Drysuit vs. Wetsuit for Cold Water Kayaking
- Patrick
- Mar 18
- 14 min read
Updated: Mar 25
A practical guide for paddlers on Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest waters
Cold water protection is one of the most important decisions you make as a kayaker on Puget Sound. The water here stays cold year-round — roughly 46°F in winter and only reaching 50–53°F in summer. Cold shock hits immediately on immersion; hypothermia develops over time. Both are serious, and both are reasons to dress for the water rather than the air.
If you are newer to paddling and still figuring out the basics, our How to Start Sea Kayaking guide covers gear, skills, and what to expect on Puget Sound.
For kayaking on Puget Sound and other Pacific Northwest waters, most paddlers choose between a drysuit or a wetsuit for cold-water immersion protection. Both work. Neither is perfect for every situation. This guide will walk through the practical trade-offs of each, help you decide which makes sense for how and where you paddle, and cover the details that matter when actually using them.
Quick Comparison
Drysuit | Wetsuit (Farmer John) | |
Stays dry | Yes (except perspiration) | No — but water warms quickly with snug fit |
Immersion protection | Excellent with good layers underneath | Good for shorter immersions in warmer water |
Ease of use | More complex — gaskets, layering required | Simple — pull on and go |
Warmth on the water | Depends on layers worn underneath | Can get warm in summer conditions |
Multi-day trips | Easy — dry off and pack | Next-day use means putting on a damp suit |
Cost | Higher initial investment | More affordable entry point |
Maintenance | Gaskets wear and need periodic replacement | Dry before storing; damp storage degrades fabric over time. Can get funky (smelly) |
Post-paddle life | Take it off, head straight to the pub | Change needed — might want a shower |
Jump to: Drysuits
Jump to: Wetsuits
Jump to: Semi Drysuits
Drysuits
If you can fit a drysuit into your budget, it is often the preferred choice — for the peace of mind, for staying dry (aside from your own perspiration), and for the practical reality of being able to take it off at the end of the day and head straight to post-paddle festivities without feeling like you need to take a shower.
Not ready to buy? We also offer drysuit rentals if you want to try one before committing.
How a Drysuit Works
A drysuit creates a waterproof shell around your body using latex gaskets at the wrists and neck and a waterproof entry zipper. When worn correctly, it keeps you almost completely dry from the outside — the only moisture comes from perspiration.
The suit itself provides almost no warmth. What keeps you warm is what you wear underneath. This is one of the most important things to understand about drysuits: layering is not optional, it is the whole system.
The drysuit keeps you dry. Your layers keep you warm. If you go in the water without sufficient insulation underneath, you will still get cold quickly. |
Layering Under a Drysuit
Think in terms of the same three-layer system used for any cold-weather activity:
Base layer: Synthetic or wool fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin. Avoid cotton entirely.
Insulating layer: Fleece or wool that retains warmth. Weight depends on air and water temperature.
Socks: Wool socks are important for warmth, comfort, and for preventing the odor that builds up in the foot of a drysuit. Do not skip them.
On warm summer days the drysuit will feel warm, but cooling off is much easier than warming back up. Wading into the water for a moment works well — evaporative cooling does the rest. You can also use a hat to dump water on yourself, practice edging, or perform a bow rescue with a paddling partner. Getting wet on your own terms, when you choose to, is a different experience than getting wet unexpectedly.
Gaskets: The Part That Takes Getting Used To
Latex neck and wrist gaskets are the feature new drysuit users most commonly need to adjust to. The wrist gaskets are rarely a problem. The neck gasket is another matter.
In our experience, almost no one wears a neck gasket without first either trimming it or at least stretching it. In the field, a too-tight gasket is easy to recognize: the veins on the paddler's forehead tend to pop out and their face gets a bit redder. Kokatat recommends stretching gaskets for about six hours at a time, and while that helps, the gaskets are often still too tight to be comfortable afterward.
Stretching vs. Trimming
Stretching: Lower risk. Stretch the gasket over a large container or purpose-made form for several hours at a time. Repeat as needed. Results vary.
Trimming: More effective, but you take on the risk of needing to replace the gasket if it goes wrong. Cut one small ring at a time, working from the outermost ring inward. Do not cut too much at once.
Replacing Gaskets
Gaskets are wear items — they are meant to be replaced. How difficult that is depends on the suit. Suits with glued-in gaskets can often be replaced in a shop like ours. Suits with sewn-in gaskets are typically better sent back to the manufacturer; Immersion Research will also work on suits they did not make. With the right tools and some patience, gasket replacement is also something you can do at home.
