From their names alone, they drop a hint that drysuits will make you dry and wetsuits do not. But why do we use one instead of the other?

Wetsuits

Wetsuits may be a triathlon wetsuit or a surfing wetsuit or one that is fit for scuba diving. A wetsuit can also be made of 60% superstretch neoprene to the most flexible 100% superstretch neoprene wetsuit. These wetsuits also have different features that is specifically suits a particular activity. However, whatever is the design and style of the suit, wetsuits are worn to protect the body from the risk of hypothermia.

Wetsuits work by allowing a small amount of water inside the suit, and this will serve as the body’s insulator from the cold. The neoprene material that makes up a wetsuit also helps in keeping the body warm because it contains air pockets that helps keep your body warm.

The material that makes up a wetsuit is a very flexible rubber that is also waterproofed. However, wetsuits do not work by keeping your body dry. It actually lets a small amount of water into the suit so that it can protect you from the cold.

Neoprene is a very flexible synthetic rubber, thus a wetsuit is also very flexible. The gear is designed to snugly fit the entire body or the coverage of your wetsuit because this will make the wetsuit work properly in order to keep you warm. Because it is fitted closely to the body, additional garments may not be used underneath it.

Drysuits

Drysuits on the other hand are also protective garments worn to preserve body heat but unlike wetsuits, drysuits are loose fitting and waterproofed. Drysuits keep you warm by keeping you dry when you are in the water. The openings in the neck, the wrist and the and ankles are sealed so that no water can enter the suit. This is how drysuits work in protecting you from the cold.

Drysuits are baggy and loose to allow you to move freely since the suit is not made from flexible materials. You can also wear warm clothes underneath a drysuit to add more warmth to your body.

Drysuits and wetsuits indeed have the same function and that is, they both protect you from the cold by preserving your body heat. However, they differ on their flexibility and in keeping you dry while you are doing your sport. With these differences, you may be able to know which one is suitable for you.

Water sports require great flexibility, which a drysuit cannot give. Especially that a drysuit is loose fitting and baggy, it would be cumbersome to put on a drysuit when surfing or engaging into triathlon. For sure, it will not give you the speed required for the sport. Drysuits may however be helpful when snorkeling or scuba diving especially when a wetsuit is not giving you enough warmth, or if you plan to stay underwater for long or if temperature is lower than 60 degrees.