Wetsuit vs. Dry Suit

When you get out on the water, all you want to do is ride your favorite watercraft. If you have the wrong suit for the ride, you could end up uncomfortable or distracted to the point the ride is no longer even fun. Let’s take a look at the differences between a wetsuit vs. dry suit so you know when to wear them, so you can just enjoy the thrill of the ride.

What are the differences?

The first thing when considering when to wear a wetsuit vs. dry suit is to understand the differences between the two types. While both are body suits you wear when on your watercraft, they have different abilities.

• - A wetsuit is designed to keep you warm when you get wet, but they are not waterproof. You will feel wetness on the skin while wearing this option, but you will not feel as cold. Wetsuits are usually made from rubber neoprene and fit close to the skin.
• - A dry suit is designed to keep water out and keep you dry but offers nothing in the way of warmth. A dry suit will keep all water off your skin when designed properly. This suit type is usually made from heavy-duty nylon, but there are other options available as well.

When to use a wetsuit vs. dry suit?

There are a few important things to consider when choosing which suit type to wear for your next adventure. For starters, you should consider the temperature of the water and the overall air temperature when deciding. If it is cold, you probably want a wetsuit to keep you warm. When you are looking to stay dry and it’s a little warmer outside, a dry suit is the better choice. However, it is important to note that it doesn’t have to be one or the other. For instance, you can wear a wetsuit for warmth underneath your dry suit for waterproofing for the best of both in more extreme temperatures.

Another thing to look at when deciding between the two is the type of activity you are doing. For example, if you will spend a good deal of time in the actual water, a wetsuit is better because it is less restrictive on your movement and fits close to the skin, so you hardly notice it if you need to swim. On the other hand, a dry suit is more similar to a big ski jacket and is hard to swim in should the need arise.