Drysuits

When the water gets cold enough that a wetsuit starts feeling like a compromise, a drysuit changes the conversation entirely. Drysuits don't insulate you the way neoprene does — instead, they keep you completely dry, which means your base layers do the thermal work and you control your warmth based on what you wear underneath. For riders in the Great Lakes region, the Pacific Northwest, or anywhere the calendar pushes water temperatures below 50°F, a drysuit isn't a luxury piece of kit. It's what keeps you riding when everyone else has packed it in for the season.

How a Drysuit Actually Works

The core principle of a drysuit is simple: waterproof material sealed at the neck, wrists, and entry point keeps water out entirely. What you wear underneath — a thin base layer in mild conditions, a heavier thermal mid-layer when it's genuinely cold — determines how warm you stay. That layering system gives you flexibility a wetsuit can't match. On a 45°F day you might run a light fleece underlayer; on a day when the water is hovering near freezing, you add more. The suit itself stays the same and your comfort adjusts with the conditions.

Drysuit materials fall into two main categories: neoprene and membrane. Neoprene drysuits offer some inherent insulation of their own and tend to feel more familiar to riders coming from wetsuits — they move similarly and don't require as much attention to underlayer management. Membrane drysuits are lighter, more packable, and more versatile across a wider temperature range, but they rely entirely on what you wear underneath for warmth. Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on how cold your conditions get, how much you ride, and how you prefer to manage your layering system.

Seals at the neck and wrists are the most critical component in any drysuit, and they require attention. Latex seals are the most common and create an excellent waterproof barrier, but they degrade over time and need to be replaced periodically. Neoprene seals are more durable and comfortable against the skin but seal less precisely. Some riders trim their latex seals slightly for comfort — a reasonable adjustment, done carefully. Knowing how to care for and replace your seals is part of owning a drysuit and worth understanding before your first session.

What to Look For When Choosing a Drysuit

Mobility is the first thing to evaluate in a drysuit for kiteboarding or wing foiling. You're reaching overhead, sheeting in and out, and moving through a full range of motion throughout every session. Suits designed specifically for water sports build in articulated patterning and stretch panels that accommodate that movement without fighting you. A drysuit built for diving or sailing may not move the same way, and the difference shows up quickly on the water.

Entry systems matter too. Front entry and diagonal entry suits tend to be easier to get in and out of solo, which becomes relevant when you're rigging and launching without help. Rear entry suits are common and work fine but can be awkward to seal properly without a second set of hands. Whichever system you choose, practicing the entry and exit before your first cold water session is worth the time.

Buoyancy is a consideration that catches some riders off guard. Drysuits trap air, which makes you more buoyant than you're used to — something to account for if you're used to diving under water to body drag or recover gear. Most riders adapt quickly, but it's worth knowing going in.

How We Think About Drysuits

Riding year-round in Michigan means we've had honest conversations about drysuits with a lot of riders who weren't sure they needed one — and then came back the following season having wondered why they waited. The Great Lakes don't warm up fast in spring or cool down slowly in fall, and the riders who invest in a drysuit are the ones logging sessions in April and November while everyone else waits for June.

We stock drysuits we'd trust in real cold water conditions, and our team has firsthand experience with the gear we carry. If you're on the fence about whether a drysuit makes sense for your riding or you want help figuring out which style fits your conditions, we're easy to reach and happy to talk it through.

Ready to Ride Year-Round?

Browse our drysuit selection and find the right setup for your season. If you want a recommendation based on your local conditions and how you ride, reach out before you buy — we'll help you make the right call.