Wetsuits are a must for any serious diver or surfer, and they come in a variety of different styles and can be made out of a variety of different materials, too. But, alongside making sure that you are wearing a wetsuit, understanding what you should be wearing underneath your wetsuit is just as important.
In this guide, we are going to be sharing with you some important factors that you should take into consideration when deciding what to wear underneath your wetsuit so that you can make the most out of your surfing or scuba-diving session!
So, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about what to wear when you’re in the water.
What Are You Supposed To Wear Underneath A Wetsuit?
After reading through the factors above, we’re hoping that you have a better understanding of how to decide what to wear underneath a wetsuit.
Keep in mind, even though there are no set rules regarding what you should wear underneath your wetsuit, it is generally recommended that you wear minimal clothing or none at all if you feel comfortable enough to do so.
For the most part, the majority of wetsuits currently on the market are specifically designed to offer a layer of insulation, which means that there might not be any need to wear clothing underneath.
This is especially true given the fact that the efficacy of most wetsuits are dependent upon their ability to bond with the skin once exposed to water, which means that wearing clothing might actually be a hindrance!
In general, however, it’s always a good idea to wear something under your wetsuit. While this doesn’t necessarily have to be anything much, opting to wear underwear (or something similar and lightweight) can offer a practical benefit, and can even help you to feel more comfortable while you are surfing or scuba-diving.
The only question is if you do wish to wear clothing underneath your wetsuit – what should you wear? This brings us to our next section!
How To Decide What To Wear Under A Wetsuit
Consider Your Wetsuit’s Style
There are two main types of wetsuits available: full-body suits and shorty suits. Full-body suits cover every inch of your body from head to toe, including your arms and legs. Shorty suits only go up to the waist, leaving your arms exposed.
The choice between these two styles depends on how much time you plan on spending underwater. If you want to spend more than 30 minutes submerged, then a full-body suit will protect you better. If you’re not sure whether you’ll be swimming for longer than 30 minutes, then a shorty suit might be best.
Depending on what wetsuit style you are wearing, you might need to take into account what you can wear underneath your wetsuit to accommodate the style of your wetsuit.
Consider Your Wetsuit’s Material
The material used to make your wetsuit has a big impact on its performance. There are three basic materials out there: neoprene (rubber), nylon, and polyester.
Neoprene is by far the most popular type of material because it provides excellent buoyancy and warmth. It also offers good insulation against cold water temperatures.
Nylon wetsuits are made with very strong fibers that provide great strength and durability. Polyester wetsuits are usually cheaper than other options, but they don’t offer nearly as many benefits as their counterparts. They tend to stretch easily, which makes them less durable.
The material of your wetsuit will play a very big part in what you decide to wear underneath it. If you are wearing a neoprene wetsuit, then you might only find that you need to wear your regular underwear as neoprene offers incredible insulation abilities. It will also mean that you’ll be able to get your wetsuit on and off far more easily if you have minimal clothing underneath.
If you’re wearing a nylon wetsuit, then it may be worth getting some extra layers underneath. This way, you can still enjoy all the benefits of a nylon wetsuit while keeping warm.
If you’re wearing one of the more affordable polyester wetsuits, then you might find that wearing a neoprene insulation layer underneath is the best option for you.
What Type Of Water Sports Are You Doing?
If you plan on doing scuba diving in warm waters, then a full suit is probably the best choice. These suits usually come with neoprene booties that keep feet dry when walking around on the surface.
You will likely find that you do not need to wear anything underneath your full wetsuit, as there should be enough insulation to keep you warm. Still, you can opt to wear underwear if you feel more comfortable doing so.
On the other hand, if you plan on spending time surfing, then you might find that a shorty suit is better suited to you as you will be spending less time submerged in the water.
Again, you will more than likely find that you don’t need to wear anything underneath your shorty suit apart from underwear, although a wetsuit made of cheaper material might require you to layer up with a thermal suit underneath to stay warm. The waves can get cold!
Where Will You Be Surfing Or Diving?
Last but certainly not least, the final consideration that you should make when deciding what you should wear underneath your wetsuit is where you are planning on surfing or diving.
Not all water sports locations offer changing facilities, which means that you might need to get changed in and out of your wetsuit on the beach or in the parking lot.
In these types of situations, it only makes sense that you should want to wear some clothing underneath your wetsuit, such as underwear or even a t-shirt and shorts.
Final Thoughts
There we have it. We hope that this guide has helped you to better understand whether, or not, you need to wear clothing underneath your wetsuit in the first place, as well as how to decide what kind of clothing you should wear in the instance that you decide you need to.
Thank you for reading!
