Drysuit Diving in Cold Water

Santi - E.Lite+ Drysuit

A rugged yet flexible drysuit ideal for cold-water diving with semi-custom fit and long-term reliability.

4th Element - Rock Hopper

Flexible, minimalist drysuit footwear that solves ankle restriction without sacrificing fin control.

Fourth Element - Arctic Top/Bottom

A robust, all-purpose undergarment for drysuit diving across a wide range of conditions. Warm, reliable, and easy to layer with, the Arctic was my first undergarment purchase and remains one of the most versatile pieces in my kit.

Fourth Element - Halo AR Gloves

Generic - Wool Sport Socks

H2 - Short Bib 5/7mm

A surprisingly comfortable and effective cold water hood that balances warmth, fit, and ease of use. It has become my go-to for drysuit diving. Ideal for divers who want a secure fit without claustrophobia or bulk.

- Silicon Spray

Santi - Heavy Duty Drysuit Gloves

ScubaPro - MK19 EVO / G260

Cold-water ready and turret-equipped, it delivers proven reliability and performance. I chose it for its serviceability, local support, and trusted track record among Lake Michigan divers and it hasn’t disappointed.

Halcyon - Stage SPG

The Halcyon Stage SPG is a compact brass analog pressure gauge known for clear markings, a rugged housing, and tempered glass. After testing two cheaper gauges, I moved to this model for its 500 PSI reserve band and reliable readability in low light. Below are the pros, tradeoffs, and how it has performed for me across fresh, cold, and warm salt water.

Halcyon - Long Hose Stick

A simple but flawless piece of kit, it provides perfect long hose retention without a canister light or tucking. It mounts cleanly to a backplate harness and never snags, slips, or fails. This is now my standard for all long hose dives.

xDeep - Zen - Stainless Steel

This stainless steel Zen has become my dedicated cold-water rig thanks to its stable trim, wide plate, and modular harness options. I originally tried the deluxe harness, but eventually switched to a standard webbing setup for cleaner light and accessory stowage.

Halcyon - Weighted Single Tank Adapter

Adds 6 pounds of non-ditchable ballast in line with your spine to reduce the need for weight around your hips and improve trim control.

xDeep - Belt Weight Pockets

These are xDeep’s dedicated system for harness-mounted ballast. They come in small (~6 lb) and large (~12 lb) versions and are designed to bolt directly to xDeep backplates. The inner weight pouch slides into a soft sleeve and is locked in place with a webbing buckle that threads through a fabric handle. This design is extremely secure but makes underwater reinsertion difficult and slow. These pockets should be considered semi-ditchable at best. Rigging is clean and modular — but only if you're already using an xDeep backplate.

xDeep - Trim Weight Pockets

xDeep's trim and Secure Weight Pockets have handled more than a hundred dives for me, covering quarry, wreck, and cenote dives. They integrate neatly with an xDeep backplate for both wetsuit and drysuit setups. Expect excellent modularity, but also a slow, deliberate weighting workflow.

OMS - Slipstream Fins

A reliable, medium-stiff paddle fin ideal for drysuit diving and long bottom times.

Atomic - Venom Frameless Mask

High-clarity frameless mask with exceptional comfort and prescription lens compatibility. Excellent fit for larger faces. Neoprene strap upgrade and bifocal lenses make it my primary mask, with a second non-Rx version always carried as a backup.

Stream2Sea - Mask Defog

My go-to anti-fog solution for both freshwater and saltwater dives. It outperforms spit and baby shampoo, holds up better if your mask floods or gets dunked, and is the only defog I trust to be safe for aquatic environments. Not cheap, but absolutely worth it.

Shearwater - Perdix 2 + Air Integration

If you are looking for a dive computer you can rely on every single dive, the Shearwater Perdix 2 AI has earned that reputation. It is not trying to be fashionable or gadgety. It is built to deliver rock solid performance without clutter. After using it across drysuit dives in cold Midwestern quarries and reef dives in Fiji, I trust this computer more than anything else in my kit.

Suunto - SK8

One of the most reliable analog compasses available. It is fast-settling, highly accurate, and easy to read even in low visibility. I’ve used it on every dive for the past two years with a bungee mount and have never had a performance issue. If you want a compass that simply works, without bubbles, drift, or delay, this is it.

OrcaTorch - D720

A reliable, adjustable-beam primary dive light that performs across all environments. The Orcatorch D720 has been with me on every dive for over a year, delivering consistent brightness, flexible beam control, and durable construction. Whether I’m diving cold quarries, guiding students, or traveling for warm water, this light adapts to the conditions and never lets me down.

Nammu Tech - Hard Goodman Handle

OrcaTorch - D710

A compact, budget-friendly dive light that exceeded expectations across 100 dives. The Orcatorch D710 was my primary for a full year and now serves as a trusted backup on every dive. With solid brightness, dependable performance, and zero failures, it remains a simple but reliable part of my core kit.

Faber - HP100 Steel Tanks (DIN)

Reliable, compact, and a favorite among cold water divers. The HP100 offers a big step up from AL80s in gas volume, buoyancy characteristics, and cold water compatibility without adding bulk.

Trilobite - Cutting Tool

- Emergency Whistle

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB (slim)

Halcyon - Defender Spools

Highland - Deluxe Wet Notes

A dependable, pocket-sized underwater notebook that have earned a permanent place in my dive kit. I’ve used them for mapping, communication, and training dives across a wide range of conditions without a single issue. The Cordura cover, waterproof pages, and internal bungee loop keep everything secure and usable, even in cold or overhead environments. I swapped the pencil for a graphite one, but otherwise left it stock. The clear internal sleeve adds optional versatility. For divers who write underwater regularly, this is one of the best-value options available.

Rainleaf - Microfiber Towel

xDeep - Bolt Snaps

Premium build quality, glove-friendly usability, and consistent performance across all environments. After over 100 dives using all sizes in both recreational and technical roles, they’ve replaced every other snap in my kit. The slightly larger gate gap and easier-to-grip trigger make them worth the modest price difference, especially in cold water or when wearing thick gloves. They’ve proven completely reliable with zero corrosion or spring failure. If you want one bolt snap to trust across your entire rig, this is it.