DUI — Diving Unlimited International — Handcrafted in San Diego Since 1963
Diving Unlimited International was founded in 1963 by Dick Long in San Diego, California, at a time when cold water diving meant tolerating the cold, not solving it. Long started as a retail dive store making custom wetsuits, working from the frustration of a diver who couldn't find gear that actually kept him warm. That problem-solving instinct has driven the company for over sixty years.
The pivotal turn came in the early 1970s. DUI invented the hot water suit for saturation diving — a heating system for commercial divers working in deep, cold ocean environments that would kill a wetsuit diver in minutes. That invention required understanding thermal physiology, materials engineering, and the specific demands of professional underwater work at a level no recreational gear manufacturer had approached. When the offshore oil industry contracted in the late 1970s, DUI applied that expertise to drysuits for recreational and technical divers — and changed what cold water diving could look like for everyone.
Today, approximately 60,000 DUI drysuits are in active use worldwide. The suits are still handcrafted in San Diego. DUI employs over 70 people averaging 13 years of tenure — a remarkable retention figure that reflects a workforce of craftspeople who understand their product. DUI serves recreational divers, technical divers, the US military, US Coast Guard, and public safety dive teams. Every DUI drysuit is still made in the USA.
At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the full current DUI lineup as an authorized dealer: trilaminate drysuits, neoprene drysuits, compressed neoprene drysuits, public safety drysuits, and the full ZipSeal accessories range.
DUI's Defining Technologies
ZipSeals™ — Patented Field-Replaceable Seals
This is the innovation that changed drysuit ownership. Before ZipSeals, a torn neck or wrist seal could end a dive trip — the seal had to be glued and cured by a technician, a process that takes hours and requires the right materials. DUI's patented ZipSeal system allows a diver to replace a torn neck or wrist seal in minutes, without tools, without adhesives, and without technical skills. The seal zips in and zips out. Carry spares in your save-a-dive kit and you'll never lose a dive day to seal failure again.
ZipSeals are available in multiple configurations: standard latex, heavy-duty latex, and silicone for wrist seals; latex and silicone for neck seals; and neck/hood combos that include an attached latex hood. The G1 and G2 designations refer to seal generations — G2 is the more recent design. All are sold separately as replacements and are standard on every new DUI drysuit.
Crushed Neoprene — DUI's Exclusive Process
Only DUI has perfected the crushed neoprene process. Standard neoprene and compressed neoprene still contain intact gas bubbles — these bubbles compress as you dive deeper, changing the suit's buoyancy and insulation characteristics. DUI's process takes 3mm neoprene and puts it through a rigorous refinement process that allows the material to off-gas completely and crush to approximately 1mm. The result is an extremely dense, elastic material with no intact bubbles — meaning its buoyancy and insulation remain stable at any depth. Crushed neoprene also has exceptional abrasion and puncture resistance, making it the choice of wreck divers, commercial divers, and anyone who puts their suit through hard use. The CF200X is built on this material. DUI suits built from crushed neoprene have remained in service for over 20 years.
FreedomForm™ Technology
FreedomForm is DUI's design approach to achieving unrestricted range of motion in a trilaminate drysuit. Traditional trilaminate suits are cut to provide material where it's needed — but this often creates resistance to movement when the fabric tensions across shoulders, knees, and elbows. FreedomForm uses a distinctive inlay design that provides pre-formed shaping in the directions that matter most for diving movement, combined with the new nylon/butyl rubber/polyester trilaminate material. The result is a trilaminate suit that moves more naturally through the dive than traditional flat-cut construction.
RockBoots™ and Boot Evolution
DUI was the first manufacturer to develop a drysuit boot focused specifically on durability, support, and traction. The RockBoot line — which has gone through multiple generations from TurboBoots in the 1970s through UltraFlex Boots today — is standard on all current DUI drysuits and represents decades of refinement for divers who enter and exit on rocky shores, boat ladders, and rough surfaces.
The DUI Drysuit Range
CF200X — The Legend
The CF200X is DUI's flagship and their most durable suit. Built from DUI's exclusive crushed neoprene, it provides inherent thermal insulation (unlike trilaminate suits that require a separate undergarment), stable buoyancy at all depths (no bubbles to compress), and exceptional abrasion and puncture resistance. The choice for wreck divers, commercial divers, cave divers who push into tight passages, and anyone who wants a suit that will outlast everything else they own. US Coast Guard rescue swimmers used it. Technical divers have kept individual CF200X suits in service for over two decades. Available for men and women; Made-to-Measure available.
