First impressions: built to last
The Otter Britannic Mk2 Telescopic drysuit immediately impressed us with its build quality. It feels heavier than the BARE Aqua Trek 1, for example, but lighter than the Northern Diver HID.
At around $2000, it makes for an impressive entry-level drysuit as much as a reliable cold-water suit for diving in overhead environments like caves or a wreck with sharp objects. That’s for a custom-made suit like the one I’ve been diving in.
There are plenty of options for colors and seals, save for integrated boots and the metal zipper. BDM metal zippers have been standard on drysuits for more than 40 years. The compromise here is that it’s more difficult to open and close and it requires lubrication before almost every dive.
Otter claims these suits are made by a single person who is responsible for its construction. As a family-owned outfit since 1987, there’s value and accountability in that.
I can’t confirm if the suit was made by one hand, but my experience diving in can attest to it being a quality suit to dive in. Read more about the specifics below.
Material and construction: comfort and protection
The seams on the Otter Britannic Mk2 are both double-glued and double-stitched. That kind of construction is standard for keeping trilaminate panels bonded properly, but what really matters to me is that the suit just works.
I’ve seen a lot of product descriptions about bonding methods designed to make a suit strong. The BARE X-Mission Evolution is double-glued but heat sealed by a No-Stitch Technology (NST), for example.
When delamination—separation of layers, which spoils the waterproof seal—occurs, it usually comes down to how the suit’s stored or a very rare bad batch of fabric—not the seam work. In my own Otter, all I can say is it stays dry, and I trust it. The feel of it alone gives me peace of mind before I even hit the water.
I feel like the Armor Skin of the Otter fits somewhere in the middle of membrane suits in the way it feels in terms of weight and toughness. It’s lighter than the Northern Diver HID drysuit, because of that suit’s heavy duty knees and elbows, and heavier than the BARE Aqua Trek 1, because the Britannic has more protection.
In other words, I feel more protected in the Otter Britannic than in the BARE Aqua Trek 1 and I feel more comfortable but less protected compared to the Northern Diver HID. It’s almost on par with the Hollis DX-300X, but that one gets the edge in comfort versus Britannic.
Seals: plenty of good options
The neoprene neck seal and latex wrist seals offer thermal protection at the neck and easy donning/doffing at the wrists.
When it comes to the seals on the Otter Britannic Mk2, you have a couple of solid standard options. Many divers choose a neoprene neck seal for added warmth and latex wrist seals for ease of use—that combination tends to be a popular choice. This is what I chose and I like it for the cold-water comfort at the neck and easy donning.
Since the suit can be made to measure for less than $400 extra, you’ve got a lot of flexibility to tailor it to your preferences. You can add a dry glove system for extra warmth and protection, and the Si-Tech Neck Tite system, like I have on the Hollis DX-300X, is a great option as well. Overall, the level of customization available lets you dial in exactly what you need from your drysuit.
Storage and functionality: practical simplicity
The suit features a straightforward pocket configuration with one knife pocket and one standard pocket, both equipped with brass D-rings.
BDM Zipper: Is it too tough?
I’m not a fan of the BDM zipper, even though it’s made of metal and feels heavy-duty. But I’m not convinced that it’s any tougher than a plastic YKK zipper. I find it tougher to open and close, especially with cold fingers.
It’s also less flexible, which might be an issue as it bends around the waist or shoulder. It has been a reliable solution for more than 40 years, so I’ll give it that.
There’s an outer plastic zipper to protect the waterproof zipper from crud getting into its teeth and making it even more difficult to operate.
Older Britannic suits had plastic zipper options and it’s possible Otter can option one onto this suit. I would if I could do it all over again, but that’s just me.
Mobility and performance: tested reliability
The telescopic design and flexible Armor Skin material provide good freedom of movement both underwater and during shore entry.
The internal brace system keeps the suit properly positioned during use, while the heavy-duty knee pads offer protection during kneeling or crawling entries.
Price/Quality Ratio: reliable value
With a starting price around $1,895 USD (approximately £1,715 GBP), the Britannic MK2 represents a serious investment—but one that’s well justified given its hand-crafted build and quality.
The made-to-measure option adds just $200 or so (£160 GBP), which is much cheaper than most bespoke drysuits. It ends up a little more than half the cost of a Fourth Element Argonaut 3.0.
And with all the options possible, which add more to the price, there’s still a lot of value here.
Do we recommend the Otter Britannic Mk2 telescopic drysuit?
The Otter Britannic Mk2 presents a heavy-duty yet affordable option that will stand up over time. It’s about the manufacturing tradition of the company.
While it may lack some modern conveniences like an updated zipper system or extensive pocket configurations, the quality of construction and attention to detail make it a worthy consideration.
There’s plenty of protection for overhead environments here, yet the suit strikes a great balance on comfort. It might not be the first suit I choose for recreational diving, but it’s one I’ll continue to dive in for colder, technical expeditions.
Specs & Features
| Material | Trilaminate |
|---|---|
| Neck seals | Neoprene |
| Wrist seals | Dry glove options, neoprene, latex seals |
| Weight | Lightweight construction |
| Fit | Semi-custom with telescopic body design |
| Zip location | Front-entry heavy-duty double zip with protective cover |
| Boots | Flexible sock feet with choice of boot (three options) |
| Pockets | One knife pocket and one standard pocket with brass D-rings |
Take a moment to look at this.
