Wetsuits vs Drysuits: Which Suits Your Needs? A P&B Guide
Comfort is everything when it comes to performing your best on the water. At P&B, we’re all about keeping you kitted out with top-quality sailing gear that works as hard as you do. Wondering whether a wetsuit or drysuit is right for you? Let’s break it down, so you’re ready to tackle the water with confidence and ease.
With our range of wetsuits and drysuits catering to men, women and junior sizes, you can find the perfect water gear regardless of age or ability.
Table of Contents
- What is the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?
- What is a wetsuit used for?
- What is a drysuit used for?
- Wetsuit or drysuit?
- Choose your favourite wetsuit or drysuit from P&B!
What is the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?
The first key distinction between wetsuits and drysuits is, of course, highlighted in their names. It is important to establish their key differences to determine what is best for you. Aside from their features, you should also gauge the time of year, the sport you are partaking in, and the benefits you want to experience from your attire.
Materials
A good starting point when understanding the differences between wetsuits and drysuits is how they are constructed.
Wetsuits are usually made from neoprene, a rubber-like material often found as an insulating layer in other winter clothing. Wetsuits allow water to sit in a layer between your skin and the neoprene, your body doing the work to regulate the water temperature, helping you stay warm throughout your chosen activity.
The snug fit of a wetsuit is essential for this regulation to occur for maximum comfort while maintaining mobility in the water.
Alternatively, a drysuit is usually built of waterproof, breathable material with neoprene seals at the neck and wrists. Access to the suits are normally through large double zips on either the chest, shoulders or seat, with taped reinforced seams keeping the interior of the suit completely dry. Drysuits fit loosely, except for at the neck and wrists – more similar to wearing sailing salopettes and jackets rather than wetsuits, allowing space for insulated clothing to be worn underneath. Most drysuits will come with a fleece undersuit, alternatively you can add thermals or purchase a separate ‘woolly bear’ undersuit to keep you utterly snug even on the coldest winter days.
Drysuits are particularly great for getting youngsters to sail throughout the winter, especially beginners. The thought of plunging into the freezing water during a capsize is enough to put off the most enthusiastic newbie, however a decent drysuit with its fleece and additional cosy layers fends off most cold weather wobbles.
I buy my son foot and back warming heat patches and apply them between the thermal and fleece layers, boosting warmth under his drysuit. They last hours and in combination with the drysuit have easily seen him through a full day of Oppie sailing in very cool temperatures.
Kirsten, #TeamPB
Time of Year
The changing seasons will require you to alter your water wear to ensure you stay at safe and comfortable temperatures.
Our wetsuit collection is available in 1mm – 5mm thicknesses to help you easily identify the most appropriate fits throughout the year. A 1mm – 3mm wetsuit is perfect for summer, whereas anything from 3mm will ensure maximum insulation during colder conditions.
Suppose you prefer to be extra cool throughout the summer. In that case, we also stock shorty wetsuits to expose your arms and legs to the air, helping you feel comfortable in the summer sun without compromising protection or performance.
Sporting activities
Choose the best suit based on practicality, as different water sports require different features and physical demands. For example, protection from water spray vs insulation in water.
| Wetsuits | Drysuits |
| Bodyboarding | Dinghy Sailing |
| Jetskiing | |
| Paddleboarding | RIB / Powerboat Driving |
| Kite Surfing | |
| Dinghy Sailing | |
| Surfing | |
| Wakeboarding |
What is a wetsuit used for?
Aside from the sporting types that wetsuits are used for, there are other things to consider when choosing your suit.
Wetsuits are solely used for sports, requiring you to be in the water for long periods. For example, bodyboarding and surfing will mean constant contact with the water, meaning insulation is crucial. The material of your wetsuit helps to keep your body regulated, so your regular swimwear worn underneath your wetsuit is the only additional clothing you will need. If you’re sailing then you’ll want to top your wetsuit with either a spray top such as the Verso Lite Smock, or thermal spray top like the Champ Aqua Top from Musto, or the Annan Thermashield from Typhoon.
You should also note that your wetsuit’s construction supports your protection, with its rubber-like material offering some buoyancy. However, wetsuits will not offer enough protection independently, so you must include buoyancy aids in your water sports gear collection.
What is a drysuit used for?
A drysuit is the ideal option when things get cooler. A reliable suit for temperatures of 18°C or cooler, a drysuit helps you stay warm throughout your sail in spite of the poor conditions. You’ll be able to fend off cold rain and splashes from choppy waves with ease thanks to the external waterproof properties.
Feel secure, comfortable and warm thanks to the cohesive design of a top-quality drysuit. The neoprene seals at the wrists and neck prevent any water from entering the suit and impacting your body temperature. While wetsuits use neoprene to warm up water inside your suit, drysuits work to keep all water out and keep you warm with thicker outer layers.
Wetsuit or drysuit?
Need one final reminder of everything we have outlined? Check out the table to find all of our advice in one place!
| Wetsuits | Drysuits | |
| Purpose | Water access regulates temperature and creates an insulating layer between your body and suit. | Their waterproof design keeps you completely dry, offering a watertight outfit. |
| Suitability | To be used in sports that require you to be in direct contact with the water frequently. | More suited to dinghy sailing where keeping warm and completely dry in cold conditions is essential to your performance. |
| Season | All year round, with necessary alterations to the thickness and length of your suit. Thermal base layers, accessories and insulating tops are a must in the colder months. | Autumn, Winter and Spring. Any challenging conditions where a thermal spray top wouldn’t offer enough warmth or protection from wind and water. Some drysuits come with an undersuit, but you can buy these separately and offer even more warmth if you add a thermal layer underneath. |
Choose your favourite wetsuit or drysuit from P&B.
Are you are ready to purchase your favourite styles?
Our collection of wetsuits features iconic sailing brands, such as Gill, Musto, Typhoon and Zhik, providing you with comfort, confidence and quality in equal measure.
If your sport, or the season, requires complete protection from water, our drysuits are available in black, blue and red designs, allowing you to embed practicality and personalisation into your sailing gear.
Browse our brilliant range of wetsuits and drysuits today and receive exclusive offers and insight when you subscribe to our newsletter!
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