Winter and spring boating, cold-water conditions, offer the quiet of an off-season river and the excitement of high water. However, cold water exposure is dangerous. In fact, cold water can increase the chances of a flush drowning. With this in mind, it is essential to have the right gear. A dry suit is the surest way to stay dry and warm, no matter the conditions. Let’s take a look at how to care for a dry suit, correct zipper and gasket care, and a few dos and don’ts.
What is a Dry Suit?
A dry suit is an advanced piece of technical clothing made from Gore-Tex or similar waterproof material. With a rugged zipper and latex seals, the suit keeps water out even during extended swims. Unlike wetsuits that trap a layer of water to keep the wearer warm, dry suits trap a layer of air, meaning underlayers (thermal tights and tops) stay dry and warm.
Most dry suits are like onesies with foot booties that keep the feet dry. Suits are donned through a torso or back zipper, and latex gaskets at the wrists and neck keep water out.
Layers
What you wear under your dry suit depends on water and air temperatures and personal preference. Most paddlers and divers wear a pair of long fleece or wool tights or thermals on the bottom, paired with wool socks.
Top layers include synthetic or wool (no cotton!) long sleeves, sweaters, vests, and even puffy jackets in extreme cold. Be aware that bare skin creates sweat and oils that can wear down the suit from the inside out. Even in warmer weather, be sure to still wear long sleeves and pants (thinner is better for warm conditions) to protect the suit.
Getting In and Out
If you’ve never worn a dry suit, getting it on can be confusing. Open the main entry zipper all the way. Start with legs and feet, then one arm at a time. Last, get your head through the gasket. You might have to duck down and use both hands to get the gasket gently over your head.
Once in, make sure all the zippers, entry as well as relief zippers are fully-closed with the zipper car all the way sealed before hitting the water.
General Care
A dry suit is made of specialized waterproof material that is durable when cared for correctly and can deteriorate quickly when mistreated. Pinholes can appear in your rental dry suit after a single day of misuse on the river.
To keep your suit working as it should, take care to brush off underlayers and socks before entering the suit to remove sand, burs, or other potentially damaging materials. Brush the outer socks off before putting on your footwear.
When donning and removing the suit, don’t drag the suit across sand or rocks. Use a sand mat or tarp to reduce sand exposure. When wearing your suit halfway, tie the sleeves around your waist to keep them from dragging. Impacts with rocks, sticks, and thorns can create immediate holes. Move carefully when hiking or scouting in your suit. Air dry your suit in the shade (if possible). Do not dry near a campfire, grill, or heater.
Rinse your dry suit after use in salt water or especially silty waters. Once a year, before storing your dry suit, clean it with a product designed specifically for use with waterproof/breathable fabric such as XXXX. This can be done by hand in a bathtub or in a front-load washing machine with a delicate cycle and cold-water. Air-dry the suit in the shade.
ALWAYS wear shoes or neoprene booties with your dry suit. Neoprene socks and river shoes are preferred by many whitewater boaters. The built-in dry suit booties are not designed to be worn alone.
Dry Suit Dos and Don’ts
Here’s a quick summary of general dry suit dos and don’ts.
Do
- Always wear appropriate footwear
- Gently wash before storage
- Wear long-sleeve tops and pants
- Avoid sharp sticks and thorns
Don’t
- Drag the suit along the ground
- Change over sand, rocks, or asphalt
- Dry the suit over a fire, grill, or heater
Dry Suit Zippers and Zipper Care
A functioning and fully-sealing zipper is the key component of a dry suit. Without a good zipper, the suit will fill with water, rendering it useless. Given this, it is important to take particular care of the dry suit zipper.
When getting in and out of the suit, carefully line up both halves and use a smooth, steady motion to zip the suit. If you encounter resistance, stop and investigate why. Do not force a zipper, as this could damage the teeth. Ideally, have someone zip and unzip the suit for you to avoid pulling from damaging angles.
When storing the suit, keep plastic zippers closed and metal zippers open. Keep the chest panel, including the zipper, free from harsh folds, bends, or crimps. Fold the arms across the chest and loosely roll the suit.
Frequently cleaning and lubricating the zipper will extend the zipper’s life and minimize damage. After long river trips, use mild soap, water, and a toothbrush to remove sand and debris from the zipper. Run a toothbrush along the zipper teeth, inside and outside the suit.
Zipper lube will protect your zipper and keep the zipper car moving smoothly. There are a few different options, but the use is the same for each product. Apply a small amount along the length of the zipper, spread the grease along the zipper, and then run the zipper back and forth a few times to distribute the lubricant.
Dry Suit Zipper Dos and Don’ts
Remember, the zipper is the most important part of your dry suit and the hardest to replace. Make sure to follow these dos and don’ts:
Do
- Have a friend zip your suit
- Use a smooth, steady motion to zip and unzip
- Make sure the zipper is entirely closed
- Clean and lube often
Don’t
- Force the zipper
- Pull from out-of-line angles
- Store the suit in tight folds
Dry Suit Gaskets and Gasket Care
Dry suit gaskets are latex or silicone cuffs that create a tight seal at the neck and wrists to keep water out of the suit. The gaskets are essential to keeping you dry in the event of a swim, and maintaining them in good condition is a must.
Although durable, the gaskets can tear if misused. For example, sharp objects like rings, earrings, watches, or hair clips can tear a gasket as you put it on or take it off. It’s safest to remove all jewelry, brass knuckles, and hair clips before donning your suit. Avoid forcing your limbs or body through the gaskets. Instead, gently open them and guide them over your head or hands.
Also note that sunscreen, while necessary for most river trips, can degrade latex gaskets. Wait until you have your dry suit fully on, including the neck and wrist gaskets, to apply sunscreen. Regular cleaning, with mild soap and water, can help remove degrading chemicals and extend the life of your gaskets.
Gently dry the gasket after cleaning and regularly apply silicone grease or spray to moisturize the gasket. We do not recommend using 303 aerospace protectant. Instead, use silicone grease or dry suit seal conditioner.
The sun is one of the most damaging things to latex. Avoid sun exposure by keeping the gaskets covered on the river. (Most suits come with outer sleeves that protect the gaskets.) Don’t dry your dry suit in direct sunlight, and don’t store it in a hot, sunny car.
Stretching and Trimming
Dry suit gaskets are supposed to be snug and mildly uncomfortable. They will naturally stretch out over time. However, if the gasket is cutting off your circulation or air supply, it is worth manually stretching it.
To do so, place something slightly larger than your neck, wrist, or ankle in the gasket. A coffee can, or a football, works well for the neck, and a peanut butter jar can stretch out the wrist. Leave the gasket overnight (or longer, if necessary) to stretch the gasket.
If, after stretching the gasket, it is still uncomfortably tight, you may consider trimming it. Use a sharp knife or scissors to carefully remove one ring at a time from the gasket. Use the molded rings (usually ⅛”) apart as a guide.
Gasket Dos & Don’ts
Here’s a quick overview of how to care for your gasket.
Dos:
- Remove sharp jewelry before getting into the gaskets
- Stretch on a jar or similar cylindrical object
- Trim carefully along molded rings
- Clean and lube regularly
Donts:
- Force yourself through the gaskets
- Apply sunscreen before getting into the suit
- Leave your suit in the sun or a hot car
Final Thoughts
A dry suit is a big investment. However, with proper care, it can last for many river seasons and keep you safer on the river. Dry suits are highly specialized pieces of equipment, and the zippers and rubber seals require particular attention and care. Check out our latest YouTube video to learn more.
