What Is a Drysuit? When to Wear One and Why You Need It

You’ve heard of a wetsuit, but what is a drysuit? Make sure you take a look at this guide to learn when you should wear one and why you need it.

When you say the word “wetsuit” some people will immediately think of scuba diving, others will associate it with surfing, while others will think about children wearing a short-sleeved wetsuit playing on the beach.

That’s one of the great things about wetsuits, you can use them in lots of different situations. However, when you hear the word “drysuit” what comes to mind?

If you’re drawing a blank, then join the club. You may be thinking it has something to do with the water but how can it be dry? Most people have heard of a wetsuit but what is a drysuit?

In this article, we will give you all the basics you need to understand the difference between a wetsuit and drysuit, and when you should use a drysuit.

The answer to these questions will not only be interesting but will open up your world to many water-related recreational activities that are super good fun.

Why Wear a Suit in the Water?

The human body must maintain its core temperature to within as little as 2 degrees Fahrenheit. If your body temperature drops below this the result will eventually be fatal. Therefore the main reason you wear a suit in the water is to slow down the reduction in core body temperature.

Whether you wear a wetsuit or drysuit, both are designed to insulate the body so that heat cannot escape too quickly from the surface of the skin. Being in or on the water makes the skin highly exposed to the rays of the sun. Therefore, another important function of both suit types is to protect the skin from sun exposure.

Wetsuit is Wet — Drysuit is Dry

This may sound obvious but it’s the basic design difference between the two suit types. A wetsuit allows a thin layer of water to penetrate the suit and come into contact with the skin. That thin layer of water is then sealed to some degree within the suit and gradually warms up with the heat from your body.

This acts like an insulating layer to prevent rapid loss of heat from your skin straight into the seawater or lake water etc. This method is very effective but it does have its limits as we will discuss further below.

So what is a drysuit? A drysuit doesn’t allow any water into contact with the skin. The suit makes an excellent seal around the neck that’s flexible and moves with you. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in air, so a drysuit is extremely effective in preserving body heat.

When to Wear a Drysuit

You’re likely familiar with wetsuits to some degree already and realize you can use them for lots of fun activities in the water, but here are some occasions when using a drysuit could be more advantageous.

Diving in Very Cold Water

Owing to the fact that no water will come into contact with the skin means that you can use a drysuit to dive in very cold water. Alternatively, it may also mean that you can dive in cold water but for longer.

If you’re a keen diver, then this type of suit will allow you to extend the diving season as the waters start to get colder. In fact, some of the best diving locations in the world are in very cold water conditions.

Water Skiing

For the most part, we associate water sports with wetsuits. That said there are some advantages to using a drysuit. For one, you can wear your clothes underneath and that means additional warmth and comfort according to your preference. Plus you’re not limited to doing those sports only in the warmer months.

Standup Paddleboarding

Depending on where you choose to do this and the weather conditions, it can be freezing cold. Your contact with the water itself will be minimal so wearing a wetsuit in these conditions would not be very advantageous. Instead, go for a drysuit and build up your layers of warmth and insulation underneath.

Sailing

Drysuits are made from neoprene, rubber, or nylon. If well maintained they’re very durable and can last up to 15 years or so.

Their design means the fit is baggy and will allow plenty of free movement. The durability, warmth, and flexibility of movement make these suits ideal for sailing in cold and testing conditions.

Convenience

Getting in and out of a wetsuit can be bothersome, inconvenient, and awkward. Wearing a drysuit will save a lot of that bother as you can wear it over whatever else you’re wearing. When you’re finished it’s very easy to take off. So there may be several scenarios where that convenience serves your purpose more than wearing a wetsuit.

What Is a Drysuit — Ready to Try One?

In this article, you have read about the basics of what is a drysuit and some of the advantages of using a drysuit. We have also listed some sports in which using drysuits is popular.

There are lots of different types of drysuits and different options like whether the zip is on the front or back etc. So if you think a drysuit will meet your needs, the best thing to do is get down to the drysuit supplier and start trying them on.

Some people buy online but it’s better to go and have a look at them physically first, especially if you haven’t any experience using them as judging the size can also be challenging. Check out other articles on our site that will inspire your sense of fashion and adventure.