What’s the difference between a drysuit and a wetsuit?

A wetsuit keeps you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between your body and the neoprene. Your body heats that water, and the suit’s insulation slows how quickly it is replaced. A drysuit, on the other hand, keeps you completely dry. It seals at the wrists and neck and uses air trapped inside for insulation instead of water. You wear undergarments beneath a drysuit to control warmth.

By Tyler AllisonUpdated December 6, 2025

The choice between them depends on water temperature and personal comfort. Most divers use wetsuits in water 65°F (18°C) and warmer, and switch to drysuits when it gets colder. Drysuits require separate training because the added air space changes buoyancy control, but they allow diving year-round in almost any temperature.

I dive in both, depending on the environment. In moderate water I prefer a wetsuit for simplicity and mobility. In cold water, a drysuit is the only way to stay warm enough to focus and enjoy the dive.