Field tip: Keep duct tape in your repair kit. A gasket that tears mid-trip can be temporarily sealed well enough to finish the day. |
Drysuit Entry Zippers
The most common entry style is a front diagonal zipper, which is what we use at NWOC and what we consider the easiest to operate independently. Other options that are less common are:
Back zip: Requires someone else to zip you up — which one of our instructors has embraced as a built-in buddy system requirement. Some paddlers find it easier; we remain skeptical that it is easier than a front zip you can reach yourself.
Waist zip: Separates the suit into two wearable pieces, which adds versatility if you want to wear just the top or bottom. The trade-off is additional complexity and more places for the seal to fail if the joining piece is not tightened properly.
Whatever entry style you choose, practicing the closure until it becomes automatic matters, especially if you're working on rescues. Often zippers will stop at the part near the end of the track, making beginners believe it is already closed, only to find their suit filling with water as they practice a rescue. It's a much better lesson to learn on Lake Union than Deception Pass.
Upper-end drysuits also tend to use higher-quality waterproofing and construction. For most Puget Sound paddling we find the standard models sufficient, but if you are frequently in rougher conditions or doing multi-day trips, the additional features (such as a hood, pockets, or reflective accents) and quality fabric become worth the additional cost.
Caring For A Drysuit
Just like any piece of outdoor gear, taking proper care of a drysuit is important for keeping it working properly. Follow this steps as well as manufacturer recommendations for best results.
Rinse with freshwater after use
Use an enzymatic cleaner periodically to keep odors from getting out of hand
Clean and lubricate the zippers at least once a season
Apply 303 or similar to gaskets to protect and keep them supple
Re-apply DWR treatment if the fabric starts to hold water/wet out
Wetsuits
A wetsuit is a practical, more affordable entry point for cold-water protection. Done right, a wetsuit system provides solid immersion protection and a lot of flexibility for adapting to varying conditions.
How a Wetsuit Works
A wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and your skin, which your body then warms. That layer acts as insulation. For it to work, the suit needs to fit snugly — a loose wetsuit constantly exchanges cold water for the warm water your body has worked to heat, leaving you working harder and staying less warm.
A wetsuit that fits poorly is significantly less effective than one that fits well, even if the neoprene is thicker. |
Farmer John / Farmer Jane Style
At NWOC we use farmer john and farmer jane style wetsuits — sleeveless, covering the torso and legs but leaving the arms free. This is our preferred style for kayaking for several reasons:
Full range of motion for paddling strokes
Flexible layering — wear it alone, under a paddle jacket, or with fleece and a dry top for cold days
Adaptable across a wide range of conditions without needing multiple suits
For layering, even on warm days a rashguard underneath adds sun protection as well as comfort. On cool to cold days, adding fleece under a paddle jacket or dry top provides solid warmth. The paddle jacket or dry top helps slow water entry when you come out of your kayak, which makes a real difference in how quickly the wetsuit system cools you down after a capsize.
Dry Tops and Paddle Jackets
A few notes on the upper-body layers that are worn alongside wetsuits or as standalone splash protection — this could be its own buying guide, but the basics are worth covering here.
Basic splash jacket (no tunnel): Goes over the top of your sprayskirt. Good splash protection for moderate conditions.
Dry top: Basically the top half of a drysuit–this means gaskets on your wrists and neck to keep water out, and a tunnel between your sprayskirt and the top to help keep water out when you’re upside down in your kayak. Better suited to more demanding conditions or if you have good bracing skills and/or a roll.
For more on choosing the right sprayskirt to pair with your immersion wear, see our Sprayskirt Buying Guide.
Wetsuits and Multi-Day Trips
One trade-off worth considering for multi-day paddling: a drysuit dries off quickly and should be mostly dry and ready for the next day--with proper base layers it's not even that unpleasant to put it back on the next day. A wetsuit takes longer to dry, and getting into a cold, damp wetsuit the next morning is an experience no one enjoys.
What you wear on a San Juan Islands trip — or any multi-day paddle — is ultimately a personal decision based on your own risk tolerance. The other thing to factor in is that if something goes wrong and you need to be rescued, you are not the only one taking on risk. The people coming to help you are too. Wearing adequate protection is partly about your own safety, and partly about not putting others in that position.
Care and Odor Prevention
Neoprene and odor have a complicated relationship. Whether you are dealing with a wetsuit, drysuit, or any other neoprene gear, prevention is everything — once neoprene gets truly ripe, there is no going back.
Rinse all neoprene in fresh water after every use
Dry your wetsuit thoroughly before storing — leaving it wet encourages the bacteria growth that causes persistent odor
Dry your drysuit as thoroughly as you can before packing or storing it — repeated damp storage can degrade seam tape, promote mold, and shorten the life of the fabric and gaskets over time
Use an enzyme-based cleaner like Sink the Stink to kill the bacteria responsible for the smell. Regular treatment, not just when it already smells.
