So what exactly makes the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit, and when should one be worn?

Wetsuits

Wetsuit manufacturers usually design wetsuits according to its use. Scuba diving wetsuits may be slightly different from a wetsuit made for triathlon or surfing, or it may differ in the materials and flexibility but they all have the same purpose – they maintain body warmth when you are in the water.

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.

Neoprene, the main material used in the making of wetsuits, is synthetic rubber that is waterproofed, but wetsuits will not keep you dry as it allows water to get into the suit to make it work in preserving your body heat.

A wetsuit is made up of a very flexible material, thus it is also very flexible. It is also designed to fit snugly on the body. It is important that a wetsuit fits you well as this will be a main factor in its effectiveness in preserving your body heat.

Drysuits

A drysuit is also protective garment that is worn to protect the body from the cold or from suffering hypothermia, especially when you are submerged in water, as body heat tends to lose faster in water than when you are in land. Unlike wetsuits, drysuits are baggy and loose. As the name suggests, drysuits keep you dry even if you are submerged in water. This is how it works in keeping you warm.

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 involve a lot of movements and speed. Knowing the differences between a wetsuit and a drysuit for sure will help you identify which one is for what. Especially if you are engaged in a competitive water sport like triathlon, you may find drysuits not suitable as they are baggy and not flexible. In activities like scuba diving, especially when water temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you may however find drysuits suitable.

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