Shivering is Optional: Diving in Wetsuit or Drysuit in the PNW

Wetsuit or Drysuit in PNW diving?

To be honest, I only had four cold-water dives in a wetsuit before I called it quits. Between two “fun” dives in 50°F water and a rescue evaluation in a (thankfully) 60°F lake, I knew I was done. I might be biased, but for a good reason: I even wear a 5mm wetsuit in the 85°F Maldives!

I realized three things quickly:

1. I was miserable. I’m very prone to the cold.
2. The “Michelin Man” Effect. 7mm of neoprene is stiff. I could barely walk, let alone perform rescue exercises on a diver 1.3x my size.
3. The Surface Interval is brutal. Putting a wet, cold wetsuit back on for a second dive is a special kind of punishment.

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The Showdown: Wetsuit vs. Drysuit

Feature	7mm Wetsuit	Trilaminate Drysuit
Upfront Cost	$200 – $500 (Budget Friendly)	$1,500+ (Significant Investment)
Maintenance	Rinse and hang.	Wax zippers, powder seals, leak tests.
Warmth	Fixed (and compresses at depth).	Fully customizable with layering, to the suit size.
Post-Dive	Shivering in a towel.	Ready for dinner in your base layers.
Learning Curve	None.	Certification + task-loading practice.

What about Semi-Dries? In my opinion, a semi-dry is just a wetsuit with better marketing. You’re still getting wet, and you’re still losing heat. For the PNW, it’s rarely a long-term solution.

Pros & Cons

The Wetsuit (The Bare Essentials)

✅ Pros:

• Affordable: Low entry price ($200–$500).
• Low Maintenance: Just rinse and hang. No zippers to wax or seals to powder.
• Streamlined: Less drag and no “air bubble” to manage moving around.
• Ease of Use: No additional certification or task-loading required.
• Pee-Ready: Whenever you’re ready… just keep it to yourself. 😛

❌ Cons:

• Compression: Neoprene loses warmth and buoyancy at depth, i.e. weights required to descend might be too much for neutrally buoyant at depth..
• Fixed Warmth: Much harder to layer up for a colder day.
• The “Wet” Factor: Surface intervals are shivering intervals.
• The Wrestling Match: Getting into a thick 7mm suit often requires a full-body workout before the dive even starts.

The Drysuit (Trilaminate focus)

✅ Pros:

• Custom Warmth: Wear anything from thin base layers to thick fleece. You control your climate.
• Post-Dive Ready: Peel it off and go straight to dinner—no shivering in a towel.
• Tech Ready: A mandatory gateway for deeper, longer, or technical diving.
• Travel-Friendly: A trilaminate suit dries faster than a soaking-wet 7mm wetsuit.
• Redundancy: Provides a secondary source of buoyancy (though you must practice to avoid feet-first ascents!).
• Longevity: If you maintain the seals and zippers, a quality suit can last for a decade.

❌ Cons:

• Expensive: High upfront cost (at least $1,500) plus ongoing maintenance.
• Learning Curve: Requires a certification and practice to master buoyancy.
• The Bulk: Heavier on land, requires more weights, and offers less flexibility than a thin suit.
• Maintenance: Zippers need wax, seals need powder, and leaks will eventually happen.
• The “P-Valve” Learning Curve: To be “pee-ready,” you need a $200+ valve and, for females, the “She-P” system (which has its own learning curve!).
• Fins: You’ll likely need an extra pair of larger, more negative fins to fit the boots and maintain trim.

>> Read more: Interested to see what happen to my rescue class? Read my journey “Beyond the Basics“.

>> Read more: Thinking about the technical diving? Read my journey “The Technical Ascent“.

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Essential Quality of Life Upgrades

If you decide to go dry, the customizations make all the difference. For me, these four were non-negotiable:

• Neoprene Socks + Rock Boots: Easier to choose the boots with correct buoyancy characteristics and size/fit with fins. Also much easier to replace if the soles of shoes become worn. Some of PNW shores are rocky, so wearing proper shoes really helps. Plus, express your personality via converse high-top!  
• Dry Gloves:These are the ultimate life-saver for 45F water.
• User-Changeable Seals: Being able to swap a torn seal at the dive site saves your trip (and your wallet).
  Note: If you have small shoulders, be mindful that large neck rings can feel bulky! Pull up the shoulder straps to make sure they sit right.
• The P-Valve ($200+): Don’t skip this. Staying hydrated is key to safety, and the P-valve is a game-changer.

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The Bottom Line

A drysuit is worth the investment if:

1. You dive cold water regularly (more than once a month) & can justify the investment
2. Technical diving is on your horizon.
3. You value comfort. Life is too short to be shivering on a tailgate in Hoodsport.

Life is too short to be shivering on shore and underwater in Hoodsport.

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Stay Tuned for future topics

• Kubi vs. Rolock 90 Dry Glove Showdown: which system won for my small hands
• The “Made-to-Measure” Battle: Comparing my 2023 Seaskin vs. my 2025 O’Three
• Base Layer Science: Why cotton is the enemy and merino/fleece is your best friend
• Heat UP: Venture Heat heated vest change my winter diving game in PNW

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Editorial disclaimer

Please be aware that scuba diving is an inherently risky activity, even with certification and experience. The content on this blog reflects my personal opinions and experiences and should not be considered instructional. Always prioritize safety, seek guidance and certification from qualified diving professionals, and carefully consider the risks involved in any dives.