Wetsuit vs Drysuit while in Cold Water

[TMHeimer]

There are several factors I would consider. The drysuit cost, of course. Also, how often do you dive when the air temp. is cold enough to make you remove the wetsuit (or part of it) in order to stay or get warm between dives? Is the "warm" season long enough to get enough diving in and then maybe plan a winter trip down south? I will add that I have dived in 33-35F water in my 7 mil farmer john, which is no big deal as they were done one 20 minute dive a day from my basement. But it kept me diving. I found that 3 fingered mitts made a really big difference on my coldest part-- hands.

 

[jIM STEELE]

its a tool take a dry suit class at your local shop then get a dry suit then get a good simi dry suit and pick the one for the job spend about $1600 for both and be happy

 

[eelnoraa]

Story 1: At depth, you are just as warm or warmer in you wetsuit, it's when you get out that hurts.

Assuming proper drysuit undergarment, this counldn't be further from the truth. Drysuit is at least as warm or warmer at shallow water. Drysuit is significantly warmer at depth. This is because wetsuit compress and loses it thermo protection, drysuit does NOT. Drysuit is also significantly warmer in surface interval.

 

[lowviz]

With the right undergarment, you should be able to have a complete flood and still stay reasonably warm at least long enough to complete your dive. ...//...

I layer Patagonia Capilene, wool, and Polartecs. Wool is the key and it is also the problem, hard to find the right stuff.

First, this has been solved before:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ex...-undergarment-alternatives-5.html#post3135604

The problem remains that you just can't get the good stuff in the USA. Closest I got was a fine group of Scottish lads that take credit cards over the phone:

Aclima - Norsk klimaundertøy - Nordic Outdoor

What I got: (note that the jacket is only for the surface interval)
[TABLE="width: 650"]
[TR]
[TH]Item
[/TH]
[TH]Sku
[/TH]
[TH]Qty
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mens 400g HotWool Jacket Without Hood
Size
L
[/TD]
[TD]ac068-3
[/TD]
[TD]1
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Unisex 230g HotWool Long Pants
Color
Olive
Size
L
[/TD]
[TD]ac063-Olive-L
[/TD]
[TD]1
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Unisex 230g HotWool Shirt Crew neck
Color
Olive
Size
L
[/TD]
[TD]ac064-Olive-L
[/TD]
[TD]1
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Aclima HotWool Ulfrotte Socks-44-48 (10-13)
[/TD]
[TD]ac045-44-48 (10-13)
[/TD]
[TD]1
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Bottom line:
tracydr, ever since my woolens arrived and got put to the test, you have NO idea of how much I agree with your post…

 

[Panama Jones]

There are several factors I would consider. The drysuit cost, of course. Also, how often do you dive when the air temp. is cold enough to make you remove the wetsuit (or part of it) in order to stay or get warm between dives? Is the "warm" season long enough to get enough diving in and then maybe plan a winter trip down south? I will add that I have dived in 33-35F water in my 7 mil farmer john, which is no big deal as they were done one 20 minute dive a day from my basement. But it kept me diving. I found that 3 fingered mitts made a really big difference on my coldest part-- hands.

I am not the most experienced diver in the world. I consider myself a newbie. But diving wet in the Jasper Alberta mountain lakes when the outside temp is cold (e.g. autumn at 45 degrees /9 Celsius) is:


1. Get dressed
2. Do dive
3. Get out of the water and peel off immediately (don't sit and shiver) - as for the outside temp, suck it up
4. Put on nice warm dry clothes
5. Warm up for a few hours before diving again

Anyone from Western US, Alberta or BC who dives the mountains wet in the fall will get this.

 

[Storker]

The problem remains that you just can't get the good stuff in the USA. Closest I got was a fine group of Scottish lads that take credit cards over the phone:

Aclima - Norsk klimaundertøy - Nordic Outdoor

Next time you've got those nice Scottish lads on the phone, treat yourself to a WoolNet set. It's the most amazing piece of underwear you can imagine. I'm using mine for hiking, hunting and SCUBA diving all year round.

 

[lowviz]

Thanks, I will. One of the kids has been dropping heavy hints about a fem jacket after trying mine...

 

[Storker]

It may be obvious, but I'll mention it anyway: The WoolNet usually needs an extra layer (or two) on top. On its own, it only works on warm(ish) days topside, and underwater only with a neoprene dry suit in Nordic summer water temps. If it's cold, or if you're using a trilam suit you need an extra layer or two. But the combination of wool fiber and mesh construction next to your skin is unbeatable. The wool keeps a lot of its insulating properties even when damp or wet, and the mesh keeps the garment from sticking to your skin and provides a layer of air instead of some damp cloth clinging to your skin and feeling yucky.

And unlike synthetics, it doesn't smell like ripe roadkill after extended use... :cool2:

 

[TravisD]

1. Get dressed
2. Do dive
3. Get out of the water and peel off immediately (don't sit and shiver) - as for the outside temp, suck it up
4. Put on nice warm dry clothes
5. Warm up for a few hours before diving again

I think you skipped a big #6 there, which would be "climb back into a cold damp suit" which is frequently the worst part regardless of air or water temps.

 

[fjpatrum]

I have never dove a drysuit. I have been in cold water in a full 7mm, then a 7mm step in vest (for 14mm) and hoodiesn gloves, and booties.

I am a little cold at 40 - 45 degrees (but tolerable) and comfortable at 45 to 55 degrees.

There are two stories I hear all the time. Story 1: At depth, you are just as warm or warmer in you wetsuit, it's when you get out that hurts. Story 2: I'll be way warmer in a drysuit at depth.

I dive the cold mountain lakes of Canada. In know enough to peel off the minute I am out of the water and get into something warm till the next dive regardlesz of the temp outside.

Any thoughts? Should I stay or should I go (dry)?

I haven't read the whole thread yet and I can't speak for everyone else but I'll give my (limited) experience.

I have about 6 cold water dives wet and 3 or 4 dry. At depth, diving wet, I never felt particularly cold (I was also wearing about 14mm on my core). I was reasonably warm except my hands (5mm gloves) and occasionally my feet (7mm booties with 1/2 mm socks). I was heavily encumbered due to the bulk of my gear and not particularly "comfortable" with respect to mobility. I was completely satisfied diving that way the rare times I dove <50* water. Though I didn't feel cold I was definitely losing core heat. As a result, my dive times were limited to ~30-35 minutes for my first dive before I started shivering and my second dives were shorter, usually around 20 minutes.

At depth, diving dry, I have never felt particularly cold, even with light to medium undergarments (150-200 grain). I was reasonably warm except my hands (same 5mm gloves). I was not heavily encumbered by bulk (tri-lam suit... haven't dove any crushed neoprene suits so I can't speak to those) and I am quite comfortable with respect to mobility. So far my dive times aren't limited by cold. I am much happier diving dry.

As for the getting out part, yes I am far more comfortable standing in 30-40* air in my drysuit than in my wetsuit.

The biggest factor for me, though, is the fact that I don't need a nap after two short dives when diving dry. When I dove wet, I'd come home and take a 2-3 hour nap, ruining the rest of my day with my family. I come home after dry dives and go outside and play with my kids.

For me the only reason I bought a dry suit is because I found one on craigslist for less than a decent wetsuit costs. That said, if it's within reason for your budget, I would recommend dry in a heartbeat.