We have put together a list of the most popular questions we are asked by customer when it comes to helping you choose the best dinghy sailing drysuits for your individual needs.
How Can I Make Sure I Order The Right Size Drysuit?
Drysuits are normally an easy item to fit given the fact that they aren't a close fitting garment. The internal braces and elasticated waist also help in giving your drysuit a good fit.
Look at the size chart and make sure you order the most appropriate size.
It is worth noting that because of the way a drysuit fits, if you are skinny for you suit size then you could get away with being a bit taller.
If you would be happier discussing your size on then please contact us through the Help Desk, send an email or give us a call.
If you happen to order the wrong size, don't worry you can send the suit back to us and we will exchange it for another size.
And if you can't find your size we can always offer the opportunity to manufacture a Made To Measure Drysuit.
How Breathable Are Drysuits?
Fabric manufacturers provide many test results to prove their fabrics breathability, waterproofness, resistance to tear etc. but are generally lab based, with static conditions where the inside and outside temperatures are at perfect levels (not what you'd find on the water) and in many cases are based on garments where air flow can take place, both outside and in, and zipped up drysuits don't do this.
The layers we add, buoyancy aid, harness, hikers, the deck we sit on, all reduce the area that could effectively breath by about a considerable surface area. And "in the field" factors, eg. wind driven rain or spray, hitting the water in a fast capsise fall, etc have an effect, combined with the fact that no fabrics (except some ultra light membrane stuff) can breath at the rate an energetic sailor works at means that you are never going to get a dry suit where breathability is great.
However, to feel comfortable, warm and dry it is important to wear the correct clothing under the suit.
A thermal fleece, and base layers if it is really cold, and warm breathable socks will wick the moisture away from your skin, making you feel warm and dry - this is called Moisture Management.
Does a Drysuit Keep You Warm?
No! It is your body processes that keep you warm & clothing provides the insulation to preserve your warmth.
Points to note are:
- Layered thickness is warmth.
- Dry clothes insulate better than wet/damp ones.
- Keeping your torso, warm (and dry) will help send heat to the extremities.
- Use your head. Keep it covered before you're cold. If your feet are cold, put a hat on!
Should I have a Front Zip or Back Zip?
Personal preference - Back zips; easy to put on, especially for people with stiffness, in shoulder or neck area, it’s out of the way, gives a "tidy" front, particularly helpful if you wear a harness, but you will probably have to ask for help to open or close the zip.
Front zip; designed to sit neatly across the front, can usually be opened and closed by the wearer.
We do not however recommend front zips for small sailors because the zip does tend to get in their way.
Is a Drysuit better than a Wetsuit?
The best way to keep warm is to keep dry and a drysuit keeps you dry. Staying dry reduces your heat loss which will keep you warm and comfortable.
A drysuit by design is a loose fit, a wetsuit, to keep you warm, has to be a good fit.
A drysuit is easy to put on, is light to wear and non restrictive.
Latex Seals or Neoprene Seals?
Latex seals - provide a more efficient seal than neoprene. They are easy to put on and wear, especially if you cut them down so they feel comfortable - they might feel rather tight to begin with due to their conical shape so you just trim it down following the imprinted guides. Neck thermal needs to be worn to provide insulation (see our snug base layer).
Neoprene seals - are comfortable to wear and provide thermal protection but do not provide as quite as good a seal. This is because they are not as stretchy, and might not fit as well - and they do not having the bellow in their design which means when your head is bending forward, as when you hike or trapeze, you might find a gap between the seal and the nape of you neck.
Which is best Ankle or Sock Seals?
This depends on your intended use.
In most cases we suggest the Sock since for most people the whole concept of wearing a drysuit is to stay warm and dry.
Your feet tend to be the first part of your body that feels cold and would therefore seem sensible to keep your feet dry since they will have a much better chance of staying warm.
Since most of us have to launch our craft our feet invariably get wet and potentially cold before we even start!
Ankle seals also reduce the blood flow to your feet due to the nature of the way they work, which will also cause a cooling effect.
Also socks are easier to put on, and last longer because they do not stretch every time they are put on.
All Trident drysuits are fitted with 3D socks as standard, but if you would prefer ankle seals on your drysuit take a look here
However if you windsurf, kitesurf, wakeboard, or do sports which involve putting your feet under straps, without wearing protection you might wish to have ankle seals.
What Size Are The Latex Socks?
How do I know that the sock will fit?
The 3D latex socks are fairly universal with there sizes thanks to the light weight rubber. It is similar to buy normal socks where one size suits several sizes.
How long do Latex Seals last?
The expectant life for a well looked after latex seal is about 2-3 years, however this is all dependent on how often you use the drysuit and how you look after them!
You will be given full instructions on how to care for your seals when you buy your suit.
303 Protectant is an excellent protector against UV light and many other substances that deteriorate the seals.
It needs to be applied regularly during the season and every 4-6 weeks when in storage - read more about this product
When they do eventually need replacing - either send the suit back to us and we will replace them for you - see details here
or we can send you a DIY replacement seal kit with full instructions - see the options
Are Braces Important?
Yes, they hold the trouser section of the Drysuit up for easy bending and crouching.
What Happens if the Socks fill up with Air or Water?
Some people are concerned about socks filling up, and whether they would be dragged down when they are in the water - and whether their feet will try to float up because of the air in the socks.
Comments to appreciate are: water in your socks hardly ever happens, but if you do get a rip in your suit and you fill up while you are in the water you get wet which isn't very nice, and your legs will feel heavier to move, but because the suit has very little air in you will not "fill up" with water.
Similarly, air in your socks does not happen because you have your sailing boots over the top which tend to be tight fitting leaving no room for air.
