of input is useful and not something you’d get from a self-serve form.
Pro Tip
Before finalizing measurements with either brand, tell them explicitly what kind of diving you’re planning and what undergarments you intend to wear. This was the mistake I made with the Seaskin — I sized without accounting for cold water undergarments, and the suit is snug enough that it limits layering. They may or may not ask you this question unprompted. You have to bring it up.
More on this in the “What I’d Do Differently” section below.
Communication and Lead Time
| Seaskin | O’Three | |
|---|---|---|
| Communication style | Minimal, transactional | Thorough, responsive |
| Responsiveness | Gets the job done | Quick across time zones |
| Lead time (our experience) | ~8 weeks (over Christmas/New Year) | ~6 weeks (early 2025) |
| Current lead time (May 2026) | 9–10 weeks per website* | 6 weeks for us in 2025. Check with manufacture |
| Price point | Budget | Premium |
Seaskin operates on a “bare bones, no surprises” model. Once the order is in, you get updates when relevant and the suit arrives on schedule. That’s all you need, and that’s what you get.
O’Three communicates more. They kept us informed throughout production without being excessive about it. If you have questions mid-process, they’re reachable.
Both delivered roughly on time. Neither left us chasing updates.
Total Cost to the US
Shipping
Both brands shipped via FedEx. FedEx handles customs clearance and will send you a bill for any import duties before releasing the package. There are no surprises if you know it’s coming — the bill arrives separately from the shipment notification.
Note on combined shipping: Both brands can combine items into one shipment. Seaskin specifically asks you to place separate orders and then contact them to arrange a combined shipping quote.
Custom/Tarrifs
Scuba equipment generally falls into a lower duty category than clothing or general apparel. The HTS code your manufacturer uses matters.
| Our Order specifically | Seaskin | O’Three |
|---|---|---|
| HTS code used | 9506.29.0040 (Other water-sport equipment) | 4015.90 (Other rubber apparel) |
| Tariff rate | 0% | 4% |
Tariff rates are subject to change and depend on both the goods category and country of origin/import. Before ordering, ask your manufacturer for the HTS code they use and the country where the suit is manufactured. Look up the current rate yourself so there are no surprises when FedEx sends the bill. Also the rules of tariffs change frequently, be sure to check the most recent updates.
Buying Undergarments as well?
Undergarments are categorized as Apprael – one of the highest tarrif items to import (14% last I checked)!
Think twice and triple calculate before including undergarments into your order.
Total cost breakdown
| price below excl. shipping/VAT/Customs | Seaskin Nova | O’Three 90Ninety Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Current base price | £627 | N/A — base spec already premium |
| Comparable spec price include: quick-change neck, thick undergarment, p-valve, Kubi dry gloves, telescopic torso, 2 expedition size pockets | £1,185 | £2,325 |
Prices have likely shifted since our orders. Always check current pricing directly with each brand and factor in exchange rates, shipping, and duties before comparing.
What Arrives
Both arrive in cardboard boxes.
Both include the basics: seals, manual, chalk, and beeswax, along with the drysuits. O’Three also includes zip-slip (live saver for metal zipper maintenance!), Jollop seal sip, spare Kubi dry glove components, glove liners, and a 5mm hood. Seaskin’s full inclusion list is documentedon their website.
Seaskin‘s standard bag is a simple drawstring bag. We upgraded to a zipped drysuit bag doubles as Change Mat. Functional, packable, easy.
O’Three’s standard drysuit bag is a solidly constructed branded duffel bag, with an additional changing mat included. The duffel is substantial and doubles as a gear bag at the dive site.
One detail from the labels: the Seaskin tag reads “SIZE xxx 2” with a serial number, which reflects a true made-to-measure build. The O’Three label shows a standard size designation, reflecting their model of tailoring from a base pattern. In practice the fit is comparable, with minor flaw at different places, but it’s a visible reminder of the different approaches.
Labels for both drysuits: Seaskin on the left and O'Three on the rightWhat I’d Do Differently
Seaskin was my first drysuit. There were things I didn’t know to ask for.
For Seaskin order:
What I got wrong:
- Dump valve position. Put it at DIR position. I don’t know why this isn’t the default, but make sure to choose it.
