Argonaut Drysuit FAQs

Stealth: Allowing exceptional mobility and durability, the rip-stop nylon outer layers protect a butyl-rubber core in this trilaminate material to create a highly flexible, yet strong fabric. Select this option for maximum mobility, and minimum bulk and weight.

Flex: A hard-wearing, tried and tested fabric with a butyl-rubber core and polyester faces that retains some stretch. This is the choice of fabric of military and professional divers all over the world. Select this option for a super-durable suit.

Stealth Hybrid: The two fabrics can be combined to form our ‘Stealth Hybrid’ suit with the lightweight mobility of the stealth fabric on the torso and arms, combined with the ultimate durability of the Flex fabric on the legs.

Hard-wearing and inexpensive, latex seals are a popular choice for recreational and technical divers alike.

Our 3mm neoprene wrist seals are considered by some divers to be more comfortable than latex seals and stand up to abrasion well.

The Ellipse wrist system uses silicone seals and provides an easy solution for dry gloves. Designed by fourth element and manufactured by Si-Tech, the seals can be easily swapped out enabling quick repairs. If you wish to wear drygloves, please select the ‘Ellipse Dryglove Attachment’ option.

Machined from anodised aluminium to protect against corrosion, this premium dry glove system is designed to work with the Si-Tech PU suit ring to allow a quick and easy change of silicone wrist seals. The glove-to-suit sealing o-ring seals confidently with little effort thanks to a user-friendly colour-coded bayonet lock.

The Si-Tech QCP XL (Quick Cuff Platform) is only recommend for divers with large hands, who may struggle to get their hands through the oval ring of the Ellipse system. Using larger, round rings, the Si-Tech QCP XL system also has the benefit of easily replaceable silicone seals.

The Standard Dry-boot is the more rigid and heavyweight of the two dry-boot options. It is well suited for shore-entry dives or for when terrain is rough.

The Tech Dry-boot has less vulcanised rubber, making it lighter-weight and more flexible and is particularly popular with divers likely to be performing more complex finning. Alternatively, you can opt for our 2.5mm compressed neoprene socks which allows you to wear your own choice of boot on top.

If choosing compress neoprene socks please check the sock size chart carefully. The compressed neoprene socks will allow a thin thermal sock underneath (such as a Xerotherm sock). If you are between sizes, or plan on wearing thicker thermal socks, we recommend sizing up.

This depends on the sort of diving you will be doing. Our undersuits cover all sorts of diving from tropical waters to sub-zero climates. The Argonaut drysuit is sized to allow the wearer to wear a Halo AR undersuit with a baselayer such as the J2 or Drybase.

IMPORTANT: If you are planning on wearing significantly more or less than this, please let us know so we can take your layers in to consideration.

Order received - We have received your order and are just making a few final checks to make sure we have all the information we need before your suit goes in to production.

Deposit Requested - We will require a deposit before we send you the BIOMAP footplate and kit. This is 25% of the overall cost of your suit as specified.

BIOMAP footplate sent - We have received your deposit and the BIOMAP footplate is on its way to you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions once you receive the footplate.

Photos Checked and Approved - We have received, checked and approved your BIOMAP photos for sizing.

In production - Your suit is being made! This step takes the longest, so please be patient. Each suit is cut, sewn and constructed to order, so sit tight, it’s under way.

Quality Control - This is where we carefully check over each and every suit to ensure it meets our high standards. Components are checked thoroughly and various goodies are added.

Completed QC, awaiting dispatch - This means that your suit has completed our QC checks and is ready to be sent out. Please contact your local dive shop / selected Argonaut dealer to arrange delivery of your suit – we will send your Argonaut to that dive shop.

Awaiting Final Payment - Your suit is ready to be sent. We now require the remaining payment for your suit (if not already received) before we can send you your new Argonaut drysuit.

Dispatched - Your Argonaut is on its way to your dealer/dive shop! You can expect to hear from them very soon.

Cancelled - This means that your order has been stopped and will not be produced. If you think this is an error or a mistake, please contact us as soon as possible, quoting your DS-WEB reference number. Further Action Required - We need some more information before we can proceed. It might be that we need new BIOMAP photos, or want to double check your height. In this instance, you should contact your dive shop for more information.

Returns request placed - We have received your returns request. We aim to respond to you with within 3 working days. Please wait to hear from us – we’ll be in touch to advise the next step.

Returns request accepted - We have reviewed your returns request and will contact you shortly to tell you where to send the drysuit, and what we’ll do to get your suit fixed.

Return Received - We’ve received your Argonaut return – this is for your piece of mind and assurance your suit hasn’t got lost on its way to us.

Suit sent for repair - You suit is currently undergoing repair works. Wherever possible we will provide you with as much information as possible regarding your drysuit return, such as where the repair works are taking place and how long it will be.

Suit back from repair - Your suit is back with fourth element. We visually inspect every return to ensure the repair works are up to scratch. We’ll be in contact with you to arrange getting the suit back to you, at a time most suitable for you.

Dispatched - Your repaired suit is on its way back to you. Wherever possible we will provide you with tracking information.

The drysuit should be washed in clean, cold water after each dive. Mud and dirt can be cleaned off using a non-abrasive sponge and gentle soap and hung to air dry. It is best to keep the suit out of direct sunlight whenever possible. The zip should also be carefully cleaned after each dive to ensure there is no sand or dirt that could get trapped in the teeth. Zip lube should be applied at least every 5 dives to keep the zip running smoothly. Never put your suit in the washing machine.

Important: If you have used the Argonaut drysuit in a swimming pool or exposed it to chlorine it is vital that the YKK Aquaseal zip and surrounding area is cleaned thoroughly after use. Please take care to ensure all parts of the zip are well rinsed, as any chlorine residue may degrade the zip. It is good practice to take extra time and care to clean the drysuit after any exposure to chlorine.

For more information you can download the Argonaut handbook here.

We offer a limited lifetime warranty on the workmanship and construction on the Argonaut drysuit. We give a guarantee against manufacturing defects on the fabric and seams retaining their waterproof integrity. We treat each on a case-by-case basis and take in to consideration how the suit has been maintained and cared-for. Damage to the suit or seams caused by abrasion (from diving environment or SCUBA gear) is not covered under warranty.

Some components of the suit are vulnerable to wear and tear, and accidental damage is not covered under warranty. We reserve the right to refuse any warranty claims if the damage has been caused by carelessness or misuse.

Seals: Silicone, latex, and neoprene seals have six months warranty for manufacturing defects. Accidental damage is not covered under warranty.

Valves: We offer 12 months warranty on the valves of the suit (inflate, exhaust and p-valves).

Zipper: We use YKK Aquaseal zippers and offer 12 months warranty to cover any manufacturing defects. This warranty does not cover accidental damage. With care and maintenance, the YKK Aquaseal zipper should last several years. Fourth Element offers guidance on the best way to look after your zip.

Boots and compressed neoprene socks: We offer 12 months warranty against manufacturing defects covering the normal expected use of the drysuit. This excludes neoprene socks if they have been punctured when wearing without protective footwear.