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If you want to enjoy water adventures year-round, you’ll need proper protection from freezing water during the winter months. In situations where a wetsuit doesn’t cut it anymore, a well-made dry suit steps in. Whether you’re diving, kayaking, or wakeboarding, a dry suit will make sure that not a drop of water reaches your body.
Drysuits aren’t something you buy every day, so you need to make sure that it fits you well, provides a good seal, and it’s fairly easy to use. To help you decide, this article will take a look at the best drysuits and their features so you can get the perfect one for any type of water activity.
OUR TOP PICK
NRS Pivot Dry Suit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Rear entry through a high-quality watertight MasterSeal zipper
- Eclipse high-density fabric ensures water-protection and breathability
- Nanosphere DWR coating on the shell for additional water protection
- 5-inch neoprene overskirt for a secure closure in a sit-inside kayak
- Comfortable dry socks with reinforcements on the heel and toes
- Easy to get in and get out
Best For: Mobility In The Water
Entry: Rear
Material: 4-Layer Eclipse
Neck/Cuffs: Latex, Neoprene
Socks: Yes
EDITORS CHOICE
O’Neill Boost Dry Suit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Loose and roomy fit allows layering underneath
- Strong 300g Trilaminate Nylon shell ensures durability
- Smoothskin neck seal combines comfort and protection
- Equipped with suspenders inside to keep the suit in place
- Available in five different sizes to easily find a good fit
- Can be used for scuba diving and offers good thermal protection
- High quality neck seal and wrist seals
Best For: Layering Undergarments
Entry: Rear
Material: 300g Trilaminate Nylon
Neck: Smoothskin
Cuffs: Latex
Socks: No
BEST VALUE
Stohlquist Amp Tunnel Dry Suit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Wide chest opening makes it easy to get in and out
- High-quality MasterSeal chest and relief zippers keep water out
- Duraseal neck and wrist seals prevent any leaks
- Neoprene overcuffs to protect the seals from damage
- Seat and knee reinforcements with Cordura nylon
Best For: Easy Donning And Doffing
Entry: Front
Material: 4-Layer Twin Sensor (Nylon)
Neck/Cuffs: Neoprene-Coated Duraseal Latex
Socks: Yes
Stohlquist Ez Dry Suit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Twin Sensor material with 25,000mm waterproof rating
- Pockets on arms and thighs for stashing small items
- Watertight Duraseal gaskets with UV protection
- Knee articulations make leg movements much easier
- Universally-sized fabric socks provide foot comfort
- Can be used for cold water diving
Best For: Comfort While Wearing
Entry: Front
Material: 4-Layer Twin Sensor (Nylon)
Neck/Cuffs: Neoprene
Socks: Yes
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Modular design with separate top and bottom
- Top can be fully sealed and used on its own
- Entire suit is made of waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex
- Tall collar with pile lining feels great on the neck
- Dual adjustable hook-and-loop overskirt for kayaking
Best For: Using The Top Separately
Entry: Waist
Material: 3-Layer Gore-Tex Pro
Neck/Cuffs: Latex, Neoprene
Socks: Yes
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Highly-visible bright orange top with reflective patches
- Triple-layer nylon with DWR coating guarantees protection
- Sewn-in Hydrus 3.0 socks keep the legs comfy and dry
- Soft polyester lining provides comfort for all-day wearing
- Self-draining pocket on the chest for keys and small items
- High quality neck seal and wrist seals
Best For: Visibility in Low Light
Entry: Front
Material: 3-Layer Nylon
Neck/Cuffs: Latex
Socks: Yes
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Tailored to fit female watersport enthusiasts perfectly
- Rear-located relief zipper that is easier for women to use
- Both entry and relief use high-quality TIZIP MasterSeal zippers
- Four-layer Eclipse fabric with spandex for extra comfort
- Polyester microfiber lining feels soft and wicks sweat away
- Front entry
Best For: Female Divers
Entry: Front
Material: 4-Layer Eclipse
Neck/Cuffs: Latex, Neoprene
Socks: Yes
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Abrasion-resistant high-density Eclipse shell for years of heavy use
- Latex wrist gaskets with secure hook-and-loop closure
- Addition of spandex makes the suit very flexible
- Self-draining neoprene neck gasket makes sure you stay dry
- Neoprene overskirt for connecting to a spray skirt
Best For: Durability And Heavy Use
Entry: Front
Material: 4-Layer Eclipse
Neck/Cuffs: Latex, Neoprene
Socks: Yes
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Captive Zip entry with a rear zipper you can use on your own
- Standby mode for milder conditions (unzip the jacket)
- Breathable 3L Rampart fabric for top-level comfort
- Internal suspenders for keeping the pants in place
- Gripp-Loc tunnel for connecting to a kayak spray skirt
Best For: Paddling (Wind And Water Protection)
Entry: Rear
Material: 3-Layer Rampart Fabric
Neck/Cuffs: Latex
Socks: Yes
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Articulated knees and elbows for easier movement
- Chest entry with a high-quality YKK Aquaseal zipper
- Glideskin neoprene neck and cuffs prevent skin irritation
- Roomy pocket with D-rings for securing gear
- Knee and seat reinforcements increase suit durability
Best For: Watersports On A Budget
Entry: Front
Material: 3-Layer Nylon
Neck/Cuffs: Glideskin Neoprene
Socks: Yes
- Trilaminate is made by sandwiching an intermediate film of butyl between two layers of nylon. The result is a material that is thin and completely waterproof.
- Reinforced o-rings in your valves give you better protection against leaks. Always be sure to inspect your o-rings for quality before a dive.
