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Dry Suits: When Dry Means Warm
Some landlubbers operate under the misconception that wetsuits keep the wearer dry. This could not be further from the truth. Wetsuits are specifically designed to allow a small amount of water to enter the suit and remain there, next to the skin. This water is warmed by body heat and insulates the wearer. If a wetsuit did not permit water entry, it would not work. A dry suit, however, is another story. These garments keep the wearer dry, providing thermal insulation and covering the entire body, with the exception of the head, hands and sometimes the feet.
Whereas wetsuits come in two different types, those designed for warm water and those designed for cold, dry suits are specifically intended for use in colder water. In this case, cold water usually means anything below 60 deg F. It is up to the wearer to determine if a wetsuit or a dry suit is needed, but the former will usually only be effective in water that is 45 deg F or warmer. Dry suits provide better insulation than wetsuits, which allows them to keep the wearer warmer. However, it also makes them more expensive; dry suits can cost several thousand dollars.
The shell of a dry suit is made from neoprene, foam rubber or a hybrid of both. Neoprene contains millions of tiny air bubbles, which make the material both buoyant and insulating. It is a dense material, which means that neoprene suits can be fairly difficult to get on and off. These suits are also fairly formfitting. Over time, the air bubbles in neoprene are compressed, which means that suits become less effective over the years. However, these suits have the advantage of retaining their insulating abilities even after being torn or punctured. The same cannot be said of membrane suits made from foam rubber.
Membrane suits are commonly made of vulcanized rubber, which is rubber that has been cured in high heat and had sulfur added to it. These suits do not stretch, so the must be oversized to allow the wearer freedom of movement. Their size also means that membrane suits are fairly easy to get on and off. Membrane suits must be worn with an insulating under suit. It is the under suit that provides the wearer with both warmth and buoyancy. Therefore, the membrane suit cannot be ripped or punctured; if the under suit becomes wet, it will cease to insulate the wearer.
Hybrid suits are usually composed of membrane top and a membrane bottom, although the latter sometimes covers the chest as well. These kinds of dry suits are popular for surface water sports; the neoprene bottoms allow the wearer to kick while swimming, while the loose-fitting membrane top allows him or her to use their arms as well.
All dry suits are sealed at the wrist, neck and ankles to prevent water intrusion. The seals are made from latex rubber or neoprene. The first has the advantage of being suppler, but latex is relatively fragile can damaged. Neoprene seals are stiffer, but they also usually last longer.
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