Smart Shopping for Dry Suits

Overview
The dry suit is a type of suit that is used in many water activities. It differs from the well-known wetsuit in that the dry suit doesn’t allow any water inside whatsoever. The wet suit insulates the water once it comes in, whereas a tight seal around the neck, wrists and ankles of the dry suit keeps the water out completely. Meanwhile, the air that is trapped inside the suit keeps the wearer warm.

What to Look For
Thickness and fit are the most important considerations when choosing a dry suit. What thickness you opt for depends on your tolerance to the cold; however, experts say that picking a thicker suit is best if you have any doubts. The hood of the suit is important as well: A lot of body heat can be lost through the head, and this can make for a very cold dive without the proper hood. For warm-water dives, you might merely need a short suit without a hood. It will be inexpensive, lighter and easy to put on. Your legs and arms will be exposed, but this shouldn't matter in warmer water. Full suits offer the best thermal and physical protection. Some people might not find a high collar comfortable; they should choose a two-piece front-zipped suit.

The fit is very important: No matter how great the suit is, an improper fit will ruin your dive. Choose a suit that is not too restrictive or uncomfortable. There should be no major gaps in the armpit or crotch areas. The neck should be snug but not too restrictive, either. Some suits feature adjustable neck attachments. Make sure the wrists and ankles are very smooth, to prevent any water from seeping in. Experts recommend that you choose a size smaller than normal if you find yourself pulling a zipper together to close it. Go up a size if it zips too easily.

Common Pitfalls
The durability of a suit can be greatly affected by its stitching. Glued and taped stitching is inexpensive, but it's not strong and won't last long. Zigzag stitching is quite strong, but its drawback is that, if one part of the stitching fails, the whole seam may come apart. Blind stitching is very strong. The material is glued and stitched with interlocking threads. Go for this type of suit, which is durable and flexible. A good suit with lots of layering is also a wise choice.