Best Drysuits for Diving Cold &Warm Waters: Women, Men & Kids

When diving, surfing or carrying out any other activity in the water for extended periods of time, you need the right amount and type of cover with drysuits being the preferred attire for most people. With drysuits, you get to keep warm and dry no matter how deep you will be diving.

Finding the right drysuit for the specific water activity you have in mind requires putting into consideration some aspects such as the materials, seals, valves, dry zip, alterations and many other aspects. Given these aspects and the temperature of the water you’re diving in, you can find a drysuit for men, women and even the kids.

We tested more than 50 drysuits for men, women and children and came up with the list below. These are drysuits meant to provide comfort and assurance no matter the conditions you dive in. It’s up to you to find the right thickness for the specific purpose you’re diving in for the best experience.

AquaLung Fusion Bullet Drysuit – Men

First up is the very impressive AquaLung Fusion Bullet Drysuit made of high-quality neoprene materials. It comes with an integrated hood and boots as well. If you’re in the market for the complete package, then this is it.

AquaLung Drysuit Men Black
AquaLung

The most impressive feature on this drysuit is the dual-layer design which keeps you warm in the water and cool on land. The highly flexible material and comfortable build ensure easy movement and use for long hours without an issue. It’s also very easy to take off and put on.

Pros

  • Highly comfortable
  • Dual-layer construction for warmth in the water and coolness on land
  • Integrated hood and boots
  • Highly flexible for easy movements
  • Durable for long periods of use
  • Easily put on and taken off
  • Neoprene seals are flexible and watertight
  • 2 cargo pockets included

Cons

  • The dual-layer design requires lots of Velcro and zips which can be cumbersome.

This drysuit is a joy to use in cold waters. We love the ability to change the outer shell without the need to change the whole drysuit if the need arises.

Kokatat Women’s Hydrus Swift Entry Drysuit w/Drop Seat

For women, the Kokatat Hydrus is the best diving drysuit. It comes with a three-layer design with polyester on the backing and nylon on the facing. This makes it very warm thus reducing the need for thick undergarments.

Kokatat-Womens Entry Drysuit Blue
Kokatat

You also get flexible latex on the wrist and neck seals which makes them both comfortable and watertight. The front zipper makes it really easy to get in and out of the drysuit. For easier movement and bending, the rear of the drysuit has a drop seat.

Pros

  • The triple-layer design makes it quite warm reducing the need for thick undergarments.
  • Wrist and neck seals are watertight and comfortable.
  • Easy to get in and out of the drysuit.
  • Easy movement due to the drop sea on the rear.

Cons

  • No integrated boots.

A great drysuit for diving in cold water. The triple-layering is a genius idea that makes it easy to dive without the need to pile up on layers of undergarment.

SEAC Warmdry 4mm – Unisex

At 4mm of thickness, the SEAC Warmdry drysuit provides excellent warmth and doesn’t get heavy when diving for long periods of time. It has a trim look which makes it look good. The cargo pockets on either side of the drysuit are also very sturdy ensuring that any weight you carry around doesn’t become a nuisance in the water.

SEAC Drysuit
SEAC

The SEAC can be worn by both men and women given its unisex design. Just make sure the integrated boots and hood can fit your body right before using it. The rear zipper combined with the flxible and lightweight design make it easy to put on and take off.

Pros

  • Sturdy construction.
  • Unisex design can be used by both men and women.
  • Integrated boots save on usage costs.
  • Comfortable and watertight seals.
  • Lightweight and flexible design.

Cons

  • The boots have little grip.

Unless you will be doing lots of walking on the ocean floor where you need lots of grip from the boots, the SEAC is a great drysuit usable in many different scenarios.

Stohlquist Women’s Amp Drysuit

The yellow and black Stohlquist is one of the best drysuits when it comes to diving in cold waters. It’s made with four layers of material which ensures a high level of body-heat retention when diving. You thus need a single layer of undergarments to keep warm.

Stohlquist Women’s Drysuit
Stohlquist Amp

We love the fact that the seals on the neck and wrists are made with DuraSeal latex which is very durable and resistant to UV rays. As you might have already noted, UV rays are the worst enemy for drysuit seals and other forms of rubber. With a resistant set of seals, you’ll dive with confidence and for ages.

Pros

  • Four layers of materials keep you warm when diving.
  • Added pockets for extra items.
  • High quality seals are comfortable and watertight.
  • Seals resistant to tears and UV damage.
  • Comes with zipper lubricant.

Cons

  • The neck seal can be quite tight.

This drysuit has one of the best looks and quality and can get really warm hence recommended for the coldest of waters.

Hollis BTR500

The Hollis BTR500 could easily pass for a heavy combination of a jacket and cargo pants given its design. It has a front zip with a red and black color scheme which makes you stand out from other divers. The cargo pockets are also uniquely on the front of the thigh rather than on the side like other drysuits.

hollis btr 500
Hollis BTR 500 Drysuit

The Hollis BTR500 isn’t all just looks, however. It has integrated socks which cuts on the cost of diving socks. You also get three layers of materials making it quite warm in the water. Even with the three layers of materials, it’s still quite lightweight and won’t get baggy when in the water.

