Starless_River
Member
Are you in the market for a new undersuit? We have a range of options from lightweight breathable suits for dry expedition caving to neoprene suits for the longest coldest wettest dales trips…
AV Illamina- The OG
Best for: cool to cold, moderately wet trips.
Highlights: Warm, flexible, quick draining, knee pockets for additional knee pads.
Negatives: Too warm for some, no hood or pockets
AV Arphidia- The standard
Best for: warm to cool, potentially wet trips.
Highlights: Lighter material than illamina allows for more flexibility and faster draining, thick heavy-duty zip, more padding on knees and pockets for additional knee pads
Negatives: May be too cool, no hood or pockets
NB that we are looking to discontinue this version of the Arphidia, to replace it with the Arbas. So when these Arphidia are gone, they’re gone!
AV Arbas- The new Arphidia
Very similar to the Arphidia but with a rainbow zip (around the top of bum – like a rainbow!) as well as a front zip.
Best for: warmer cavers, or warmer trips (if you anticipate a lot of waiting around then you will need to think about adding layers).
Highlights: relatively low bulk of the material facilitates fast draining and extra flexibility, rainbow zip allowing those who squat to pee to do so without stripping off, extra knee padding and pockets for additional knee pads.
Negatives: May be too cool, no hood or pockets
MTDE Cotero- The all-rounder
This is a very useful and good value medium-weight suit for clubs and anyone starting out in caving.
Best for: warm to cool, fairly dry trips
Highlights: Good value for money, all way round zip, hip and chest pockets, Nylon reinforcements on elbows and knees
Negatives: May not be warm or close-fitting enough for some, does not drain as well as AVs
Alp X-pile- The warm one
Best for: cold to very cold, moderately wet trips
Highlights: Warmest option, high collar, close fitting cuffs
Negatives: May be too warm, only two way stretch fabric, no hood or pockets
MTDE Butron- The lightweight one
Best for: warm or high energy trips, layering, a great base layer for underground camping
Highlights: Very lightweight and flexible. Quick draining, padding at knees and elbows, all the way round zip, hood, zipped chest pocket
Negatives: Too lightweight?
Warmbac Neofleece- The wet one
Basically, a thin (3mm) wetsuit to just above the knee and elbow joints, with fleece lower arms and legs.
Best for: very wet trips
Highlights: flexible despite neoprene, heavy duty zip, sewn in neoprene knee and elbow pads
Negatives: Not suitable for dry trips
AV Illamina- The OG
Best for: cool to cold, moderately wet trips.
Highlights: Warm, flexible, quick draining, knee pockets for additional knee pads.
Negatives: Too warm for some, no hood or pockets
AV Arphidia- The standard
Best for: warm to cool, potentially wet trips.
Highlights: Lighter material than illamina allows for more flexibility and faster draining, thick heavy-duty zip, more padding on knees and pockets for additional knee pads
Negatives: May be too cool, no hood or pockets
NB that we are looking to discontinue this version of the Arphidia, to replace it with the Arbas. So when these Arphidia are gone, they’re gone!
AV Arbas- The new Arphidia
Very similar to the Arphidia but with a rainbow zip (around the top of bum – like a rainbow!) as well as a front zip.
Best for: warmer cavers, or warmer trips (if you anticipate a lot of waiting around then you will need to think about adding layers).
Highlights: relatively low bulk of the material facilitates fast draining and extra flexibility, rainbow zip allowing those who squat to pee to do so without stripping off, extra knee padding and pockets for additional knee pads.
Negatives: May be too cool, no hood or pockets
MTDE Cotero- The all-rounder
This is a very useful and good value medium-weight suit for clubs and anyone starting out in caving.
Best for: warm to cool, fairly dry trips
Highlights: Good value for money, all way round zip, hip and chest pockets, Nylon reinforcements on elbows and knees
Negatives: May not be warm or close-fitting enough for some, does not drain as well as AVs
Alp X-pile- The warm one
Best for: cold to very cold, moderately wet trips
Highlights: Warmest option, high collar, close fitting cuffs
Negatives: May be too warm, only two way stretch fabric, no hood or pockets
MTDE Butron- The lightweight one
Best for: warm or high energy trips, layering, a great base layer for underground camping
Highlights: Very lightweight and flexible. Quick draining, padding at knees and elbows, all the way round zip, hood, zipped chest pocket
Negatives: Too lightweight?
Warmbac Neofleece- The wet one
Basically, a thin (3mm) wetsuit to just above the knee and elbow joints, with fleece lower arms and legs.
Best for: very wet trips
Highlights: flexible despite neoprene, heavy duty zip, sewn in neoprene knee and elbow pads
Negatives: Not suitable for dry trips
