What should be worn under a wetsuit

The downside of men's briefs is that many men are hesitant or embarrassed to wander around scantily clad on a dive boat or at a dive shop, despite the practical advantages of this swimsuit. Tight-fitting bicycle-style shorts work well under a wetsuit. They provide more coverage than men's briefs or women's bikini bottoms and have the additional advantage of helping a wetsuit slip easily over a diver's thighs.

Some divers use commercially available bicycle shorts, but tight-fitting swim shorts are also available. Women who opt for bicycle-style shorts often pair them with sports bra-style tops or tankinis.

Neoprene shorts and pants are available through many wetsuit manufacturers. These garments are designed for divers to layer under wetsuits; they tightly hug a diver's body and don't shift or bunch. Like bicycle shorts, neoprene shorts allow a wetsuit to slide easily over a diver's thighs. Neoprene shorts have the advantage that they provide additional thermal protection. But neoprene is buoyant, and a diver who uses neoprene shorts may need to use slightly more weight on a scuba dive to compensate for the increased buoyancy of his undergarments.

Neoprene vests are an excellent option for divers who chill easily. Layering a neoprene vest particularly a hooded vest under a wetsuit is an excellent way to conserve warmth without increasing wetsuit thickness. Neoprene vests help a wetsuit slide over a diver's chest easily and provide coverage for more modest divers.

Some divers wear only a neoprene vest, while others layer swimsuits underneath. Warm-water divers often dive in only a dive skin or rash guard, but these items can also be layered under a wetsuit. Dive skins and rash guards are available in a variety of materials, including spandex and neoprene. They come in a range of styles, including long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts, long and short pants, and full-body jumpsuits.

However, if you wear it naked underneath, the rubber may absorb your body juices and start developing a smell. In addition, it is even more important to wear undergarments if you are renting a wetsuit. You may not be sure just how often the people at the rentals wash their wetsuits before letting them get rented. Understanding your tolerance to cold waters can help you decide what to wear under your wetsuit.

Aside from the pieces of clothing we already mentioned, here are a few more choices;. Generally, what to wear under a wetsuit is a personal preference that mostly depends on the activity you are wearing wetsuits for and when you are wearing it. Paddleboarding during mid of February is an excellent reason to wear a full-body jumpsuit within for added warmth and insulation.

A: In some sports like kayaking, wearing something over a wetsuit can help. This technique is called layering. A quick-dry top under your wetsuit is your base. A long-sleeve base layer or rashguard over the wetsuit adds for more warmth or sun protection.

You can also go with something heavier if the air is cool. There are some pretty strict rules to follow when it comes to choosing and wearing a wetsuit. But what should you wear under the wetsuit? Should you wear compression shirts, board shorts, or nothing at all?

What to Wear Under a Wetsuit. Related Posts. Search Search for:. See our Privacy Policy. Constructed with neoprene, diving shorts are extremely useful under wetsuits as they are light and act as an insulation for your body. Also, when you are wearing diving shorts, it is much easier to remove your wetsuit compared to going commando. A swimming brief to wear under your wetsuit is another option that adds warmth and protection for water diving in warmer temperatures.

Since swimwear briefs are made of lighter material, the best options to consider should ideally be made from spandex so that they are more form fitting. A rash guard is an undershirt worn underneath a wetsuit that keeps your upper body warm above and below water.

Rash guards are a perfect choice for colder waters as the first layer of protection, plus they prevent chafing from the wetsuit. Depending on the water temperature, there are both short sleeve and long sleeve rash guard options available that are made with polyester and spandex that dries quickly and offer more full body protection. Wetsuits may be ideal for those into scuba diving, but they are not easy to slip on and off, particularly if there are no undergarments underneath.

Your wetsuit ideally should be snug but not too tight so that you have flexibility while diving. Before selecting what you wear underneath a wetsuit, take into account the water of the water you are diving in, how sensitive your body is to the suit, and other factors that dictate your comfort levels.

Feature image: Dan Dennis via Unsplash. Having worked in fashion for the past 20 years including launching my own label I quickly discovered that what is needed is real, practical advice.