What To Wear Under A Drysuit?

The Giant Stride

If you are going scuba diving can be now curious about what to wear under a dry suit. It is a question that is asked by not only newbies scuba divers but also surfers and snorkelers. There is no single right answer but what to wear under a dry suit?

What to wear under a dry suit depends on diving conditions in particular on how cold the water is. You should avoid using undergarments made from cotton but use clothes that are made with materials like polypropylene, pile fleece, and wool.

In today’s post, we will go through in more detail what to wear under a wetsuit, so let’s get started!

Read more on common questions asked by divers

How Do Dry Suits Keep You Warm?

Drysuits are not designed to keep you warm. What they do is to keep out the water so that you remain dry when underwater.

If you are interested in being warm you would need to add extra clothing undergarments for insulating.

How Do Drysuits Work?

A drysuit works by creating a watertight seal as the drysuits have rubber seals around the neck and arms of the suit. Thus creating an insulating layer of air between the body and the suit.

Which stops the cold water from getting in helping to prevent you from being affected by the cold water.

diver in the water

What To Wear Under A Drysuit?

While drysuits are designed to keep you dry while underwater, but leaks do happen with the best type of clothing to wear under a dry suit are clothes made from materials that insulate even when wet.

A general rule is to avoid clothes that are made with cotton including cotton underwear but use clothes that are made with materials like polypropylene, pile fleece, and wool. You can use something that will wick moisture away from your skin which can also provide reasonable warmth even when wet.

Unfortunately, most drysuit undergarments are fairly expensive but offer thermal protection when you go under. Along with thick wool socks. They come in a number of different thicknesses that help to keep you warm during deep dives in cold water.

Do You Still Get Cold In A Dry Suit?

It is normal to feel cold under water when using a dry suit, they are not designed for warmth. You may need to use extra and heavier undergarments to help you get more warmth.

How Should A Dry Suit Fit?

A drysuit should not be too small and not too big. And that the zipper is ok. Generally, less room in a drysuit is better but you need to have enough space for undergarments. And if too loose the extra air can affect your buoyancy.

Why Are Drysuits So Expensive?

Drysuits are expensive because of the materials used and the precision required to ensure that they are waterproof. 

Are Dry Suits Comfortable?

Drysuits have made improvements to the design in the last few years that has made them more comfortable to wear. But they are still baggy and can slow you down. And take some time getting used to it.
Floating Diver

Do Drysuits Help You Float?

Yes, dry suits will help you float.

What Is Warmer A Wetsuit Or Drysuit?

Drysuits are designed to be waterproof not for warmth. While wetsuits are designed to keep you warm when you are wet so if your wetsuit is loose you will feel the cold.

Wrapping Up

Finally, what you should wear under a dry suit depends alot on the diving conditions in particular on how cold the water is. You should avoid using undergarments made from cotton but use clothes that are made with materials like polypropylene, pile fleece, and wool.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on what to wear under a drysuit has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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What To Wear Under A Drysuit

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