Pros

  • Easy to put on and get out of.
  • D-rings inside pockets.
  • Very durable materials.
  • Three layers of materials for warmth.
  • Unique design and features.
  • Resistant to tears and abrasions.

Cons

  • The pockets’ positioning needs getting used to.

If you’re looking for a drysuit with great features and a unique look to it, this is it.

Typhoon Junior Ezeedon Children Drysuit

If your kid lives diving, then the Ezeedon Drysuit is just what they need for their watery adventures. It’s a drysuit with double layers making it warm yet it’s still highly comfortable and flexible thanks to the pre-bent legs and arms. They can move about without issues whether on land or in the water.

Typhoon Kid's Drysuit
Typhoon Junior

The fabric is breathable making it easy to dry and comfortable on the skin. The knees and seat are PU reinforced for durability and longevity. With the added fabric socks, you need a few more items to be ready for the water. It comes in three sizes namely Jnr 5, Jnr M and Jnr XL with heights of 4’5”, 4’9” and 5’2” respectively.

Pros

  • Double layer for warmth.
  • Reinforced legs and arms for durability.
  • Included fabric socks.
  • Elasticated waist.
  • Pre-bent arms and legs.
  • Fron zip with cover.
  • Breathable fabric for comfort.
  • Internal braces.

Cons

  • You need to know your size well to be comfortable in it.

This is the very best for your kid no matter their gender.

Gill Junior Dinghy Sailing Drysuit– Black – Kids

If you need an even warmer drysuit for your child, the Gill Junior Dinghy Sailing Drysuit should be high on your priority list. It has 4 layers of materials making it one of the warmer drysuits on the market. It’s thus a good fit for the very cold of waters.

Gill Junior Dinghy Children's Drysuit
Gill Junior Dinghy

It also comes with adjustable braces, fabric socks and is breathable for quick drying and general comfort in the water. The fully taped seams keep out all the water making sure your child remains snuggly dry and warm inside.

Pros

  • 4-layer fabric construction ensures warmth.
  • Included fabric socks.
  • Breathable material for comfort and quick drying.
  • Has a flexible YKK Aquaseal waterproof zipper.
  • Adjustable braces.
  • Waterproof materials.
  • Fully taped seams make it waterproof.

Cons

  • None

All these drysuits have been tested numerous times to ascertain their quality and use case scenarios. In our expert opinion, they’re the best bet for anyone seeking to dive.

Buyer’s Guide

When going for a drysuit, consider the following aspects to make the right choice:

Drysuit materials

Different drysuit materials have different qualities in terms of durability, heat preservation and others. The main ones are neoprene, crushed neoprene, trilaminate and vulcanized rubber. The most popular ones are neoprene and trilaminate (laminate).

Neoprene drysuits are the most preferred due to being thicker and having the best thermal regulation properties. They’re also fitting in shape and are thus easier to move when wearing one. The downside to neoprene suits is that they’re easier to puncture compared to the other materials.

Trilaminate or membrane drysuits are made up of three distinct layers of materials making them much tougher to tear. They, however, have poor heat insulation and are thus made loose to allow for the addition of undergarments to keep you warm.

Your choice of materials will depend on the task at hand. If you dive in warm waters, trilaminate drysuits are the best as you won’t require much in terms of undergarments. If you’re to dive in cold waters, neoprene drysuits are your best fit. If the area you dive in is intoxicated or has sharp objects, a drysuit made of vulcanized rubber is your best bet.

The dry zip

Your drysuit needs the right type of dry zip to keep you dry. The concept comes from spacesuits where they’re also used to keep a tight seal on spacesuits. Your dry zip ought to keep you dry and make it easy to put on and take off the drysuit. Take good care of it since it’s quite costly to replace.

The location of the zipper should also be a factor to consider since they determine how good a zipper will be. There are front and back zippers and the choice depends on the user. Whether you choose one from the back or the front depends on which one you find easier to use. Generally, if you’re alone, the front zipper is much easier to use and manipulate.

Seals/gaskets

Seals are usually located on the neck, wrists and ankles to keep the water out. This ensures the inside of the drysuit is warm and dry at all times. The common types of seals for drysuits are the latex, silicone and neoprene ones.

When choosing them, you need to determine which ones are the best for you. For example, there are those who are allergic to either neoprene or latex. With most neoprene drysuits having neoprene seals and latex seals being on membrane or trilaminate drysuits, the choice is yours.

Valves

The valves on your drysuit allow you control the buoyancy and stay in comfortable in the water. First is the p-valve which allows you urinate while in the water without messing up your drysuit. For women, there is the She-pee valve which has the same role.

Then there is the inflator valve which has a connection to a low-pressure quick release hose on the regulator. This setup is used to insert air into your drysuit to control the buoyancy to take you deeper or shallower in the water. It might require some training to do this correctly.

Footwear

On your feet, you will need either boots, socks or both depending on the diving conditions you will have. Boots offer better protection and warmth compared to socks and should be given priority when diving in cold waters.

With these aspects put into consideration, you’re sure of getting the best drysuit for your activities in water. Keep in mind that you have to find the right size for your body.

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