Gill Trockenanzug Performance Junior + Dry Fashion Antipilling Fleece Underall im Set What are dry suits?
History of dry suits
Since dinghy sailing and sailing in general have a direct contact with the water, clothing from the diving sector is often used. In tropical and subtropical areas, the first pearl and sponge-divers followed its activity bare or only in the loin-skirt, but also these waters are sensitive cool in bigger depths, the so-called jump-layer and with longer stay. Since the divers were often slaves, little importance was attached to it. Konrad Kyeser describes leather diving suits for military use around 1405.
The lower water temperatures in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, for example, made it essential to protect the body from heat loss. In the second half of the 17th century, divers in leather suits were lowered in a diving bell to the wreck of Vasa to salvage the cannons. These suits offered little heat protection, but rather protected them from cuts or the like. Otherwise we dived into swimsuits as before. With Charles Goodyear's invention of rubber vulcanization in 1839, a robust waterproof material became available. The insulating effect of the rubber itself was negligible, but since the diver remained largely dry in the suit, he could wear warming underwear made of wool.
Until the 1940s, rubberized suits were used in particular by the first combat swimmers in order not to cool off during long swimming missions and to remain combat-capable. As the warming effect progressed and freedom of movement was maintained, sailors began to use dry suits. For some years now, textile laminate (trilaminate) has also been used for dry suits.
How does your dry suit stay tight for as long as possible?
In order to care for your dry suit properly, there are various care sets that ensure that the cuffs are longer and more flexible durable, do not become brittle. A second risk area is the zipper, which you can lubricate regularly with similar care sets and thus keep tight and at the same time easily running. You should also take off things like jewellery or watches before slipping through the latex cuffs. Regular impregnation and the unconditional avoidance of walking on pure feet without shoes extend the durability of your dry suit many times over.
Quality features of new dry suits
Modern dry suits differ in many ways from earlier generations. Nowadays, almost all dry suits are equipped with pleasant feet. That way you can wear warm stockings. In addition, the neck and arm cuffs are often made of neoprene which is much more comfortable to wear than the latex products. The basic material today is absolutely high-tech - 100% waterproof and at the same time breathable to remove perspiration. Details such as pockets for safety knives or reinforced seats with optimised fits and maximum freedom of movement make these modern dry suits ingenious performance garments.
The practical dry suit for sailors and watersports
With a dry suit, leisure activities and hobbies such as sailing, kite surfing or kayaking, sup and canoeing can still be practiced even in the cold season. Depending on the application, however, the dry suits differ in their equipment and workmanship. Particularly at cooler temperatures, special attention should be paid to good thermal insulation or a warming lining.
Dry suits with neoprene cuffs insulate particularly well due to their material properties and are particularly popular with kite surfers. The robust material does not interfere with sporting activities and has excellent insulating properties.
Active sailors, on the other hand, will be enthusiastic about a dry suit with additional booties and cuffs. A good dry suit should be waterproof, but still breathable. Additional features such as cuffs on the neck and wrists ensure that no water can actually penetrate these areas. For longer durability, all our dry suits are also equipped with a reinforced knee and seat section.