Wet or drysuit in New Zealand?

[AndyNZ]

Does it make sense to wear some undergarments under a wetsuit for insulation? I know it's all wet, but would, let say, a t-shirt (or more) be any comfort?

Yes and no. I tend to wear a nylon rash vest - more for comfort than warmth. It's a smooth material and the seams tend to be worn away from the skin to avoid rubbing.

If you're interested in warmth, have a look at this:

http://www.fourthelement.com/content.php?content=home.php

I wear fourth element gear under my drysuit and I know people who wear it under their wetsuits. It's claimed to be neutrally bouyant (slightly far fetched IMHO, but I do wear less weight in my drysuit than with a conventional undersuit) and makes a huge difference to warmth - around the same as another 3mm of neoprene. It's good stuff!

 

[Azza]

You can also try Thermal Underwear. Just drop down to the Warehouse or somewhere similar and by polypropelene shirt and long johns. They work great.

I personally use a Merino Thermal top and that works fantastic.

 

[aquakiwi]

Wearing clothing such as a T shirt under your wetsuit does help by restricting the flow of water within the suit. As for wetsuit/drysuit going by this year (so far) and the previous, I'd wear a drysuit at least up until close to Christmas. Drysuits are quite good
even in summer you just need to wear less under them. Thermal underwear as Azza
stated is a good cheap alternative and its what I use.