- When choosing a drysuit, be sure to choose one with the least amount of external pockets as possible. If you need additional pockets, they should be included in your BCD or diving pants.
Scuba Diving Expert
How To Choose a Dry Suit – Buying Guide
Suit Material
The material used to make the best drysuits significantly impacts their performance in the water. The most common materials used are membrane (nylon laminate), neoprene, and Gore-Tex.
Membrane shells usually consist of several layers of laminated material, with a nylon layer on top and more breathable layers underneath. They are completely watertight, dry fast, and are easy to clean. Unfortunately, they aren’t warm and can be pricey.
Neoprene shells are similar to wetsuits but significantly thicker. Compared to a membrane, they are much warmer but not as efficient at keeping you dry. They can also be much harder to get on.
Gore-Tex shells are made of sophisticated materials that completely block water out while releasing water vapor so you don’t get sweaty. However, they are better suited for kayaking than diving, and the price can also be a huge downside.
Size
When it comes to size, you should pick a dry suit with a slightly looser fit. This will make the suit comfortable and give you freedom of movement. In addition, it also allows layering underneath. While the suit should be relaxed, the seals around the neck and wrists should be tight to prevent leaks.
Entry
As you’ve had the chance to see, drysuits for diving can have either a front or rear entry. A front entry dry suit usually has a diagonal zipper across the chest. It’s convenient to use on your own, but some people find it uncomfortable and restricting.
A rear entry dry suit has a zipper on the back, which stays out of your way while your active. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use it on your own, and you’ll need a buddy to help you zip and unzip it.
Zippers
You could argue that the zipper is the most important part of a dry suit. After you get in and zip it up, it needs to be completely watertight.
The most common zipper materials are metal and plastic. Metal zippers can be hard to pull, but they last very long with proper maintenance. Plastic zippers are more user-friendly, but break down faster.
Boots/Socks
A lot of waterproof drysuits come with some kind of foot cover to keep your feet warm in the water, whether it’s a type of sock or a hard boot. A sock might be more comfortable to wear, but semi-rigid boots have rubber soles that make walking easier. Both will completely seal off your feet, so the choice makes no difference from the functionality standpoint.
Valves
When you’re in the water, the air inside your dry suit can cause you to float. Because of this, many suits have exhaust valves that let you release the excess air. On the other hand, some models also feature an inflator valve that allows you to add air to the suit.
Seals
The seals are an essential part of diving drysuits – they prevent the water from getting in around your neck or wrists. Besides keeping you dry, the cuffs also need to be comfortable and not cause chafing or skin irritation. Three materials are most commonly used here – neoprene, latex, and silicone.
Neoprene cuffs are the most comfortable and durable, but can leak and stretch over time. Latex seals are less comfortable and harder to put on, but they provide a very good seal. Silicone seals are a good alternative for people with a latex allergy, and they also provide a good seal with somewhat higher elasticity.
Pockets
While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when choosing a waterproof drysuit, having cargo pockets can actually be quite useful. The pockets are usually located on the thighs, but some models have them on the chest or arms. Cargo pockets can be dry (waterproof zipper) or wet (velcro), and it’s a plus if they have loops inside for securing your gear.
FAQs
Q: How Do I Pick A Dry Suit?
The most important thing is getting the right fit – a dry suit should be comfortable and not restrict your movement. At the same time, it shouldn’t be too tight around the neck and wrist to cause discomfort. You should also consider the type of entry (front or rear), as well as whether the suit comes with socks or boots.
Q: What Is Better A Dry Suit Or A Wetsuit?
This depends on the circumstances and your own preference. A dry suit keeps you completely dry inside, allows layering, and works better in freezing water. However, it can be bulky, restrict movement, and cost too much.
A wetsuit, on the other hand, allows better freedom of movement and costs less to buy and maintain, but won’t be suitable for very cold conditions.
Q: Can You Swim In A Dry Suit?
Yes, you can swim in a dry suit. However, if you want a suit for this purpose, make sure that it’s not too baggy and that it allows you to move. For swimming purposes, a low-profile pressed neoprene suit does a better job than trilaminate. However, a wetsuit is always a much better choice for swimming if the water isn’t too cold.
Q: How Warm Is A Dry Suit?
On its own, a scuba drysuit is not very warm. However, unlike a wetsuit, it stays dry inside and allows you to wear undergarments. It’s these undergarments that provide warmth and insulation, which is why dry suits are preferred for diving in very cold water.
Q: How Long Do Dry Suits Last?
While this depends on many factors, well-maintained scuba diving dry suits can last for over 10 years. It largely comes down to how and where you use the dry suit (fresh or saltwater) and how well you care for it. Seals and zippers are the weak points on any dry suit, so pay attention not to damage them.
Q: Do You Wear A BCD With A Drysuit?
Yes, most scuba divers wear BCDs with their dive dry suits because they find it easier to tweak the buoyancy that way. While some people use the air in their suit for this, we think it’s much more reliable to use a BCD, especially if you’re an inexperienced diver.
Q: Do You Wear Anything Under A Drysuit?
Yes, if you need additional warmth. Drysuits for scuba diving won’t really keep you warm on their own, they will just keep the water out. While you can wear pretty much anything, it’s usually best to go with undergarments made of fleece, polypropylene, or wool so that you stay warm and insulated even if they get wet.
Globo Surf Overview
Adding the best dry suit to your equipment allows you to enjoy your favorite activity year-round. Besides keeping you dry, it allows you to wear extra layers and stay warm in the water. We hope that our reviews and guide have pointed you in the right direction, so you can get a dry suit that you can trust every time you get out on the water.