Stay Dry and Comfortable: The Top 5 Best Drysuits for Watersports and Diving

If you frequently dive in cold water or spend extended periods in cooler temperatures, it is crucial to keep yourself warm and dry. To achieve this, investing in a drysuit is highly recommended. Unlike wetsuits, drysuits create a layer of air between your body and the suit to provide warmth. For this reason, it’s essential that drysuits are completely waterproof and have snug seals at the neck, wrists, and sometimes ankles. If you’re in the market for your first drysuit, browsing our product reviews can help you find the best options available.

Northern Diver HID

Northern Diver’s HID drysuit is an outstanding piece of gear designed for divers who enjoy exploring cold waters. This drysuit is perfect for both recreational and experienced divers, offering a durable and comfortable diving experience. Northern Diver is known for using high-quality materials, and the HID drysuit is no exception. The ballistic nylon outer layer is heavy-duty and tough, while the polyester inner layer makes it incredibly comfortable to wear. The HID drysuit is constructed with Black Aquatex tri-laminate fabric, neoprene, latex, and Kevlar for added durability, making it an ideal choice for both recreational and technical divers. Its front zip location and hard-sole boots make it easy to put on and take off, and the suit comes with two pockets and a small knife pocket for convenience. Overall, the Northern Diver HID drysuit is a reliable and comfortable choice for all types of cold water diving, thanks to its solid construction and useful features.

Seasoft Ti 3000

The Seasoft Ti 3000 neoprene drysuit is designed with a 3.5 mm compressed neoprene material that has a titanium lining and abrasion-resistant exterior. Equipped with a plastic rear-shoulder zip, neoprene seals, and integrated boots, this drysuit is available in sizes 8 men’s, 8 women’s, and custom fit with an MSRP of $2,399.99. The Ti 3000 offers custom-fit seals, boots, and arm and leg lengths, allowing for a snug fit similar to a 5 mm wetsuit, with additional space for thicker undergarments. The long rear-shoulder zipper operates smoothly and can be managed by the wearer, provided they are flexible enough. The smooth-skin seals at the neck and wrists ensure comfort, but it is crucial to carefully roll them over to ensure watertightness.

During water testing, the Seasoft Ti 3000 received excellent scores for range of motion and overall comfort, while being rated very good for buoyancy and attitude control, with good air movement. However, testers suggested that ankle straps would have helped control gas movement to the boots, which seemed slightly large for the suit size. The forearm-mounted exhaust valve was easy to operate and received an excellent score, making it the only drysuit tested to receive that rating. Testers also appreciated the suit’s removable pockets that mount with hook-and-loop panels. The Ti 3000 is the Testers Choice for neoprene drysuits and is highly recommended for its quality and features.

NRS Men’s Crux Drysuit

The Men’s Crux Drysuit is an ideal option for kayakers, with advanced features that ensure a comfortable and dry experience on the water. Constructed with 4-layer Eclipse™ waterproof-breathable fabric and a flexible MasterSeal zipper, this suit offers superior protection. The proprietary waterproof-breathable barrier and Nanosphere® DWR finish prevent water from entering the suit while allowing moisture to escape. The supple polyester microfiber shell provides a frictionless paddling experience and has exceptional resistance to punctures and abrasions. Additionally, the overskirt has a 5″ wide neoprene band and double-pull hook-and-loop closure, creating a watertight seal over the sprayskirt tunnel.

The Men’s Crux Drysuit also features heavy-duty TIZIP® MasterSeal waterproof relief zipper that is wide and has a protective flap cover, making it convenient to answer nature’s call without removing the suit. The attached drysocks, made from the same 125 denier Eclipse fabric, have taped seams on the inside and double taping in the toe and heel area for extra durability. The suit also boasts top-quality latex wrist and neck gaskets that keep water out, and a heavy-duty TIZIP® MasterSeal waterproof entry zipper with a hook-and-loop sealed flap for extra protection. The punch-through neoprene overcuffs protect the wrist and neck gaskets, while the single-seam legs eliminate wear points and improve mobility. The seat and lower leg of the suit feature extra burly Eclipse fabric with a high-density exterior weave that provides maximum resistance to abrasion and puncture, ensuring durability.

Freya Dry Suit

The Level Six Freya drysuit is an excellent choice for kayakers who want a cost-effective and stylish option to stay dry while on the water. The suit, named after the Norse goddess, has a relaxed fit and adjustable waist and ankles for a personalized fit. It’s important to note that the legs may be too short for those with a 30- to 31-inch inseam, so it’s crucial to pay attention to inseam and torso measurements for the best fit. Level Six has developed its waterproof membrane called Exhaust 3.0, which is a robust waterproof-breathable nylon with a 10,000 mm rating. The Freya drysuit is sturdier than its competitors and includes comfort features like cozy fleece-lined pockets just below the waist, a front-entry zipper, a rear-relief zipper, a double tunnel, and a buckle waistband system. The suit comes in unique color combinations like muted merlot and steely blue, which are a refreshing change from the typical teal and purple colors found in women’s outdoor gear.

