What's the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?

There are a number of differences to consider. One of the most important is the type of material the drysuit is made of. Unlike the soft, supple material of a wetsuit, the drysuit material is more durable and not as stretchy. The idea behind a good fitting wetsuit is to allow minimal water flow, controlled by the snugness of the suit. Although you get wet, the suit is snug enough to not let water flush through, allowing your body heat to warm up the water, keeping you warm through out your dive. With a drysuit, no water is admitted into the suit through the seals around the neck and wrists. With the entire suit sealed up your body heat is locked in the suit. The drysuit is made a little big, allowing enough room for you to wear an undergarment to add extra warmth if needed.

Why Custom?

The fit of any suit is crucial to the final warmth of the suit. There are some people who are able to fit nicely into a stock suit, but for those of us who don't, a custom suit is the only way to assure warmth and comfort in the water. If you are not warm and comfortable, it could have drastic effects on your water sport. I have seen people totally giving up on the idea of diving due to the misery of the cold and not having a suit that fit them right. For a custom suit I take about 60 of your measurements and make a pattern from scratch. With my measuring you and seeing the suit on you when finished, the suit is guaranteed to fit you as needed, to assure making your sport more enjoyable. Unfortunately, that guarantee is not promised with the remote custom suits.

Why not one type of suit for everyone?

Part of customizing a suit for someone is understanding that not everyone is the same as far as the needs are concerned. There are those who don't get as cold as others and those who freeze their tails off just looking at the water. Keeping that in mind, I have a number of options to choose from and can help you determine what would suit your needs the best way possible. Just know the type of suit that works well for your buddy may not be what's best for you.

Can I measure myself or have someone else measure me for a mail order suit?

While it’s not advisable at this point, it is possible. However, with doing so, I cannot guarantee a custom fit. It is much better if I can measure you myself. I am currently working on a video of me measuring someone which will direct you as to how the measurements should be taken. Keep in mind, however, that the custom fit will still not be guaranteed.

Does a wetsuit have to be tight?

A wetsuit should be snug like a second skin, but not tight enough to be cutting off your circulation. If the suit is loose, it will defeat the purpose of keeping you warm by allowing cold water to flush in and out of the suit. If you are in warmer waters, it may not matter to have water flushing through, it may even be refreshing.

What should I wear under my suit?

With a wetsuit, I recommend a simple swimsuit. If you are to wear shorts, make sure they are not big & baggy as they will just bunch up in the suit, causing discomfort. If you want to wear more than just a swimsuit, a snug lycra skin would be good. It will also help getting in and out of the suit, and it can be washed with the rest of your laundry. If you are wearing a drysuit, it would depend on the individual and the type of drysuit. There are some people who don't need to wear anything at all in neoprene drysuit, and then there's those who wear thick, full body underwear. Of course, in a shell suit, thick underwear is recommended and worn.

Why is rinsing the suit so important?

Rinsing the suit is imperative to making sure the suit lasts to its full potential. Salt crystals that dry in an un-rinsed suit will damage the suit. Washing the suit with a mild soap & water on occasion will help with the skin oils will help. See my ‘care and maintenance’ page for more information on how you can help your suit live a long, healthy life.

Can I clean my suit with detergents and/or in the washer & dryer?

Detergents are not recommended for cleaning your suit. If you need to wash your suit, we suggest a mild dish soap such as Dawn, Ivory or Palmolive. Use very little soap mixed with a lot of water and be sure to rinse it all out. As far as the washer and dryer are concerned, this is a definite NO-NO. I have seen so many suits come in for repair of damage caused by the machines. The blades of the washer may not seem too sharp, but they have torn many suits. Putting suits in the dryer will result in burning of the nylon and neoprene which deteriorates the strength of the suit. The only way to fix these areas, if possible, is to replace the material, which can be expensive.

Does my suit need conditioning?

I do not recommend any commercial conditioners. As noted in our care & maintenance sectionsuggest using a water based silicone spray. It will condition the suit and keep it supple for the next use. Be sure not to use anything from an aerosol can as it most likely will contain chemicals which can eat away at the neoprene.