{"id":8740,"date":"2026-06-02T08:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flipsoc.de\/?p=8740"},"modified":"2026-10-04T14:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:13:13","slug":"how-to-put-on-a-dive-suit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flipsoc.de\/en\/how-to-put-on-a-dive-suit\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Put On a Dive Suit: Tips for Wetsuits, Semi-Dry and Drysuits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunshine, 28 \u00b0C air temperature at the lake \u2013 and there you are, sweating next to your tank, trying to squeeze into a 7 mm suit. Anyone who has ever had to put on a dive suit<\/strong> knows the problem: the material is thicker than on any surf or swim wetsuit, the suit fits tightly, and by the time everything is in place, including boots, hood and gloves, you\u2019re already ready for a break.<\/p>

Then there\u2019s the setting. The lake shore is covered in gravel, the boat is rocking, and on a dive holiday the sun beats down on the black neoprene. And not every dive suit works the same way: wetsuits, semi-dry suits and drysuits differ considerably \u2013 including when you put them on.<\/p>

We at FlipSoc explain the differences, show you a sensible order at the dive site and on the boat, and share tips to avoid overheating before you even get into the water.<\/p>

In short:<\/strong> The best way to put on a dive suit is sitting down, working from your feet upwards in small sections instead of yanking at the edges. Boots go on after the suit, hood and gloves last. In hot weather, only put the top half on shortly before the dive. Drysuits with latex or silicone seals need their own, especially careful technique.<\/p><\/div>

What types of dive suits are there?<\/h2>

There are three basic types: the wetsuit, the semi-dry suit and the drysuit. They differ in how much water reaches your body, and that affects warmth, use and how you put them on.<\/p>
Suit type<\/th>How it works<\/th>Typical use<\/th>Putting it on<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Wetsuit<\/td>A little water gets in and is warmed by the body<\/td>Warm to temperate waters, often 3\u20137 mm<\/td>Tight, more strenuous the thicker it gets<\/td><\/tr>
Semi-dry suit<\/td>Tight seals and a gas-tight zip greatly reduce water exchange<\/td>Cooler waters, often 7 mm, e.g. lakes in Central Europe<\/td>Very tight, snug seals make it harder to slip through<\/td><\/tr>
Drysuit<\/td>No contact with water, warmth comes from the undersuit<\/td>Cold water, long dives<\/td>Looser cut, but delicate latex or silicone seals<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

At the same water temperature, dive suits are usually thicker than surf wetsuits. The reason: when diving you move less and therefore generate less heat, and at depth the neoprene is compressed by the water pressure and insulates less well. You\u2019ll find more basics in our article on diving in a wetsuit<\/a>.<\/p>

Why is a dive suit so hard to put on?<\/h2>

A dive suit is hard to put on because the neoprene is thick and therefore less stretchy, the suit has to fit snugly to keep you warm, and the seals close especially tightly. The thicker the material, the more force each centimetre takes.<\/p>

You can\u2019t simply pull a 7 mm semi-dry suit over your calf like a thin swim wetsuit. The material bunches up, forms rolls and sticks, especially to damp or sweaty skin. On top of that, there are inner seals at the wrists and ankles that often add extra sealing on semi-dry suits and slow you down as you slip through.<\/p>

If you then yank at the edges, you risk not only fingernail tears but also overstretched seams. Especially with expensive semi-dry suits, a gentle technique is worth it.<\/p>

How do you put on a wetsuit or semi-dry suit properly?<\/h2>

The best way to put on a wetsuit or semi-dry suit is sitting down, starting with your feet and working the material upwards bit by bit. This saves energy and protects the seams and seals.<\/p>

  1. Prepare:<\/strong> Take off your watch, rings and jewellery, keep your fingernails short. Lay out a mat or towel to stand on.<\/li>
  2. Sit down:<\/strong> Sit on a bench, a box or the boat bench. Sitting down, you have both hands free and no balance problems.<\/li>
  3. Legs in:<\/strong> Push your foot through the seal, then work the neoprene over your calf and knee in small sections. Grip with your fingertips, not your nails.<\/li>
  4. Hips and crotch:<\/strong> Stand up, pull the suit up to your hips and position it properly in the crotch. Check the knee pads.<\/li>
  5. Arms:<\/strong> First one arm through the seal, push the material up, then the second.<\/li>
  6. Shoulders and creases:<\/strong> Work the shoulders upwards and smooth out creases on your back.<\/li>
  7. Zip:<\/strong> With a back zip, close it with the pull cord or with your buddy\u2019s help. Close gas-tight zips slowly and without any fabric caught in them.<\/li><\/ol>

    We explain the basic technique for all wetsuits in detail in our guide to putting on a wetsuit<\/a>.<\/p>

    What\u2019s different with a drysuit?<\/h2>

    With a drysuit, you first put on the undersuit and then step through the entry into the looser-cut suit. The biggest challenge is the neck and wrist seals made of latex or silicone, which are delicate and need to be stretched very carefully.<\/p>

    Because drysuits are built in very different ways, the main rule here is: follow the manufacturer\u2019s instructions and have someone show you how to put the suit on and take it off during your drysuit course. This practice is part of the training, because buoyancy control and venting air also differ significantly from a wetsuit.<\/p>

    For drysuits with latex or silicone seals, divers use special accessories from the manufacturers. Household neoprene care products such as oils are off-limits there, because they can damage latex.<\/p>

    When do you put on boots, hood and gloves?<\/h2>

    Put your boots on after the suit, and your hood and gloves right at the end, shortly before you put on your gear or get into the water. That keeps your fingers free as long as possible for the zip, BCD and gear check.<\/p>