Dry suit or wet suit?

Choosing between a drysuit and a wetsuit can be confusing. That's why we at Onwater have written this guide to give you a better idea of ​​the advantages and disadvantages of a drysuit or a wetsuit.

Difference between drysuit and wetsuit

The dry suit and the wet suit serve the same purpose. To keep you warm during the colder days of the year when you are doing water activities. These two garments solve this problem in completely different ways. A wet suit lets in a small amount of water that forms a thin layer closest to the body. This water is heated by your body heat and insulated by the neoprene material in the wet suit. Even if the water on the outside of the suit is very cold, you stay warm. Many of our customers use wet suits even during the coldest days of the year. Especially those who do windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand up paddle boarding.

The dry suit works in a completely different way. Latex or neoprene cuffs around the neck, ankles and wrists keep you dry, which means you can wear regular underwear and fleece underneath your suit. The dry suit is usually made of waterproof material with breathable properties and a strong zipper for putting on and taking off.

If you want to read more about wetsuits, you can click on our article about wetsuits which you will find here!

Is a drysuit completely dry?

Yes, basically. A drysuit should keep you dry if you end up in the water. Some moisture may form on the inside of the suit depending on the level of exertion and the type of breathable material the suit is made of. The warmest option in winter is undoubtedly a drysuit.

From a maritime safety perspective, it is a lot about buying time if you end up in the water. If you are out kayaking in the winter, a dry suit is an excellent alternative. Even if you would feel warm with a wet suit if you end up in the water, you will relatively quickly become cold when you get back in the kayak. You can avoid this if you choose to invest in a dry suit instead. The dry suit also makes it easier to practice rolling and other safety maneuvers even during autumn, spring and winter, which increases safety for those who want to extend the season.

Of course, this doesn't just apply to paddling, but also to windsurfers and SUP paddlers. Many people shy away from surfing in the winter precisely because they don't want to feel the pain of getting out of the water and taking off a wet suit. In your dry suit, you unzip and step out of the suit dry.

How do you care for a drysuit?

Drysuits should be hand washed in lukewarm water with mild detergents as a rule. Never washing the suit because it will lose its “breathability” is a myth. The waterproof membrane does not last as long when exposed to salt and dirt, and actually breathes less if not washed.

A good suit is a long-term investment that usually lasts for many years, depending on how often it is used. The most worn parts are the latex cuffs and the feet of the suit. It is no problem to repair or replace the cuffs at an affordable cost. You can do this yourself without any major difficulties. It is smart to be a little extra careful about these parts of the suit. If the suit is equipped with full latex feet, we recommend that you wear wet shoes on the outside of the suit. If there is a lot of friction between the latex feet and the neoprene shoes, you can pull a nylon stocking or plastic bag over your feet to make it easier to put on and take off. You can increase the life of the cuffs by using silicone spray. The cuffs can also benefit from being talcumed, which also reduces friction when you put on the suit.

What do I do if the latex is too tight around my neck?

Many drysuits have latex cuffs around the neck. These can feel very tight and uncomfortable when you first try on your suit. Of course, you can cut the cuffs to make them larger. Just be careful not to cut too much. The cuffs should fit snugly without cutting off the blood supply. It may also be worth considering that many cuffs stretch a little after use. Therefore, we recommend that our customers do not start by cutting their cuffs but wait and see.

Good luck with your choice of costume. Please contact one of our stores if you have any questions we can answer.

Greetings

Onwater