On the lookout for the best wetsuit or drysuit for your jet ski? In today’s guide, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of both of these and suggest some of our favorites. There is also a helpful guide for how to put it on.
Most people only go jet skiing during the summer. But a good PWC wetsuit or drysuit can let you start your season earlier and stay out longer.
Most people who like watercraft would agree that the more time you can spend on the water, the better.
It can be hard to find the best wetsuit or drysuit for jet skiing, especially if you are big or if you are on a tight budget. There are options in this guide for people of all shapes, sizes, and budgets.
How Much Does a Jet Ski Suit Cost?
Price ranges for both wetsuits and drysuits for jet skis depend on the brand, size, and thickness of the suit. Most of the time, a good PWC suit costs between $200 and $700.
Neoprene Jet Ski Wetsuit ($300)
O’Neill Drysuit (~$750)
This may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that a wetsuit is meant to last for years. There are some great cheap options, but they usually don’t last as long.
It’s better to just use jet ski clothing alternatives than to buy a cheap suit. Rash guards and tour coats are cheap and will last longer than a poorly made suit. Sometimes, that and a good pair of shoes are enough to get through a mild winter.
Jet Ski Wetsuits Vs Jet Ski Drysuits
One of the first things to figure out is how wetsuits and drysuits work and what they are best for. Even though it seems like common sense, many people are surprised by the science behind them.
Jet Ski Wetsuits
The way wetsuits work goes against what most people think about how clothes keep you warm.
Wetsuits are tight-fitting neoprene suits that trap a thin layer of water against the body to keep the body warm. Many people think that wetsuits keep water out and keep us warm because of that, but that’s not true.
As our bodies give off heat, the suit’s thin layer of water soaks it up. Neoprene is the main material used to make wetsuits. It is a stretchy, sponge-like polymer that keeps the warm water around our bodies inside the suit. If the water can get out, it will take any extra heat with it.
Basically, a wetsuit is made for two things:
- Keep you warm
- Taking care of your body
Jet Ski Drysuits
Most people think that a jet ski dry suit makes more sense. They keep the body dry, which helps keep the body warm.
Drysuits keep you dry by making a watertight seal around your body and trapping a small layer of air inside the suit. This pocket of air keeps you warmer than a wetsuit does because it acts as insulation.
Drysuits can be made from different kinds of materials, but neoprene and other stretchy materials are often used. Drysuits can be tight, but most of the time they are pretty roomy. Most of the time, they are worn with other cold-weather clothes to make them even warmer.
Jet ski drysuits are known to keep people warm most of the time. But they are much more likely to make it harder to move. This is a tough trade-off to avoid, so it comes down to what each person wants.
In short, a dry suit does the same things that a wetsuit does, but it keeps you warmer and drier. But it doesn’t have the same freedom.
Which One Do I Need?
Both choices can be good in different ways.
Wetsuits for personal watercraft (PWC) are made with padding and grips around the knees and flexible back and arm areas to fit the riders’ posture.
The same things are less likely to be on a dry suit. Wetsuits are more athletic, and they can also be much cheaper. Ultimately, this depends on the brand, but in general, they tend to be a little cheaper.
On the other hand, people can stay dry when they wear a dry suit. They are usually much warmer, and in recent years they have become much more mobile than they used to be. Aside from that, they can also have extra features like padded knees and seats.
In the end, your choice depends on three things:
- The weather where you will use it. You need a jetski wetsuit if the weather and water are usually warm.
- Whether you plan to do anything else besides jet skiing. For instance, will you spearfish or do other water sports? If so, you probably don’t want a dry suit that makes you move less than a wetsuit.
Getting the Right Fit
The way a PWC wetsuit fits will be different from how a drysuit fits. It’s important to know how something fits before you try it on because it can surprise some people when they do.
Different brands of wetsuits and drysuits have different sizes. Always check the measurements, not just the size.
How to Fit a Wetsuit
Getting the right fit is very important because it will affect how well the wetsuit keeps you warm and how easily you can move.
A wet suit is meant to fit snugly, but not so tight that you lose feeling in your limbs.
Fitting Guide:
- A wetsuit that fits well won’t slip on easily when it’s dry. It should be a little tricky!
- Put on the suit and make sure all the zippers are closed (and work properly). At the knees, elbows, torso/crotch, and shoulders, there shouldn’t be any extra room or bagginess.
