Drysuit vs Wetsuit? We’ve been asked this a lot lately and given the changing season I’m sure many of you might be asking the same. So here goes… Depending on where you live, your season may be greatly extended with a drysuit. As materials and designs improve, drysuits have become more functional and affordable. A wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water between you and the suit allowing your body heat to warm the inside of the wetsuit against your skin - so you’ll need to get wet to stay warm. Fit is critical, a suit that’s too tight will restrict movement, while a loose fitting wetsuit allows water to flush through and you won’t stay warm. After your session is over the wetsuit will cool down as the water slowly drains. Consider the water temps where you ride; wetsuits come in various thicknesses, and a heavier neoprene with windproof skin on the suit will be needed in cold water conditions. Mobility can be an issue in the very thickest wetsuits – an important consideration for kiting or SUP. Wetsuits are durable and easily repaired, a good cool water suit (4/3mm) will run $300 - $400, a cold water suit (5mm+) will run $400+. A drysuit works by, surprise…keeping you dry! The suit is made from a waterproof material with seals at the neck, wrist and ankle to completely block water from entering. The drysuit provides no warmth so you’ll need an insulating layer. You insulate as much, or as little as you need for the conditions – so it’s possible to cover a large range of air and water temps with a drysuit, which also offers excellent mobility and light weight. New membrane materials now allow drysuits such as Ocean Rodeo’s - Soul drysuit to be highly breathable, and stop sweat from accumulating in the suit altogether - keeping you dry = warm for hours of activity on the water without overheating. A good dry suit will cost around $800. Consider your activity and need for mobility, and most of all consider the seasonal conditions where you ride – sometimes the best seasons for kiting can be when water and air temps are the coldest, so if you’re looking to get the most out of your season and your sessions – a highly breathable and functional drysuit might be justified by covering the same range as a cool and cold water wetsuit combo. Want see a highly breathable and functional drysuit in action – head to dropwatersports and check out the 3 min video on the “Soul” drysuit designed for kiting, SUP and windsurf.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 19:18:08 +0000
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