wetsuit Archives - Hazeadventure

Wetsuit vs Drysuit: What’s the difference between wetsuit and drysuit?

Ken Whiting — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 18:01:14 +0000

When paddling in cold conditions, some kind of technical getup will be necessary to keep you safe and comfortable. But choosing between a wetsuit vs drysuit can be a bit confusing, and also subjective. I wanted to share my personal thoughts, to help you get an idea of what might work best for you.

Don't put that kayak into storage! There are ways to have fun on the water, even when it's chilly. Cold water kayaking means choosing between wetsuit vs drysuit.

Wetsuit vs drysuit tip: wetsuits trap water between you and the suit keeping it (and you) warm

Wetsuits keep you warm

Wetsuits are tightly-fitting body coverings made of neoprene. They are designed to keep you warm while paddling, surfing, swimming, or scuba diving in cooler conditions. When the suit gets wet, it holds a thin layer of water between it and your skin. Your body will then heat this fluid, which creates a warm cocoon.

Snug fitted wetsuits insulate better

The catch is that the suit has to be tight, otherwise that layer of liquid insulation won't stay in place. A loose fitted wetsuit will be constantly flushed with fresh, cold water. Purchasing a wetsuit that fits tightly means that as we grow (i.e. either a child who is maturing or an adult who is…umm…expanding), wetsuits will have to be replaced with bigger sizes that fit.

Wetsuits enhance flotation

The big advantage to wetsuits is that they enhance flotation. Extra flotation without impeding too much range of motion, if you can tolerate a thinner design. This is a major reason why they're so popular amongst surfers. Wetsuits are also less expensive and can be repaired easier than drysuits.

What are the different types of wetsuits?

Wetsuit vs drysuit tip#2: there are different types of wetsuits like this wet suit without arms called a “Farmer John”

Wetsuits come in a variety of sizes/options/thicknesses. The style with long legs and shoulder straps is typically called a “Farmer John.” If you're in cooler waters, then you may also want to wear a wetsuit top with a long-sleeves. Wetsuit tops sometimes are worn in conjunction with a simple bathing suit bottom. There's also the classic “Shorty” wetsuit, which essentially connects a neoprene t-shirt and shorts in one continuous piece.

Drysuit vs Wetsuit

Wetsuit vs drysuit tip #3: I have used the same drysuit for over 15 years and don't own a wetsuit.

I've been primarily using the same drysuit for over 15 years. And to be perfectly honest, I no longer own a wetsuit. I've gotten soft over the years. Even though I've enjoyed some wild paddling adventures in places like the Arctic, and the Grand Canyon during Christmas, I've still developed a strong preference for staying dry.

Budget boater vs Comfort boater

When I was younger, I only used wetsuits. Wetsuits work perfectly fine as long as they're sized properly. The the main downside is that they have to be wet in order to keep you warm. I don't want to be wet anymore so I prefer the drysuit.

Maintenance of the drysuit is key

If your drysuit is in good condition (click here to learn about drysuit maintenance) then you should be able to step out of it after a solid paddling session without having a drop of water on your clothes. And if you opt for the built in foot covers (rather than ankle gaskets), then you can wear a pair of cozy socks, and keep your toes just as dry as the rest of your body.

Drysuits are easier to get into and out of vs wetsuits

Another advantage that drysuits have over wetsuits is that they're much easier to get in and out of. This means less of a struggle on the bookends of an otherwise fun paddling day, and also much less of a panic when Mother Nature calls (which tends to happen more often when it's cold out). Oh, and while we're on the subject, spend the extra dough and get a drysuit with a “relief zipper.” You won't regret it.

Maintenance of the zippers on a drysuit

A minor drawback to drysuits is that the heavy-duty zippers do need to be maintained and lubed up in order to function properly over time.

Drysuits cost more than wetsuits

The one major con of drysuits is how expensive they are. A good drysuit (and I do recommend you commit to something high-quality if you go down this road) will push you north of $1,000 (USD). However, if you treat it well, you'll get years and years and years of extended paddling seasons, and exciting cold-weather expeditions out of your purchase.

Drysuits are great for whitewater kayaking

Does a drysuit keep you warm?

On its own, a drysuit is designed to not only keep you dry (no surprise there) but also to have some insulating properties. But the real comfort comes from the layers you choose to wear underneath. Since a drysuit fits so much looser than a wetsuit, a full range of cold-weather apparel can be worn (or not worn) underneath. It all depends on the conditions, and how hot your personal furnace burns.

I hope that helps you make sense of this important paddler's crossroads. If you're still a young-pup, or more stoic than I am, then a wetsuit might be the way to go. But if you're like me, and just want to stay dry at all costs, then maybe the drysuit will be your preference too. Either way I hope this article helped you answer wetsuit vs drysuit.

NOTE: These are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!

Dry Suits: NRS Axiom, Level Six Emperor
Kayaks: Jackson Kayak Rockstar, Jackson Kayak Antix
Paddles: Aqua Bound

In that case, you may want to check out my review of the NRS Axiom and Level Six Emperor drysuits. And as always, head on over to PaddleTV for a steady stream of fun and informative paddling content.

