▚ DECISION PAGE ▚
Wetsuit vs Drysuit
Where neoprene stops being enough.
Below about 10 °C — or on long, repetitive cold days — compression, evaporative chill, and surface intervals turn a 7 mm into a losing bet. A drysuit costs multiples up front, adds a buoyancy skill (get the orientation training), and then makes cold water a season instead of a stunt.
▚ THICK WETSUIT
Henderson Thermoprene Pro 7mm wetsuit
$434.99
▚ DRYSUIT
Enthusiast/dealer-channel gear — we keep this side editorial rather than link a marketplace listing that may not be the real thing.
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Head to head
| Axis | Thick wetsuit | Drysuit |
|---|---|---|
| Water range | Down to ~10 °C for most | Cold water as a lifestyle |
| Surface intervals | Wet and cooling | Dry, warm, repeatable |
| Up-front cost | Hundreds | Four figures with undergarments |
| Skill overhead | None new | Buoyancy/orientation training required |
▚ TRAINING NOTEDive within your training and certification. This is gear research, not dive instruction, and not a substitute for training from a certified instructor. Service intervals and no-fly figures cited on this site are illustrative — follow your manufacturer’s manual and your agency’s / DAN’s guidance.
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