Feet Wet in Drysuit - Leaky or Sweat?

[cadiver67]

Howdy All,

I used my USIA drysuit for the first time on Sunday.
Was really cool - no leaks anywhere on my upper body.

The strange thing was that my feet were soaking wet - both of them.
The drysuit has attached boots
I had on 2 pairs of regular old white gym socks.

Does anybody elses feet sweat in their drysuit - I can't tell if it was a leak or not.

I am a little suspicious about a leak because when I got the drysuit the boots were the wrong size and had to go back to get new boots put on.

But it would be strange that they would attach both boots badly so it would leak in both boots.

I did not take off my drysuit all day until after my 3rd dive - so maybe it was just sweat?

Anyone else have this happen?

 

[do it easy]

It could be sweat, since it seems odd that both boots would leak at the same time.

You could fill your drysuit feet with water and watch for leaks. It helps if the suit is bone dry on the outside to make it easier to see the wet spots.

 

[ghostrunner007]

In My Polar Flex my feet and back get wet but I wouldnt say soaking wet from sweat, I would do the following:

1. Attach a bungie or an elastic band around each leg about a foot above the boots
2. Then put the boot into a tub of water and squeeze the air into the boot

If you see bubbles then you have a leak if not I guess its just sweat.

 

[Ocean One]

Highly likely sweat. Avoid cotton and switch to sweat (moisture) wicking or wool blend sock. Been there done that!!

 

[timle]

I got my drysuit in the summer time. After a few pool sessions I was convinced it was leaking - I got it used. It took 2 cans of beer and an AL80 to convince me otherwise. Put the beer cans in the wrist seals, put the AL80 in the neck seal. Attach first stage to AL80, attach inflator hose to drysuit. Inflate. Spray suspected area with mixture of soap and water. Look for bubbles.

I found none. Upon diving when it was cooler out - so no sweat before or after the dive - I was bone dry.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Simple and quick but not for the squeamish test is to smell and if necessary taste the liquid in your boots. Sweat and sea water smell different. Even most fresh water is different than sweat.

Lots faster than the Fill The Suit method.

Yes, this happens to many people I know. They just sweat in their boots. Very common up in my country with winter boots. That's why we change socks so often.

 

[do it easy]

Hey, I'm eating lunch here!!!

 

[ArcticDiver]

Like I said.....

 

[Ocean One]

I Know AK is a remote part of this Country, but I'm NEVER gonna be tasting ANYTHING that comes outta my drysuit!!!

 

[ArcticDiver]

Hmmmm...Fessing up to something are we?