- Stretch well while wearing the suit. You should have just a little trouble moving your hands above your head and squatting. If it’s really hard to do these things, you need a bigger wetsuit. The more thick your wetsuit is, the harder it will be to move around.
Tip: Having trouble getting your feet into your wetsuit? Hold on to your socks!
The thickness of a wetsuit is directly related to how warm it is. This is one of the main ways a jet ski wetsuit is different from a jet ski drysuit. Wetsuits are much more sporty than dry suits, in general. Most of the time, they can move and bend more than their dry counterparts.
Wetsuits usually have two different measurements: one for the thickness of the torso, and one for the arms and legs. Most suits are thinner around the joints or limbs to make it easier to move. A good standard jet ski wetsuit has material that is 3mm thick in the chest and body and 2mm thick in the legs and arms.
There are wetsuits that are much thicker, but they don’t work well for PWC riders because they make it hard to move around.
Most suits won’t be very comfortable to wear when they’re dry, which makes sense since they’re meant to be worn wet. If you try on a new wetsuit and find that it’s too tight, don’t give up. Wetsuits are meant to fit closely, especially around the openings.
A well-fitted wetsuit should be tight enough so that the thin layer of water doesn’t leak out, but loose enough so that you can move around and air can flow through it.
For bigger guys, it can be hard to find a good wetsuit. You might have to go to your local PWC, surf, or dive shop more than once before you find one that fits you. Online shops have size charts that are pretty accurate, and they have a better selection of XL wetsuits for people who don’t live near a store.
How to Fit a Drysuit
Drysuits used to be mostly very loose-fitting for a long time. But some companies have started making styles that fit better in the last few years.
One important thing to remember about dry suits is that they usually work best when worn with other cold-weather clothes. This means it can be helpful to have a little extra space inside the suit.
Most jet ski drysuits have some kind of hood with a collar that goes around it. Depending on their body type, some people don’t like having something around their necks.
The collar and hood can make you feel much warmer, but some people find it hard to get used to. Even though this isn’t a big deal for a lot of people, it’s important to keep it in mind.
Fitting Guide:
- If you want to wear clothes under your dry suit, you should try on the suit with the biggest clothes you plan to wear.
- Do a wide range of exercises, such as squatting. Tilt your head forward while you’re in a squat. If the seal around your neck is not tight, you need a bigger torso size. You should feel some resistance, but you shouldn’t have trouble moving.
Best Jet Ski Wetsuits
There is really only one company that makes wetsuits for jet skiing. Jettribe makes the only wetsuits that are made for jet ski riders. They’re very popular in the PWC community, but they’re a bit pricey.
If you can afford it, a Jettribe wetsuit is a great choice. But if you can’t afford one of these, there are great alternatives that will do the same job.
Not everyone can afford a top-of-the-line wetsuit for a jet ski, but there are other options to think about.
Wetsuit Shorty
For people who live in warmer climates, a shorty wetsuit may be the best alternative to a traditional wetsuit. A short suit is different from a normal wetsuit because it doesn’t have full sleeves or legs. They are a great choice for spring and fall.
Because they use less material, short suits are often cheaper. Keep in mind that they aren’t the best for riding in the winter because they don’t cover as much ground.
In terms of how it works, a short suit is the same as the longer option. Only the length of the arms and legs is really different. Some people like them not only because they are cheap but also because they are easy to move. Because the sleeves and legs are shorter, the knees and elbows can move more, which can make a big difference for many people.
If you can’t afford a full suit and the weather in your area lets you, a short suit is a way to go.
This suit from O’Neill is made of neoprene that is extra stretchy and has a collar that can be adjusted for comfort.
Surfing Wetsuit
Wetsuits made for surfing can be used instead of traditional wetsuits for jet skis. They are usually much more flexible than dive suits, which makes them the better choice for people who ride jet skis.
The only real problem with surfing wetsuits is that the knees don’t have as much padding and grip as the rest of the suit. This can make bumpy rides a little more uncomfortable.
There are a few good brands of surfing wetsuits to choose from, but most PWC riders seem to go with O’Neill. They make wetsuits that are of good quality and don’t cost a lot of money. Even though they weren’t made with jet ski riders in mind, they work pretty well overall.
If you can’t get a wetsuit for a jet ski for some reason, a surfing wetsuit is the next best thing.
