Buying guide: diving clothing

In short

Around your suit, a few items of clothing make a diving day more comfortable: a rash guard or UV top in warm water, an undersuit for extra warmth, an insulating undergarment under a drysuit, and surface wear (changing robe, boat coat) to stay warm between dives. They are inexpensive compared with the rest of your equipment and save you a lot of shivering.

Why it matters

Diving does not stop when you leave the water. The boat ride, wind on wet skin and the surface interval between two dives cool you down more than the dive itself. In warm water, on the other hand, the sun quickly burns wet skin. Suitable clothing helps you stay fit for the next dive.

Clothing worn in the water

Garment	Use	Pros	Cons
Lycra / UV suit	Warm water, snorkelling, under a wetsuit	Protects from the sun and chafing, makes it easier to put on a wetsuit	No thermal insulation
Thin neoprene top or shorts (0.5 to 2 mm)	Layer under a wetsuit	Extra warmth on the torso, without restricting movement	Adds a little buoyancy, so more weight
Thermal undersuit (fleece-lined, technical fabric)	Under a wetsuit, or on its own in very warm water	Dries quickly, comfortable	Limited protection on its own
Drysuit undergarment	Under a drysuit	Insulation adjustable to the temperature	Must stay dry; thickness to take into account when sizing the drysuit

Under a drysuit

• A breathable base layer (merino wool or synthetic) that wicks away sweat.
• An insulating undergarment: thin fleece for temperate water, thick quilted undergarment for cold water.
• Warm socks and, in very cold water, an electric heating system offered by some manufacturers (specific training and checks).
• Avoid cotton: once wet with sweat or a leak, it no longer insulates.

Surface wear

Garment	Use	Selection tips
Towelling or microfibre changing robe	Changing on the boat or the beach, drying off	Long enough to change under cover, hood, inside pocket
Parka or boat coat	Windproof and warm, worn straight over a wet suit	Windproof and waterproof outer, fleece lining, can be worn wet
Beanie, cap, sunglasses	Between dives	A cap and sunglasses protect your eyes from glare
Deck shoes	Boat and quay	Non-slip sole, quick-drying

After the dive, take off your wet suit as soon as possible, dry yourself and cover up. Wind on a wet suit cools you down very fast, even in summer.

Choosing well

• Size: clothing worn under the suit must stay thin and close-fitting; a layer that is too thick makes the suit too tight.
• Materials: choose fabrics that dry quickly and stay warm when wet.
• Sun protection: a high textile UV protection factor (UPF) protects better than sunscreen, which pollutes the water.
• Weights: a neoprene layer or a thicker undergarment changes your buoyancy; redo your weight check.

A few manufacturers

Non-exhaustive list, in alphabetical order, with no ranking and no sponsored link. Generalist manufacturers offer rash guards, tops and changing robes; thermal protection specialists also offer drysuit undergarments and boat coats. Check their current range on their website.

Manufacturer	Official website	Range
Aqualung	aqualung.com	Generalist
Bare	baresports.com	Specialist
Beuchat	beuchat.fr	Generalist
Cressi	cressi.com	Generalist
Fourth Element	fourthelement.com	Specialist
Mares	mares.com	Generalist
Santi	santidiving.com	Specialist
Scubapro	scubapro.com	Generalist
Seac	seacsub.com	Generalist
Waterproof	waterproof.eu	Specialist

Key takeaways

• A UV rash guard protects you from the sun in warm water and makes it easier to put on your wetsuit.
• A thin layer under your suit adds warmth; redo your weight check.
• Under a drysuit: a breathable base layer and suitable insulation, never cotton.
• A changing robe and a boat coat keep you warm between dives.

Further reading

The wetsuit buying guide and the thermal protection guide explain how to choose your protection according to the temperature. The boat bag guide helps you not to forget anything.