The same applies to drysuit booties and any neoprene accessories
Semi Drysuits: A Middle Option
Between a wetsuit and a full drysuit sits the semi-dry suit — worth knowing about, particularly for paddlers who want more protection than a wetsuit but find the latex neck gasket of a drysuit off-putting or for those allergic to latex.
A semi-dry suit typically uses latex wrist gaskets — the same as a drysuit — but a neoprene neck gasket rather than latex. That neoprene neck is easier to tolerate, especially for new drysuit users. The trade-off is that a neoprene neck seal allows more water in during an extended immersion than a latex one would. Some semi-dry suits have an adjustable neck closure to improve the seal; others are fixed. How much water gets in varies considerably between manufacturers and models.
A semi-dry suit can be a practical choice for more casual paddling — situations where the odds of going in the water are genuinely low, and the suit is serving mainly as splash protection, warmth, and something to wade into the water in while launching. For that kind of use, the neoprene neck is perfectly adequate and considerably more comfortable out of the box.
If you are practicing rescues, paddling in conditions where a capsize is a real possibility, or doing anything in moving water, a full drysuit with a latex neck gasket is the better choice. A well-fitted latex gasket — trimmed or stretched until it is not cutting off circulation — is just as comfortable as a neoprene one in practice. It takes some getting used to, but once it is right, it stops being something you think about. Some neoprene neck gaskets have smooth inner lining; others are slightly abrasive against the skin. That varies by manufacturer and is worth checking before you buy.
Which Should You Choose?
Not every paddler on Puget Sound wears immersion protection on every paddle — and most of the time, things work out fine. That is the honest reality, and pretending otherwise would be disingenuous. What immersion protection does is reduce your margin for error. Paddlers who go without it are not necessarily making a reckless choice; they are accepting a smaller margin, and that is a personal decision. The question worth asking is what else you have working in your favor.
Cold shock is the first thing that happens. When you enter cold water unexpectedly, the immediate response is an involuntary gasp and rapid, uncontrolled breathing — a physiological reflex, not a matter of composure. A wetsuit or drysuit reduces the intensity of that response and gives you time to get your breathing under control and begin a rescue.
Hypothermia is the longer concern: after 10–15 minutes in 50°F water, most people begin losing the hand and arm dexterity needed to perform a self-rescue. Thermal protection slows that process. None of this is meant to alarm — it is just the honest sequence of what cold water does, and why the clothing decision matters more than it might seem on a calm, sunny day.
In our Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking class we practice rescues in the water so you can experience firsthand how your gear actually performs — and how cold water affects your dexterity.
That margin is also affected by factors beyond what you are wearing. A kayak with proper flotation — whether through bulkheads and hatches or float bags fore and aft — means that if you capsize, you can get back in and pump it out. A paddle float and bilge pump, carried on deck where you can reach them, make that self-rescue possible. Checking the weather forecast before you launch and paddling within your skill level and the conditions of the day are part of the same calculation. Immersion protection is one layer of that margin. Gear, judgment, and preparation are the others.
Some factors experienced paddlers use to decide what to wear on a given day:
Where are you paddling — sheltered water close to shore, or longer crossings in exposed areas?
How much wind and current are you likely to encounter?
Are you paddling with experienced companions, or with newer paddlers who may need assistance?
Are you paddling alone?
What is the weather forecast, and how might it change during the day?
How long will it take for help to arrive if you need it? (e.g. paddling on an urban lake vs. a remote area)
For a more detailed month-by-month breakdown of what to wear on Puget Sound, Lake Union, and the San Juan Islands, see our What to Wear Kayaking in Seattle guide.
Weather can change unexpectedly. Even a calm start can turn into a stiff tailwind that makes a section of paddle you expected to breeze through a bit of a white-knuckle ride. Wearing your protection when you launch is a lot better than wishing you had it when conditions shift. |
Our general recommendation: if you are newer to paddling, paddling solo, doing any open crossings, or paddling with a group whose skills vary, wearing immersion protection is the prudent call. But even for experienced paddlers in familiar conditions, the bar is simple: if there is any doubt, wear something. A semi-dry suit, a wetsuit, a full drysuit — the specific choice matters less than having something on.
The cost of being overdressed is a bit of extra warmth. The cost of being under-dressed in cold water is a different kind of problem entirely.
When to Wear What: Quick Reference
Situation | Recommendation |
Puget Sound, calm day, close to shore | Wetsuit or drysuit still recommended for Puget Sound temperatures. |
Puget Sound day paddle | Wetsuit with dry top or paddle jacket, or drysuit |
Open crossings or exposed conditions | Drysuit strongly preferred |
Paddling alone | Drysuit strongly preferred |
Multi-day San Juan Islands trip | Drysuit preferred — wetsuit workable but less comfortable on day two. Personal call based on conditions and risk tolerance; keep in mind that needing a rescue puts others at risk too. |
Rolling practice / surf zone | Drysuit preferred; wetsuit also suitable |
Drysuits at NWOC
We carry suits we use ourselves on Puget Sound and our local rivers. If you want to see what we offer for sale or to try first as a rental, you can browse our options below.
