Wetsuits, Drysuits, and Rashguards

If you are planning to be in the water for any extended period of time you will want to have a decent wetsuit  to keep out the cold, or maybe you just want some protection from the reef, surf or sun. When choosing a wetsuit, there are two main things to consider: Your budget. With wetsuits, you get what you pay for and the more you need, the more you'll pay. For casual, recreational divers, $100-$250 is about the average you'll spend (give or take depending on the type of suit you need). For serious divers, it's worth it to spend the money on a really good suit. Expect to spend from $250 to $500. The water temperature, the length of exposure time, and depth of a dive (if applicable). The cooler the water, the longer the exposure, and the deeper you go, the warmer and thicker a suit you will need. See the guide on the right to determine which thickness you'll need. Compensate suit thickness depending on how much you will have to exert yourself while in the water. Casual drift dives will be cooler than those in which you fight a current.

Wet Suit Types

Rashguards

Rashguards  are not just for body boarding, surfing, or just playing around in the ocean. You will also want a rashguard for boating, kayaking, or for layering under a wetsuit  to provide extra warmth. Rashguards help block UV rays while under the sun, act as a heat barrier while in the water, and they protect your skin from the salt, sand, and other elements. They are very lightweight (from 6-10 oz). Used for layering or simple, light coverage. Rashguards are often looser fitting than wetsuits. T-shirt  style is most common, either with short or long sleeves, although pants  versions are also available. Skiers may find them comparable to thermal long-underwear  because they are made of a similar material, usually with a nylon-spandex base. Major Manufacturers NRS Hydrosilk  and Wavelite  are two companies that make rashguards catering to the kayaking community. Body Guard,  Billabong,  Oakley,  Execute,  and Water Girl  focus on body boarders and surfers.

Wetsuits

Traditional wetsuits  are usually meant to keep you warm while under water. While they are a must-have for diving in most climates, they can also be useful for waterskiing, wakeboarding,  or surfing  depending on the water temperature. For snorkeling or hanging out in the water, a rashguard  or a skin  is best if the water is not too chilly. Medium weight, heavy-duty neoprene and nylon suits have a range in thickness from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer a suit will be. Likewise, the thicker the wetsuit, the harder it is to put it on and to move around in it. A variety of styles are available, including farmer john sleeveless  models, shorties,  springsuits  (3/4 length suits), and full length  suits. "Skins", or skinsuits,  are a step up from a rashguard. They fit tightly like a wetsuit, but are usually made of super lightweight lycra or polartec, and are a mere 1.6 mm thick. This makes them very easy to put on and take off. They are perfect for tropical, warm water diving or snorkeling, or for short exposure periods. Because they are so lightweight they can be used to layer under heavier protection for added warmth.

Dry Suits

Drysuits,  as the name implies, are meant to keep the diver dry. These are usually for technical divers or for people bold enough to go in extra cold waters, in other words, anything below 60°F or for any long dives in moderately cool water. Drysuits are accompanied by booties,  gloves  (poggies,  neoprene mittens,  neoprene gloves ), and a hood.  These help keep the water out so that you stay dry underneath. While drysuits  keep you dry, they don't do anything to keep you warm. That's why you invest in undergarments made of breathable materials. You should also buy a breathable drysuit  which ensures that you can perspire freely without catching cold. Fleece and synthetic materials are best for layering underneath your drysuit since they don't retain any water and wick the perspiration away from your body. When choosing fleece,  the thickness layers vary from 50-300. Make sure not to go too heavy because then you will overheat and perspire too much. Cotton and wool are great for wearing above the surface, but not inside a dry suit. Sweat will accumulate and cause your body temperature to drop. Always take into account how much warmth you will need under your drysuit so that you can make size accommodations.

Wetsuit Fit Guide

A Good Fit Is Imperative!

When possible, go to a few dive shops and try on different suits. You'll quickly discover which cuts and materials best suit you. You may also want to try on the wetsuits with a BCD, just to be sure that the two pieces are compatible.

• The fit should be snug, so as to not let water seep in. The more water comes in, the harder it will be to keep warm.
• Crotch and armpits should not be saggy.
• Sleeves and ankles should not be baggy or loose.
• Look for "easy-on" features when available to make getting the suit on and off easier.

• Check the seals around the neck. It should fit snugly, but not cut off your circulation.
• Get an adjustable velcro collar if possible.
• Zippered seals make the suit easier to get on and off, plus they help the suit adapt to your body size.

Durability Is A Must!

• The zippers should lie flat and be layered underneath a protective flap to keep sand and debris out.
• They should be made of heavy-duty plastic.
• Front zippers are usually easier to deal with than back zippers since you don't need to search for a cord, which can sometimes be a hassle. Plus, cords can become entangled on your equipment. Surfers, on the other hand, may prefer back zippers.
• Diagonal zippers, on the other hand, are even better. They make getting into your suit that much easier.
• Ankle zippers are great, especially if you have big feet. It eliminates the tugging around your ankles too.
• Also, you may want to consider getting a suit that has multiple elements to it. For example, if your torso size doesn't coincide with the size of your arms you can always get a "farmer" style suit without arms. Then, over top you can have a jacket piece.

• Padding on the knees, butt, spine, and shoulders adds comfort, but also bulk, weight, and may increase cost.
• The most useful form of padding for divers is on the spine. However, you may need more or less depending on how long you will be diving.
• Surfers may want knee padding.

Wetsuit Styles

Springsuit  With or without sleeves. Also known as a "shortie". Great for tropical diving or snorkeling. Usually 3mm thick.	Sleeveless Wetsuit  A.k.a. 'Farmer John' style. Good for warm water diving. Can be layered under a long sleeve wetsuit jacket  for more warmth.	Full Wetsuit  Full coverage offers the most warmth. One of the most common styles. Can be used in all water temperatures depending on the thickness.

Easy-On Wetsuits

If you've ever worn a wetsuit  before, you will know, perhaps all too well, that they're not the most comfortable suits you'll wear in your life. First there's all the tugging and yanking to get it on, then it's stiff and a pain to get off. Thankfully, manufacturers have caught on and decided to makes these things more pliable. Today is a good day for divers with these suits reviewed by scubadiving.com:

Henderson Titanium Hyperstretch	Bare Velocity	Oceanic Titanic 3.0	XS Scuba Men's Titanium-coated neoprene full suit

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