Aphrodite Dry Suit

When it came to the Immersion Research Aphrodite drysuit, the reviewer was initially skeptical because it didn’t have Gore-Tex. However, they were pleasantly surprised by the suit’s features. Despite not having a Gore-Tex membrane, the Aphrodite still has an impressive waterproof rating of 30,000 mm, and its shell is made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles, making it environmentally friendly. The fabric is naturally hydrophobic and lightweight, weighing only 3.5 pounds, which is barely heavier than the NRS Axiom suit. The Aphrodite also features a strategically placed clamshell zipper on the butt, which functions as both an entry and relief zipper and is surprisingly easy to use. Although the zipper placement might seem odd, it doesn’t add bulk and is undetectable in look and feel once the wearer is sitting in their boat. Overall, the Immersion Research Aphrodite proved to be a hidden gem among drysuits.

Buying Advice

A drysuit is a specialized garment that is specifically designed to keep you completely dry while you are in the water. It creates a barrier that effectively prevents water from seeping through to your skin, allowing you to stay dry and comfortable even in cold and wet conditions. In harsh weather or water conditions, a drysuit can be an excellent way to protect yourself. The layers of fabric that make up the drysuit create a barrier that traps air, providing insulation that helps to keep you warm. However, it’s important to remember that a drysuit is not a substitute for proper clothing. Layering up underneath it is essential for added warmth and protection. If you plan on kayaking in water or air temperatures under 66 degrees Fahrenheit, wearing a drysuit is highly recommended to help you stay dry and comfortable.

FAQs

What Is A Drysuit?

A drysuit works by preventing water from coming into contact with the diver’s skin. Because water conducts heat away from the body 20 times faster than air, a diver who stays dry underwater will lose body heat much slower than when diving in a wetsuit.

Contrary to popular belief, a drysuit alone doesn’t actually keep you very warm. Air by itself isn’t particularly insulating. Therefore drysuits have a loose fit which allows you to wear clothes or other insulating layers underneath.

How Does A Drysuit Work?

A drysuit works by preventing water from coming into contact with the diver’s skin. Because water conducts heat away from the body 20 times faster than air, a diver who stays dry underwater will lose body heat much slower than when diving in a wetsuit.

Contrary to popular belief, a drysuit alone doesn’t actually keep you very warm. Air by itself isn’t particularly insulating. Therefore drysuits have a loose fit which allows you to wear clothes or other insulating layers underneath.

All of the dive computers we’ve listed above are intuitively designed for recreational divers so they’re relatively easy to use. 

Why Dive In A Drysuit?

It’s not always easy to access all those tropical diving destinations that we dream about. This means that sometimes we have to dive locally in order to satisfy our underwater cravings. And for most of us, diving local means cold water!

What’s more, there are some seriously spectacular cold water dives around the world that can only be reached in a dry suit. A drysuit opens up scuba diving all year round and anywhere in the world.

If you’re frequently diving in water temperatures below 60° F (15° C) then it’s definitely worth buying your own drysuit. Drysuits are well worth the investment and the little time needed to learn how to use one properly.

How Cold Can You Dive In A Drysuit?

Drysuits are usually used for scuba diving in waters below 60° F (15° C) or if planning to dive for extended periods of time.

Remember water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air. So even if the water isn’t below the typical threshold for drysuit diving, many divers will opt for a drysuit to make sure they’re comfortable.

What temperature you need for diving in a drysuit will completely depend on your personal tolerance for the cold. Some divers are happy diving in a thick wetsuit in water temperatures as low as 50° F (10° C). While others will reach for a drysuit as soon as the water drops below 75° F (24° C).

So it really depends on how much you feel the cold and how long you’ll be in the water.

How Tight Should A Drysuit Be?

The seals of a drysuit should be a snug fit but not uncomfortable. If you’re new to diving in a drysuit, a snug neck seal might feel a little uncomfortable out of the water. But once you’re submerged, a properly fitting neck seal is comfortable.

The main body of a drysuit should not be tight. A drysuit needs to be loose enough to allow you to wear enough insulating layers and move freely. If the drysuit becomes tight when adding undergarments or moving around then you should go up a size.

What Should You Wear Under A Drysuit?

A drysuit will keep you dry but not warm. It’s waterproof and windproof but doesn’t provide any insulation. If you don’t wear anything under your drysuit you’ll probably get rather cold! So you should wear additional layers underneath your drysuit to keep you warm.

Although a drysuit seals the water out, it’s still likely you’ll get a little damp from perspiration or if there’s a tiny leak.

Therefore the best type of clothing to wear under a drysuit is made from materials that still insulate when wet.

Anything made of fleece, wool, or polypropylene is great. But not cotton. Take a look at some of the available types of drysuit undergarments.

For diving in extremely cold water, it’s recommended you wear a one-piece undersuit. This is basically a sleeping bag with arms and legs that you wear underneath your drysuit. With varying thicknesses available you’ll be nice and toasty throughout your dive.

Do You Wear A BCD With A Drysuit?

Yes, you definitely need to wear a BCD with a drysuit. When scuba diving with a drysuit you still use your BCD to control your buoyancy.

The only reason you add air to your drysuit to equalize the pressure inside the drysuit at depth and help keep you warm.

You want to have the minimum amount of air inside your drysuit, just enough to be comfortable and prevent a drysuit squeeze.