TLS350 — The Versatile Trilaminate
The TLS350 uses a nylon/butyl rubber/nylon trilaminate construction that is lightweight, fast-drying, and packable — the US Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmers chose it as their primary suit. Its versatility is remarkable: by varying the undergarment system, the TLS350 can be used in warm Florida springs and ice-covered Antarctic waters in the same suit. The TLS350 is the choice for underwater photographers (who need mobility and clean lines), deep cave explorers (who need reliability and packability for expeditions), and professional divers who need a suit that adapts to varied conditions. Now available with 2 leg pockets included as standard for 2026. Available for men and women; Made-to-Measure available.
FLX Extreme — Technical Trilaminate
The FLX Extreme uses a polyester/butyl rubber trilaminate with DUI's FreedomForm design for maximum flexibility in a technical diving configuration. The preferred suit for advanced technical divers who need unrestricted movement for equipment management, valve drills, and overhead environment navigation. An exceptionally well-regarded suit in the technical diving community. Available for men and women.
CLX450 — "The Tuxedo of Drysuits"
The CLX450 uses a distinctive split construction: Cordura/butyl rubber/polyester trilaminate on the upper body for rugged abrasion resistance (the choice of Army Combat Divers and Navy EOD), and polyester trilaminate on the lower body for freedom of movement while swimming. This combination makes the CLX450 the preferred suit for wreck divers and hunters who need to handle abrasive surfaces topside while maintaining swimming comfort underwater. Available for men and women; front or classic entry zip available.
TLSse — Shoulder Entry Simplicity
The TLSse (Shoulder Entry) uses the same proven TLS construction in a shoulder-entry configuration — the zipper runs across the shoulders rather than the chest or back. Shoulder entry suits are simpler to don solo and are favored by divers with restricted shoulder mobility. An excellent option for divers who want TLS350 quality in an entry configuration that prioritizes ease of use. Now includes 2 leg pockets as standard for 2026. Available for men and women.
CD300 Sport — Neoprene Drysuit
The CD300 uses 3mm high-density neoprene construction — providing inherent insulation that trilaminate suits don't have, at a more accessible price point than the CF200X. The CD300 suits recreational cold-water divers who prefer the familiar feel of neoprene, want built-in warmth without a heavy undergarment, and are entering drysuit diving for the first time. Available in unisex sizing.
Yukon II — Custom Fit Women's Neoprene
The Yukon II was voted 2019 Best Buy by Scuba Diving Magazine. It combines DUI's FreedomForm Technology with neoprene construction specifically designed for women — a suit that recognizes women's body proportions rather than offering an adapted men's cut. Available in multiple color combinations (Black/Black, Black/Red, Black/Gray) in an extensive women's size range. An excellent choice for women making the transition to drysuit diving who want a genuinely women's-specific suit.
Public Safety Drysuits — TLS, TLS Encapsulated, and CXO
DUI's public safety range serves dive teams operating in contaminated and hazardous water. The Public Safety TLS is the most widely used contaminated water drysuit for professional dive teams — its trilaminate construction (nylon/butyl rubber/nylon) is easy to decontaminate and can be customized with team colors, reflective tape, and patches. The fully encapsulated TLS version covers the diver completely for maximum contamination protection. The CXO is DUI's highest protection option — a fully encapsulating suit using lightweight, durable polyurethane laminated fabric on both inner and outer surfaces for maximum decontamination ease.
Who Are DUI Drysuits For?
| Diver Type |
Recommended Suit |
Key Reason |
| Recreational cold-water divers (entry) |
CD300 Sport or Yukon II (women) |
Neoprene construction; built-in insulation; familiar feel |
| Advanced recreational divers |
TLS350 or TLSse |
Versatile trilaminate; adaptable to varied temperatures; field replaceable seals |
| Technical divers |
FLX Extreme or CLX450 |
FreedomForm mobility; Cordura durability; choice of US military and technical community |
| Wreck and hard-use divers |
CF200X or CLX450 |
Crushed neoprene or Cordura upper — exceptional abrasion and puncture resistance |
| Travel and expedition divers |
TLS350 |
Lightweight; fast-drying; packable; adaptable with undergarment changes |
| Public safety / hazardous water |
Public Safety TLS, TLS Encapsulated, or CXO |
Purpose-built for contaminated water; easy to decontaminate; customizable |
DUI ZipSeal Accessories
Every DUI drysuit comes standard with ZipSeal technology. Replacement ZipSeals are sold separately for when a seal wears out or is damaged — DUI strongly recommends carrying spares on any dive trip. Available configurations at DiveCatalog.com:
Neck ZipSeals: G2 Latex (current generation), G1 Latex, G1 Silicone. Choose latex for traditional feel and seal performance; silicone for hypoallergenic properties and improved UV resistance.
