Undergarments

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Is Merino wool actually better at wicking than polyester?

 

[DCN]

Not sure if it's better or not, but merino does absorb (and hold) quite a bit of moisture before feeling damp to the touch, whereas polyester does not absorb, it wicks and evaporates to the next layer. If the next layer is the inside of a drysuit, we suspect a polyester base layer might feel damp after a while.

Please do correct us if we are wrong

 

[Rich1280]

Merino is generally effective at wicking with the right knit, but you can sweat it out if its high exertion pass times, generally not a problem diving. I find decent merino as good as most wicking T shirts, but not as good as the Helly Hansen Lifa, which I generally think is about as good as it gets.
Merino is warm and doesn't itch which is nice, and doesn't smell, but can be a little fragile in the laundry so needs looking after. I find a high merino low polyester blend more durable and still effective. Look at SmartWool and IceBreaker for very high quality pure merino products. HH do a merino mix which is quite nice. I've got some other brands that are variable depending on product though.

I think I'm in a minority in that I don't like layers of thermals. I find they bind as you move so you end up restricted. I prefer a mid or heavier weight base layer, then a mid or heavier weight undersuit, and then heating if needed. just adjust amongst combos of 2 layers or find a slippery layer. Multiple layers around the shoulders really seem to bind me up for reaching my valves as they all have friction against each other.

Rich

 

[VikingDives]

Is Merino wool actually better at wicking than polyester?

No, but it retains heat better when wet.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

No, but it retains heat better when wet.

Roger that!

 

[Manatee Diver]

Is Merino wool actually better at wicking than polyester?

In my experience no. I use 250gr Merino wool and the Fourth Element J2s interchangeably as my base layers.

J2s are dryer but they are colder. They can also weave in the elastic into it so they are form fitting.

Merino wool I don't feel damp to the skin but they actually hold moisture instead of wicking it to the insulating layer. So I can use as my only layer when diving dry in warm water. I also feel a touch warmer when wearing them. Merino wool also comes in different weights so I have a 450gr set to use a base layers when diving in the Mill Pond.

 

[VikingDives]

I’m taking my drysuit class tomorrow and have been looking at undersuits for after the class. I’d like to stay in the cheaper side and I will be diving in 50-60f water(in MA) and anything higher I will be in a semi-dry. What would people recommend? Would a weezle be a good idea, if so which one?

I'm not a fan of scuba undergarments, as they tend to be ridiculously expensive. I'd recommend the layering approach as well. For my dives at 61f I like to use a polyester underlayer, followed by 2, 300 gram fleece undergarments (look for the kayaking ones - much less expensive in my experience), followed by a polyfill jacket that my wife found at Costco.

If I'm getting into longer than 2 hour dives, I'll add a merino wool layer below the fleece.

Thick wool socks will also be a good investment.

Everyone has a different level of cold tolerance, so having lots of layers will be an advantage in the long run, as you'll be able to adjust your undergarments to the environment.

 

[San Diego Climber]

IME wool takes longer to develop BO/sweat smell, and when it does it doesn't retain it after a wash (compare to synthetics which can get a baseline perma-stench).

I have SmartWool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer (top and bottom) which are a bit $ but I think I end-of-season sale or Black Friday'd mine.

 

[rrw1987]

I’m taking my drysuit class tomorrow and have been looking at undersuits for after the class. I’d like to stay in the cheaper side and I will be diving in 50-60f water(in MA) and anything higher I will be in a semi-dry. What would people recommend? Would a weezle be a good idea, if so which one?

Hi Jackson,

Great to see a fellow New England Diver! I do most of my diving out of Cape Ann Ma. I bought my first dry suit (DUI trilam) in Oct 2022. I have about 110 dives on it so far.

• MY Undergarments:
  • I use a smartwool midweight base layer, the DUI Duotherm II 300gram weight top bottom & Vest I also use rag wool gloves with drygloves.
  • I find this to be comfortable April through November. December through March use santi heated gloves in combination with Smart Tex heated pads on my Torso with the same undergarment set up.
• Things I would consider when starting out with a drysuit
  • Dont switch back to your wetsuit during the summer. Keep practicing with your drysuit.
  • You will want a back up drysuit. I don't make that much money so I took a second job (think about this early and start saving for not one but two suits)