Wasted $350 on a cheap drysuit zipper repair kit

I figured I'd save a buck and bought this off-brand zipper repair kit from a dive shop in Louisiana. It failed on my second dive in 45 degree water, and I had to abort the whole job. The shop charged me another $200 to put in a legit zipper after that. Anyone else tried to cheap out on gear and learned the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

milarodriguez29d ago

Yeah, cheap drysuit repair is just throwing money away.

rivera.susan29d ago

You ever feel like you're being smart with your money only to realize you were just being cheap? I used to swear by finding the budget option for everything, including drysuit gear. But after watching that zipper pop on my second dive, shivering my way back to shore, I totally changed my mind. That little gamble cost me way more in the long run. Now I just stick with tried and true stuff, even if it stings the wallet upfront.