Drysuits
Purpose
A drysuit keeps you completely dry by sealing water out at the neck, wrists, and through a waterproof zipper. Unlike a wetsuit, the drysuit itself provides very little insulation — warmth comes entirely from the undergarments you wear inside. This system is extremely versatile: add layers for cold dives, wear lighter undergarments in milder conditions. Drysuits are the standard choice for diving in Canada and other cold-water environments where prolonged thermal protection is needed.
Features
Type of Material
Foam neoprene suits are made from the same material as wetsuits and provide some passive insulation even without undergarments — good for divers transitioning from wetsuits. Crushed neoprene starts as foam neoprene and is compressed during manufacturing, resulting in a thinner, more durable, and less buoyant material. Trilaminate (TLS) suits use three bonded layers — typically nylon/butyl rubber/nylon — that are very durable, lightweight, and easy to repair but provide no passive insulation. Urethane-coated fabric suits are similar to trilaminate in function. Vulcanized rubber suits are one-piece moulded suits most often used by professional divers and in very cold or hazmat environments. Each material has trade-offs in warmth, buoyancy, durability, and cost.
Zipper Placement
Most drysuits will be a back-zip (shoulder-entry) and will have a long zipper on the back of the suit that runs the full length of your shoulders. You will need someone else to zip and unzip your suit for you. Other suits will be front-zip and have the zipper running diagonally along the front of the suit. Many times these suits are referred to as self-entry, however some divers will find they still need a bit of help with the zipper.
Type of Seals
Most common type of wrist and neck seals is latex, however silicone is becoming popular with divers who have skin reactions to latex. Neoprene seals are also available and can provide a softer layer of warmth and comfort against the skin.
Dry Gloves
With a standard latex or silicone wrist seal, most divers will wear wet gloves, the same gloves that you would wear with a wetsuit. For added warmth, a popular alternative is dry gloves. There are various systems that can be added either at time of manufacture or afterwards. Dry gloves will usually include a plastic or rubber ring system added to the wrist area and the diver wears a warm liner inside with a waterproof glove that attaches to the ring system.
Boot Style
Drysuits typically come with an integrated boot or neoprene sock. With a neoprene sock, you will need to wear a rockboot for added support and stability. An integrated boot style are most commonly made of rubber. The most important thing is to ensure your scuba fins will fit the style of boot on the drysuit. Most drysuit divers will have a set of fins with a larger foot pocket for wearing with their drysuit, and another pair with a smaller foot pocket to wear with neoprene boots.
Care & Maintenance
Rinse the drysuit thoroughly with fresh water inside and out after every dive. Dry the inside completely before storage. Hang on a wide, rounded hanger — wire hangers will damage material and seals. Clean the zipper teeth with a soft brush and apply zipper lubricant regularly; a seized drysuit zipper is an expensive repair. Wash latex or silicone seals with mild soapy water and inspect them for nicks or tears before every dive. A small nick can grow into a seal failure underwater. Have the suit inspected by a professional technician annually.
Drysuit Undergarments
Undergarments are what keep you warm inside the drysuit, layering light and heavy items depending on the water temperature. Undergarments include full body suits, pants, sweaters, gloves, socks. When purchasing your own drysuit, keep in mind the thickness of undergarments that you will be wearing. It's usually recommended to get measured or fitted with the thickest undergarments to ensure a good fit for any condition.
Materials
Fleece, wool and synthetics are all ideal for use under your dry suit and will retain warmth even if wet. Cotton is not recommend as it will not remain warm when wet and will not dry quickly.
Temperature Recommendations
Some dry suit under garments have recommended temperature ranges. These are a guideline only. Be aware of your personal needs and have multiple layers to add or remove as necessary.