- Thigh pocket size. The default pockets are small. A 5-ft SMB fills one completely. Get the biggest size available.
- Size for undergarments. This is the big one. I ordered without thinking about how thick my cold water undergarment stack would be. The suit fits fine for light layers, but it’s too snug for serious cold water diving in Puget Sound. Ask the manufacturer explicitly what you’ll be wearing underneath, and size with that in mind. Seaskin does have a thicker undergarment upgrade but hard to tell what inches mean in that sense. O’Three did discuss this question during initial consultation but maybe because it was a big item in our mind
Seaskin leaves almost no room after putting on Fourth Element Halo undergarments (and I wore shorts and t-shirt underneath!)What I got right:
- Sitech quick-change neck seal. Yes, get this. Makes seal swaps straightforward.
- Sitech oval cuff rings. If you’re planning to run a Rolock dry glove system, oval cuff rings are the right choice. See the [dry gloves post — link placeholder] for the full breakdown.
>>Read more: how the wrist seal choice at order time affects your dry glove options on “Kubi vs. Rolock 90: A Dry Glove Ring System Comparison for Cold Water Divers“
For the O’Three order:
- Read the spec confirmation carefully before approving. For example: I should have noticed that my Kubi ring size was listed as 70mm and K’s is 80mm to ask more questions. Ask your manufacturer to explain any sizing choice you don’t recognize. Another is that K’s neck seal is deemed as the same size as mine, which is slightly small, but trimming easily fixes it.
- If you’re going to cold water dive seriously, ask about the 7mm hood upgrade. We defaulted to the included 5mm. We ended up ordering 7mm hoods separately since we like the materials and fit and would like to upgrade the warmth.
Who Should Consider Each Brand
Seaskin is the right starting point if you’re newer to drysuit diving, working with a tighter budget, and willing to do your homework on options and configurations. The Scubaboard thread is your resource. Read it before you order.
O’Three is the right choice if you have the budget, want a more supported buying experience, and want a suit built with a more durable ripstop trilaminate from the start.
Neither may be right if you want to try on before committing, or need local support during and after the purchase. That said, drysuits require minimal servicing beyond seal replacements, which any competent dive shop can handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a Seaskin or O’Three drysuit from the US?
Yes. Both brands ship internationally via FedEx. Budget for import duties on top of the suit and shipping cost.
How do made-to-measure drysuit measurements work if I can’t go in person?
Both brands provide measurement guides (video for Seaskin, detailed form with graphics for O’Three). O’Three also offers a remote fitting service where you take measurements over video call with their team. Accept that fit may still require minor adjustments, and when in doubt, size slightly larger.
What are the import duties for a UK drysuit shipped to the US?
It depends on the HTS code the manufacturer uses and the current tariff rates, which varies by countries of origin and countires of import. Our Seaskin was classified at 0% and our O’Three at 4%. Ask your manufacturer for the HTS code and country of origin before ordering so you can look up the current rate.
How long does it take to receive a made-to-measure drysuit from the UK?
Six to ten weeks depending on the brand and their current production queue. Check each brand’s website or contact them for current lead times before ordering.
Do I need to account for undergarments when measuring for a drysuit?
Yes. Think through every type of diving you plan to do and size for the bulkiest undergarment setup you’ll use. This is the most common first-drysuit sizing mistake, and neither brand will ask you about it unprompted.
Is a made-to-measure drysuit more expensive than off-the-shelf?
No necessarily. Seaskin’s landed cost for a US buyer is lower than many off-the-shelf options from major brands. O’Three is a premium price point but still comparable with brand-name off-the-shelf suits.
About Pan — Full Cave and Advanced Recreational Trimix diver based in the Pacific Northwest. I started diving without knowing how to swim; now I drive three hours each way to dive in Puget Sound/Hood Canal. Two Ocean Notes documents the technical progression, gear decisions, and travel planning behind this dive life — from a petite engineer’s perspective, without the fluff. → Read my full story
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Editorial disclaimer
Please be aware that scuba diving is an inherently risky activity, even with certification and experience. The content on this blog reflects my personal opinions and experiences and should not be considered instructional. Always prioritize safety, seek guidance and certification from qualified diving professionals, and carefully consider the risks involved in any dives.
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