Wrist ZipSeals: Standard Latex, Heavy-Duty Latex. Heavy-Duty for divers who regularly use wrist-intensive configurations (tech diving with multiple regulators, wrist-heavy wetsuit gloves over seals).
Neck/Hood Combos: G2 and G1 Neck/Latex Hood Combo — a neck seal with an attached latex hood, providing continuous waterproof coverage from shoulders to head. Popular with cold-water divers who need head protection integrated with the suit.
Why Buy DUI from DiveCatalog.com?
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Authorized DUI dealer — genuine products, full manufacturer warranty on every suit
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Expert drysuit advice — our team can help you navigate the DUI lineup and choose the right suit and configuration
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ZipSeal replacements in stock — neck, wrist, and hood combo seals to keep you diving
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Made-to-Measure available — on select DUI models; contact us to discuss options and lead times
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Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
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Financing available — for premium DUI drysuit systems
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Rewards program — earn points on every purchase
Frequently Asked Questions — DUI Diving Unlimited International
Where are DUI drysuits made?
Every DUI drysuit is handcrafted in San Diego, California. DUI has maintained US manufacturing for over sixty years while most competitors moved offshore. This is a deliberate commitment to quality control — every suit is built by craftspeople with an average of 13 years of tenure at the company.
What makes DUI's crushed neoprene different from compressed neoprene?
Compressed neoprene still contains intact gas bubbles — they're compressed but not eliminated. Those bubbles continue to change the suit's buoyancy and insulation as you change depth. DUI's crushed neoprene process allows the material to off-gas completely, eliminating the bubbles entirely. The resulting material has stable buoyancy at all depths, dramatically better abrasion and puncture resistance, and longevity that justifies the CF200X's multi-decade service life. No other manufacturer has replicated the DUI crushing process.
What is a ZipSeal and how does it work?
A ZipSeal is DUI's patented field-replaceable seal system. The seal has a zipper-style track that locks it into the suit's cuff or neck ring. To replace a damaged seal, you zip out the old one and zip in a new one — no adhesives, no tools, no wait time. The process takes minutes. Replacement ZipSeals are sold separately for neck, wrist, and neck/hood configurations.
What is the difference between the TLS350 and FLX Extreme?
Both are trilaminate drysuits. The TLS350 uses nylon/butyl rubber/nylon trilaminate — lightweight, fast-drying, versatile across temperature ranges. The FLX Extreme uses polyester/butyl rubber trilaminate with FreedomForm design elements specifically engineered for maximum flexibility — it's the preferred choice for technical divers who need to manage equipment and execute complex valve procedures with unrestricted movement.
How long do DUI drysuits last?
DUI suits in the field have lasted longer than 20 years. No seam construction technique in the industry is considered as secure as DUI's process — covered under a 7-year warranty that will not peel or crack in extreme cold or heat. Individual CF200X suits from the early 1990s are still in service. The suit's longevity depends significantly on proper maintenance, timely ZipSeal replacement, and appropriate use for the suit's construction.
Is Made-to-Measure available?
Yes, on select DUI models including the TLS350, CF200X, CLX450, and FLX Extreme. Made-to-Measure suits are cut to your specific body dimensions, providing optimal fit and comfort. Lead times are typically 4–8 weeks. Contact us to discuss options for your specific model.
What undergarment should I use with a DUI trilaminate drysuit?
Trilaminate suits provide no thermal insulation themselves — all warmth comes from the undergarment. DUI offers their own undergarment range (DuoTherm, Polartec PowerStretch Pro, ActionWear Professional) designed specifically to work with their drysuits. The right weight depends on water temperature. Contact us and we can advise based on your typical diving conditions.
DUI has been the benchmark for drysuit engineering since the 1960s. Browse the full collection above — suits, ZipSeals, and accessories — and reach out if you'd like help choosing the right configuration for your cold water diving.