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Level Six Emperor Drysuit Review

Ken Whiting — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 17:06:20 +0000

What is a Drysuit?

“They’re waterproof suits that are designed to keep you completely dry.

If you’re not familiar with drysuits, here’s what you should know. Drysuits are the ultimate protection against cold water, cold weather, or a combination of the two. The idea behind drysuits is pretty simple. They’re waterproof suits that are designed to keep you completely dry. Theoretically, you should be able to get into a dry suit with your street clothes, and then hop out at the end of a long, wet day of paddling completely dry.

Drysuit or Wetsuit?

“While drysuits are considerably more expensive than wetsuits, their primary benefit is obvious – they keep you dry and arguably more comfortable.”

Both drysuits and wetsuits are good solutions for paddling in cold, or extreme cold, conditions. Wetsuits are designed to provide insulation and warmth when they’re wet. Drysuits keep you warm by keeping you dry. The benefit of wetsuits is that they’re more affordable than drysuits, and they fit like a glove on the body. While drysuits are considerably more expensive than wetsuits, their primary benefit is obvious – they keep you dry and arguably more comfortable. A drysuit also provides more versatility, because you can use as many (or few) layers as required underneath them to accommodate the conditions.

Who Are Drysuits For?

“Drysuits are a good option for people who get cold very easily and for people who want to extend their paddling season.”

Drysuits are a good option for people who get cold very easily and for people who want to extend their paddling season. When air temperatures or water temperatures approach freezing, drysuits aren’t just a matter of convenience and comfort, they’re a matter of absolute safety. Without an appropriate wet suit or dry suit, swimming from your kayak could quickly result in hypothermia, which can be a deadly condition.

The Level Six Emperor Drysuit

“The Emperor is a paddler’s drysuit that’s designed to withstand any weather that you can throw at it.”

Level Six's Emperor drysuit isn’t a new piece of gear, but it has been updated for 2021. The Emperor is a paddler’s drysuit that’s designed to withstand any weather that you can throw at it. It’s for whitewater kayakers, sea kayakers, canoeists, or even flatwater paddlers who want to continue paddling when the water or weather turns cold.

The Emperor dry suit retails for $1300 Canadian dollars. It has latex wrist and neck gaskets that are covered by neoprene gasket protectors. It has a rear entry zipper, as well as a relief zipper. The suit has cordura reinforced shoulders, elbows, knees, and seat, and features 3-ply, built-in socks.

The Level Six Emperor Dry Suit Gear Test

“In my opinion, the Emperor’s fit is very good, and the sizing is what I would expect.”

The only way to effectively test a dry suit is to take it for a swim, and so that’s what I did. In fact, I took it for two swims – the first on flat water, and the second through a significant rapid on the Ottawa River. Here’s what I can tell you from the testing I did…

I’m 6’2” (with long legs and arms) and 195 pounds and the dry suit I tested was an extra-large. I felt that it fit me pretty much perfectly. It felt too big and baggy when I initially put it on, but that’s natural for a drysuit designed for paddling. Not only do you need extra space in the suit to add additional layers for the really cold days, but you need the extra space to accommodate the sitting position you’ll assume in the kayak. If the suit feels perfectly fitted standing up, that often means you’ll get tightness in the feet, legs or back of the suit when sitting down. While paddling, the articulated elbows and back offered great range of motion. In my opinion, the Emperor’s fit is very good, and the sizing is what I would expect.

Is the Emporer Drysuit effective?

“Emperor drysuit did its job wonderfully”

An effective dry suit should keep you dry on the inside. After my whitewater swim, I wasn’t completely dry, but that’s due to user error. I made the rookie mistake of allowing a portion of my underlayer shirt sneak out under the wrist gasket. This shirt acted like a wick, allowing a little bit of water into the arm of the suit. That aside, the Emperor drysuit did its job wonderfully, as I was otherwise dry.

Is the Emperor Drysuit worth the price?

“I can confidently say that the Emperor does offer very good overall value.”$1300 Canadian dollars, which is about $1050 USD at the writing of this review, is a lot of money. But for a high-quality dry suit it is actually a very good deal. In fact, the Emperor is one of the less expensive dry suits in its class. Many comparable drysuits will cost $100 to $300 more. Furthermore, with its Cordura reinforced knees, elbows and seat, the Emperor has the feel of a drysuit that will last a very long time. Of course, only time will tell. Based on the dry suit’s performance and durability, I can confidently say that the Emperor does offer very good overall value.

To sum it all up, the Level Six Emperor Drysuit is a solidly built and high-performing dry suit and, in my opinion, worth the investment. But the bigger question might be whether or not any dry suit is worth the hefty price tag. The answer to that question is very simple. If you're going to be dealing with extreme cold conditions, then a wetsuit or drysuit isn’t just a luxury, it's a safety necessity. The question you have to answer is whether the additional comfort is worth the extra cost of a drysuit (rather than just sticking with a wetsuit). For me, it is. But that decision may not be the right one for everyone.

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I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information, check out my gear reviews, tips, and adventures on PaddlingTV.

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