Drysuits

A properly fitted drysuit is one of the most important pieces of equipment for cold-water diving. It keeps you warm, comfortable, and focused, allowing you to extend your dive season and enjoy longer, safer dives in local conditions. At Nanaimo Dive Outfitters, we help divers choose drysuits that match their body type, diving style, and long-term goals.

Fit, materials, seals, and accessories all matter. The right combination makes drysuit diving feel natural instead of complicated.

Drysuit materials and construction

We carry drysuits designed for recreational, technical, and professional diving. Each material has its own advantages depending on how and where you dive.

Trilaminate drysuits
Trilaminate suits are made from layered fabrics bonded together. They are lightweight, durable, and dry quickly. These suits do not provide insulation on their own, so warmth is controlled entirely by your undergarments. They are very popular with technical divers and anyone who wants consistent buoyancy and easy mobility.

Neoprene drysuits
Neoprene drysuits provide inherent insulation and a more streamlined fit. They tend to feel warmer with thinner undergarments and offer good durability. Buoyancy characteristics can change slightly with depth, which is something we help divers account for during setup and training.

Crushed neoprene drysuits
Crushed neoprene combines durability with reduced buoyancy change at depth. These suits are extremely tough and popular with technical and commercial divers who want warmth, flexibility, and long service life.

Drysuit brands we carry

We work with manufacturers known for quality, fit options, and proven performance in cold water:

• • BARE
  • Hollis
  • DUI
  • Fourth Element

Each brand offers different cut styles, material options, and feature sets. Our staff can help you compare models and determine what best suits your diving needs.

Undergarments and thermal systems

Undergarments are what actually keep you warm inside a drysuit. Layering is key.

We help divers choose insulation based on:

• • Water temperature
  • Dive duration
  • Personal cold tolerance
  • Suit material and fit

We stock thermal systems designed to work properly under drysuits, including base layers and insulating layers that manage moisture and maintain warmth without restricting movement.

Drysuit accessories and components

We carry essential drysuit accessories and replacement parts, including:

• • Drysuit hoods
  • Drysuit neck seals and wrist seals
  • Dry glove systems
  • Inflator valves
  • Exhaust valves
  • Seal care products and maintenance items

Whether you’re setting up a new suit or maintaining an older one, we can help keep everything functioning properly.

Drysuit training and rentals

Drysuit diving requires proper instruction. We offer SDI Dry Suit Diver training to help divers learn buoyancy control, emergency procedures, and efficient drysuit use in local conditions.

We also offer drysuit rentals for certified drysuit divers, making it easy to stay warm while traveling or while deciding which suit to purchase.

Need help choosing a drysuit?

Drysuits are a long-term investment. Our team will walk you through:

• • Proper sizing and fit
  • Material selection
  • Undergarment options
  • Valve placement and accessories
  • Training and rental options

Whether you’re buying your first drysuit or upgrading your current setup, we’ll help you build a system that works for Nanaimo and beyond.