Wetsuit vs Drysuit: Which Do You Need for Scuba Diving?

A wetsuit lets a thin layer of water in and uses neoprene to slow heat loss, while a drysuit seals water out and keeps you warm with the undergarments you wear inside it. Wetsuits suit warm and temperate water. Drysuits are the better choice for cold water, long dives and multiple dives in a day.

Aquatic Sports has been outfitting divers since 1966, with decades of cold-water diving in the Pacific Northwest behind our advice, and we ship wetsuits and drysuits anywhere in the U.S. This guide compares the two on warmth, buoyancy, fit, cost and care so you can match your exposure protection to the water you actually dive.

What is the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?

The difference is how each suit handles water. A wetsuit holds a thin layer of water against your skin, and the neoprene slows how fast your body loses heat to it. A drysuit uses seals at the neck and wrists, a waterproof zipper and attached boots or socks to keep you completely dry.

What wetsuit thickness do you need?

Thickness is the main way to adjust a wetsuit's warmth. The ranges below are a common starting point. Go a step warmer if you chill easily or plan several dives a day.

In cooler water, add a hood, gloves and boots from our Hoods, Gloves & Boots collection. Fit matters as much as thickness. A wetsuit should be snug at the neck, wrists and lower back, since loose spots let cold water flush through the suit.

How does a drysuit keep you warm?

The drysuit keeps you dry, and your undergarments keep you warm. Trilaminate and other shell-style drysuits add very little insulation on their own, so you can wear a light layer in summer and a heavier one in winter without buying a second suit. Neoprene drysuits add some insulation of their own but are heavier and take longer to dry.

Use undergarments designed for drysuit diving and follow the manufacturer's sizing guidance. Your suit needs enough room for those layers without being so loose that air shifts around during the dive.

Is a wetsuit or drysuit better for cold-water diving?

For cold water, a drysuit is usually the better choice. Staying dry keeps you warmer through long dives, surface intervals and second dives, and you can change your layers as the seasons change. A thick wetsuit with a hood and gloves works for many divers in temperate water, especially on shorter dives. Our Cold Water Diving 101 guide covers the rest of a cold-water kit.

How does buoyancy change in a drysuit?

In a drysuit, you manage two air spaces: your BCD and the suit itself. As you descend, the air in the suit compresses, so you add a little through the inflator valve to stay comfortable. As you ascend, that air expands and you release it through the exhaust valve.

Wetsuit divers deal with buoyancy changes too, because neoprene compresses at depth, but there's no air space in the suit to control. Drysuits usually need more weight, and your weighting changes with your undergarments, so do a weight check before your first dive in a new setup.

Do you need training to dive in a drysuit?

Yes. Drysuit training teaches you to add and vent air, hold your trim and handle problems like a stuck inflator or air moving to your feet. Take a drysuit course before your first open water dive in one. If you're near Portland, Aquatic Sports offers a Dry Suit Diving specialty course for certified divers, with practice in our heated indoor pool before you head to open water.

Which costs more, a wetsuit or a drysuit?

Drysuits cost more up front. Seals, a waterproof zipper, valves and boots add materials and construction, and you'll also need undergarments. Wetsuits cost less and need less upkeep, which makes them the easier starting point if most of your dives are in warm or temperate water.

If you dive cold water often, a drysuit tends to pay off because one suit covers the whole year. You can spread out a bigger purchase with Affirm or Synchrony financing.

How do you choose between a wetsuit and a drysuit?

Start with the water you dive most. A wetsuit is probably the right fit if:

• Most of your dives are in water above the mid-60s °F
• You mainly dive on warm-water vacations
• You want a simpler, lower-cost setup with nothing new to learn
• You want gear that packs small for travel

A drysuit is probably the right fit if:

• You dive regularly in cold water
• You make long dives or several dives a day
• You want one suit you can layer for every season
• You're ready to take drysuit training

How do you care for a wetsuit and a drysuit?

Rinse both in fresh water after every dive day and dry them out of direct sun. Hang a wetsuit on a wide hanger so the shoulders don't crease. A drysuit needs more attention: rinse the zipper and valves, lubricate the zipper as the manufacturer directs and check the seals for cracks or tears before each trip. If a seal or zipper needs work, our maintenance and repair team can help.

Shop wetsuits and drysuits at Aquatic Sports

Aquatic Sports carries wetsuits and drysuits from brands like Bare and Akona, along with the hoods, gloves and boots that go with them, and we ship anywhere in the U.S. Browse our wetsuits and drysuits, or call (503) 245-4991 to talk through sizing and thickness with a certified scuba professional. If you're near Portland, you can rent gear and try it in our heated pool before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a drysuit warmer than a wetsuit?

Yes, in most cold-water conditions. A drysuit keeps you dry and lets you add insulating layers, while a wetsuit always has some water against your skin. How warm you stay still depends on your undergarments and the water temperature.

Can you wear a wetsuit under a drysuit?

It isn't recommended. Neoprene compresses at depth and loses insulation, and it adds buoyancy you have to manage. Undergarments made for drysuit diving are the better choice.

Is a drysuit harder to dive than a wetsuit?

It takes some practice because you manage air in the suit as well as in your BCD. After a drysuit specialty course and a few dives, most divers find it comfortable.

What water temperature do you need a drysuit for?

Many divers switch to a drysuit when water drops below roughly 55 to 60°F, or for long and repeat dives in cooler water. Personal comfort varies, so some divers switch sooner.

What wetsuit thickness should I get for scuba diving?

A 3 mm suit is common for water above about 72°F, a 5 mm suit for roughly 65 to 72°F and a 7 mm suit or semi-dry for colder water. Add a hood and gloves as the water cools.