Kokatat Swift Entry Drysuit Men's Hydrus 3.0
$999
A solid, entry level drysuit with all the Features that matter for Puget Sound paddling. Front-entry zipper, relief zipper, integrated socks, and latex gaskets. Good value for a new drysuit paddler who wants reliable dry protection without the Gore-Tex price tag.
Hydrus 3.0 three layer breathable/waterproof fabric
Nylon Waterproof front entry zipper
Relief zipper
Latex neck and wrist gaskets with protective neoprene cover
Hydrus Tough seat and knees
Kokatat Swift Entry Drysuit Women's Hydrus 3.0
$999
The women's version of the Swift Entry, with a drop seat relief zipper. Same waterproof Hydrus 3.0 fabric, front entry zipper, and latex gaskets. Women's specific cut for a better fit through the shoulders and hips.
Kokatat Swift Entry Drysuit Men's--Hydrus 3.0
Nylon Waterproof front entry zipper
Drop seat relief zipper
Latex neck and wrist gaskets with protective neoprene cover
Hydrus Tough seat and knees
Kokatat Meridian Drysuit Men's--Hydrus 3.0
$1189
A step up from the Swift Entry with reinforced seat and knees, making it a better choice for paddlers who spend more time getting in and out of boats on rough surfaces or practice rescue regularly. Adjustable skirt tunnel keeps more water out of the cockpit especially when edging, rolling, or bracing.
Hydrus 3.0 three layer breathable/waterproof fabric
Nylon Waterproof front entry zipper
Relief zipper
Latex neck and wrist gaskets with protective neoprene cover
Reinforced seat and knee patches
Dual adjustable overskirt
Zippered chest pocket
Kokatat Odyssey Drysuit Men's--Hydrus 3.0
$1439
A premium drysuit geared towards coastal paddling. The Odyssey has a removable hood, internal suspenders for comfort on and off the water, three zippered pockets, and reflective accents on the arms and hood. Adjustable skirt tunnel keeps the cockpit drier especially when rolling or bracing aggressively.
Hydrus 3.0 three layer breathable/waterproof fabric
Nylon Waterproof front entry zipper
Relief zipper
Latex neck and wrist gaskets with protective neoprene cover
Hydrus Tough seat and knees
Dual adjustable overskirt
2 zippered chest pockets, and 1 zippered thigh pocket
Removable pile lined hood
Reflective accents on arms and hood
Internal suspenders
Wetsuits at NWOC
We carry farmer John and Jane style wetsuits from NRS. They are sleeveless, full-leg neoprene that gives you full arm mobility for paddling without chaffing or binding up. Layer with a rashguard underneath and a paddle jacket or dry top over the top to adapt to conditions.
NRS Men's 3.0 Ultra John
$249.95
Our usual wetsuit recommendation for men. 3mm neoprene throughout, farmer John cut with full legs and no sleeves. Flexible enough to paddle comfortable for hours, warm enough for Puget Sound conditions when paired with a paddle jacket or dry top.
3mm Neoprene
Titanium laminate adhesive reflects heat back to your body keeping you warmer
Graphene inner fabric is quick drying and wicking as well as adds insulation
Full entry zipper
NRS Women's 3.0 Ultra Jane
$249.95
The women's cut of the Ultra series featuring the same 3mm neoprene and farmer Jane style, shaped for a better fit through the waist and hips. Our standard recommendation for women looking for a practical, versatile wetsuit for Puget Sound paddling.
3mm Neoprene
Titanium laminate adhesive reflects heat back to your body keeping you warmer
Graphene inner fabric is quick drying and wicking as well as adds insulation
Full entry zipper and separate relief zipper
NRS Men's 3.0 Farmer John
$169.95
A reliable 3mm wetsuit at a more accessible price point. Good for paddlers looking for a straightforward option without extras. Same farmer John cut and full neoprene leg coverage.
3mm neoprene
Farmer John style with full legs and no sleeves
Front zip entry
NRS Men's 3.0 Ignitor Wetsuit
Closeout $98.96
A 3mm farmer John style wetsuit at a closeout price. If you want solid neoprene coverage without spending much, this is a practical option while stock lasts.
3mm neoprene
Farmer John style with full legs and no sleeves
Front zip entry
Questions? Contact Northwest Outdoor Center
We are happy to help you find the right cold-water protection for how and where you paddle. Stop by the shop, call us at (206) 281-9694, or email mail@nwoc.com.
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