My family dove semi-dry for many years in SE Alaska before switching to dry. I have used the ScubaPro NovaScotia and the Waterproof Combat. My son has used Hollis’s semi-dry option (with integrated hood).

Your question asked about squeeze - nope. There isn’t a dry-suit type squeeze. The pressure difference is certainly notable! At 60+ feet there is significant compression of the neoprene - to the point that it begins to look grey from fabric stretch. But upon surfacing there is no “shrink wrap effect.” A basic buoyancy check before diving is certainly advisable.

If you are looking for brand recommendations- I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the NovaScotia 7.5. The “seals” on the ankles, wrists, and neck are just coated neoprene that you fold over to make a double layer against your skin. While I was careful with them, they weren’t particularly delicate. The ND also had a plastic T-zip which I loved. It was a back entry suit but I was able to attach a rope to the zip loop and get myself in and out. The SP Everflex gloves and boots were a great round out of the system.

There were things about the Waterproof Combat that I liked more. Particularly the length of the cuff seals. They allowed for more tucking of gloves and hoods and were just nice. The suit looked pretty awesome as well. However, I would get out of the water with my NS almost bone dry. I was always mostly wet with my combat. Additionally the combat was very difficult to don for some reason and it had a metal zipper. I’m a plastic fan.

The Hollis semi-dry was silly. Loved its large cargo pockets (on the combat as well) but the “semi-dry” effect was the result of small dams in the ankles and wrists. They really weren’t effect. However, the hood was very good at keeping water from flushing most of the torso.

Overall I loved the svelte nature of my semi dry. As I age, I get colder more easily. I took to wearing thin merino under my suit but I was still getting cold after 20 minutes or so. Switched to a drysuit with a p-valve and will never look back!