Best Jet Ski Drysuits
Since dry suits aren’t as sporty, it doesn’t matter as much that there isn’t a specific brand for jet skis.
Even so, you can still choose from a few great options. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even wakeboarding often have these options.
O’Neill Drysuit
This drysuit from O’Neill is great for water sports, so it also works well for jet skiing.
It’s only 3mm thick, so it’s much more flexible than most dry suits, but it won’t keep you as warm as those that are thicker and more durable.
It has a loose upper that is great for riding jet skis and is completely waterproof. If you don’t need a really warm dry suit, we really think you should look at this one. Paddlers and people who ride jet skis love how easy it is to move around on.
The price is also very good for a dry suit.
Hollis Neotek Semi-Drysuit
Even though this is called a “semi-drysuit,” it is one of the warmest options available. Divers like it, and some say they’ve worn it in temperatures as low as the mid-30s and felt warm.
When you rent a jet ski, the rental company will often give you a dry suit. For example, tours with jet ski rentals in New York come with free dry suits.
This suit has a lot of well-thought-out details that make it great, but the front zipper is one of the best. Having a front zipper makes it so much easier to put on and take off, which can be a big hassle.
Each side of the suit has pockets that are easy to get to. They’re pretty big, which may be a good thing for some people. All of the seams are double-glued, which makes them strong and long-lasting.
This is not by any means the cheapest option, but it might be one of the best.
Other Jet Ski Gear for Cold Weather
These are some ways to dress for a jet ski that almost anyone can afford. Wetsuits and drysuits can be expensive, but that’s no reason not to keep warm. Normal jet ski gear doesn’t work as well in cold weather, but it can still do a great job.
If you live somewhere very warm, you might be able to get by with just these.
These are some of the most useful clothes for jet skis that you should think about.
Tank Top
A rash guard is one of the best and most popular things you can wear instead of a jet ski wetsuit. A rash guard is a form-fitting top that can be worn by itself, under a wetsuit, or over swimwear.
Rash guards are like compression shorts in a lot of ways. Most of the time, riders wear them to keep from getting rashes (hence the name), but they can also be worn to keep from getting sunburned. They are usually a lot cheaper than full wetsuits and come in a wider range of sizes.
A rash guard is a great choice for many people who can’t find a wetsuit that fits well. They can be worn in many ways, are cheap, and are much easier to clean than a full suit. Most rash guards are pretty much the same, but Quicksilver makes one of the best ones.
Coat Tour
Tour coats are neoprene jackets with a loose fit that are meant to go over your PFD. They are usually worn with a wetsuit or drysuit for a jet ski, but they can also be worn on their own. Tour coats are also a good choice for kids who don’t like how tight traditional wetsuits are.
Instead of a tight-fitting suit, many people would rather wear board shorts and a tour coat. This outfit is like a wetsuit made out of sweatpants and a hoodie.
Jet Ski Shoes
Jet ski shoes are also used by a lot of people who ride.
Without getting too specific, the main reason to wear jet ski shoes is to protect your feet. Your feet will not only stay warm, but they will also be safe from any sharp things in the water. If you wear jet ski shoes, you won’t slip and hurt your toes.
Some people also wear neoprene socks to take things a step further. Neoprene socks work better than most other socks and can help keep your feet warm even in water that is very cold.
Taking a Look Around
Before you find the best jet ski wetsuit or the best jet ski drysuit for your needs, you might have to try a few on. When it comes to clothes that will keep you warm on the water, it’s good to have more than one option.
Many people find that suits with a john and a jacket work best for them. John and jacket suits are just a wetsuit and a tour jacket put together. They keep riders warm on really cold days when they are worn together. The john, which is the actual suit, can also be worn without the jacket if it’s not cold enough for both.
When it’s just a little chilly in the morning on the water, riders can wear a jacket with some board shorts to stay warm and comfortable. When it gets warmer, riders can take off their jackets. A lot of riders like the last choice because the jacket and board shorts are so comfortable.
A simple rash guard under a PFD and a tour coat on top is another popular choice. The tour coat is easy to take off and is comfortable. Many riders like this pair because it keeps them warm on the water and doesn’t make them feel suffocated.
You can figure out what works best for you by trying out different combinations. Most of the time, it works best to have a lot of things to mix and match. It’s good to have options because every day on the water is different.
What are your “go-to” clothes for jet skiing? In the comments section, please tell us what you think!
