Wetsuit vs Drysuit for UK Diving
Wetsuit or drysuit for UK diving? Compare warmth, cost, ease of use for 6-16°C waters. Expert advice for BSAC & PADI divers. UK prices, pros & cons of each.
Not sure which setup is right for you?
Take Our QuizThe question every UK diver faces: keep shivering in a wetsuit or invest in drysuit diving. Here's the honest comparison to help you decide.
The Temperature Threshold
At 10°C water temperature, most divers reach wetsuit limits. A 7mm semi-dry suit provides reasonable comfort above 10°C. Below that threshold, you're fighting the cold rather than enjoying the dive.
UK water temperatures by season:
Summer (June-September): 14-16°C surface, 10-14°C at depth. Wetsuit comfortable.
Shoulder seasons (April-May, October-November): 10-14°C surface, 8-12°C at depth. Wetsuit marginal.
Winter (December-March): 6-10°C throughout. Wetsuit uncomfortable. Drysuit territory.
If you only dive UK summer, a wetsuit suffices. Year-round UK diving makes drysuit compelling.
**Wetsuit Advantages**
Lower initial cost: Quality 7mm semi-dry costs around £250-400. Complete drysuit setup runs around £1,200-2,000.
Simpler operation: Pull it on, dive. No additional training required.
Less maintenance: Rinse and dry. Drysuits need seal care, valve maintenance, and occasional repairs.
Better in warm water: Your wetsuit works for UK summer and tropical holidays. Drysuits are for cold only.
Easier packing: Wetsuits compress better for travel.
Drysuit Advantages
Year-round UK comfort: Dive comfortably in any UK conditions. No more cutting dives short because you're shivering.
Longer dive times: Warmth means you can extend bottom times and enjoy decompression stops.
Extended career: Many divers quit UK diving because of cold. Drysuits enable lifetime participation.
Better surface comfort: Waiting on boats or walking back to car parks is more pleasant when dry.
Layering flexibility: Adjust undersuit warmth to conditions and activity level.
Cost Comparison
Wetsuit total investment:
7mm semi-dry wetsuit: Around £300-400
Hood: Around £40-60
Replacement in 4-5 years: Around £300-400
Five-year cost: Around £650-900
Drysuit total investment:
Entry drysuit: Around £800-1,200
Undersuit: Around £150-300
Drysuit specialty course: Around £150-250
Annual maintenance: Around £50-100
Five-year cost: Around £1,400-2,200
Premium drysuit: Around £1,200-1,800
Total five-year premium: Around £1,800-2,800
Drysuits cost 2-3x more initially but last 7-10 years versus 3-5 for wetsuits. For active UK divers, lifetime cost may be similar.
The Learning Curve
Drysuit diving requires additional training. You're managing two buoyancy devices (BCD and suit), learning squeeze management, and handling potential foot-up emergencies.
BSAC and PADI offer drysuit specialty courses. Typically 2-4 pool/confined water sessions plus 2-4 open water dives. Around £150-250 including manual.
Most divers become comfortable with drysuit buoyancy within 5-10 dives. It's a genuine learning curve but manageable for anyone who completed open water training.
When to Transition
Consider drysuit transition if:
You dive year-round in UK waters
You regularly cut dives short due to cold
You dive more than 15-20 times annually
You want to extend into UK winter diving
You plan technical or deep wreck diving
Stay with wetsuit if:
You only dive UK summers
You dive fewer than 10 times annually
You primarily dive tropical destinations
Budget doesn't accommodate drysuit investment
UK-Specific Considerations
UK drysuit divers typically use neoprene or membrane suits.
Neoprene drysuits: Inherent insulation, less undersuit needed, heavier, harder to repair. Around £800-1,200.
Membrane (trilaminate) drysuits: No inherent insulation, need substantial undersuit, lighter, easier to repair. Around £1,000-1,500.
Both work for UK conditions. Membrane suits with appropriate undersuits dominate technical UK diving.
Our Recommendation
For year-round UK diving, drysuit investment pays dividends in comfort and extended participation. If you're committed to this hobby and want to dive beyond UK summer, budget for drysuit transition after your first full season in a wetsuit.
Take our quiz to evaluate whether your diving patterns justify drysuit investment.
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Start the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
At what temperature should UK divers switch from wetsuit to drysuit?
Most UK divers switch to drysuits when water temperature drops below 10°C (November-April). A 7mm semi-dry wetsuit is comfortable for UK diving at 10-16°C (May-October), but below 10°C most divers feel cold after 30-40 minutes. Your cold tolerance, dive duration, and activity level affect this decision. Many UK divers use wetsuits summer, drysuits winter, switching around October and April.
What are the cost differences between wetsuit and drysuit for UK diving?
Initial costs: Quality 7mm wetsuit £250-450, drysuit £800-1,500. Drysuits also require: undersuit (£150-400), drysuit course (£150-250), hood and gloves (£80-150), regular maintenance (£50-100/year). Total drysuit investment: £1,200-2,400 vs £300-500 for wetsuit. However, drysuits last 7-10 years with care versus 3-5 for wetsuits, and enable comfortable year-round UK diving.
Is a drysuit difficult to learn for UK beginners?
Drysuit diving requires additional training (typically 2-4 dives) to master buoyancy control with two air spaces (BCD and suit). Most UK divers complete BSAC Drysuit or PADI Drysuit Specialty after gaining 15-20 wetsuit dives. The learning curve is manageable but important - improper drysuit use can cause rapid ascents or uncontrolled descents. All UK dive training agencies require drysuit qualification before hiring drysuits.
Can you dive UK wrecks and deep sites in a wetsuit?
Yes, but with limitations. Summer UK wreck diving (June-September, 12-16°C surface, 8-12°C at depth) is comfortable in a 7mm wetsuit for 40-60 minute dives. Deeper wrecks (30m+) get significantly colder. Winter wreck diving (6-10°C) requires a drysuit for safety and comfort. Many UK technical divers and wreck specialists use drysuits year-round for extended bottom times and decompression stops.
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