When it comes to preparing for a day of water activities, wearing a wetsuit is essential. They provide thermal protection, ensuring your safety during the diving adventure. But what about wearing an undergarment beneath the suit?<\/p>\n
While that seems like a small detail, adding another layer beneath the diving outfit can impact your hygiene and comfort.<\/p>\n
So, do you wear underwear under a wetsuit? That\u2019s what we\u2019ll find out in this article. Keep reading to find out!<\/p>\n
Generally, wearing undergarments under a wetsuit is a personal preference. However, it\u2019s recommended to wear underwear underneath the suit if you\u2019re going to rent it.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s to ensure optimal hygiene and protection\u2014you don\u2019t want to have skin-to-suit contact when someone else\u2019s raw flesh has been touching the fabric!<\/p>\n
That said, you should wear specialized swimming undergarments, not your regular underwear. The former is usually made of quick-drying, stretchy material and can help hold the wetsuit<\/a> in place.<\/p>\n Wearing something loose, like regular underwear, can create spaces beneath the suit. Not only does that allow a lot of water to flush into the wetsuit, keeping you cold, but it can also impair your movement. That\u2019s especially true if you\u2019re wearing cotton-based undergarments.<\/p>\n That material absorbs moisture up to 24-27 times its weight. As mentioned earlier, that can weigh you down and slow your movement. It can also cause chafing<\/a>\u2014yes, this unpleasant skin condition can occur during water activities.<\/p>\n Putting on underwear underneath a wetsuit is usually a good idea. For one, it\u2019s hygienic and protects you from skin diseases. Additionally, it can provide extra thermal protection when diving in cold water. Not to mention, it might increase your suit\u2019s lifespan.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a detailed explanation of why you should wear underwear beneath a wetsuit:<\/p>\n Without proper maintenance, wetsuits can harbor a ton of harmful organisms. Think about it: the diving outfit is always wet. That\u2019s an ideal environment for microorganisms, such as mold and bacteria, to flourish.<\/p>\n Now, many sources can contaminate the wetsuit with harmful germs. For starters, fresh or marine water contains numerous microorganisms naturally living there.<\/p>\n Additionally, the human skin is home to various bacteria, fungi, and viruses. While those microorganisms are beneficial, when given the appropriate conditions<\/a>, such as illnesses, they can become opportunistic and cause infections.<\/p>\n As you can see, wearing wetsuits can be risky. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to wear undergarments to protect yourself from skin diseases.<\/p>\n Sure, your wetsuit, in and of itself, is enough to keep you warm,<\/a> thanks to the neoprene. The rubber traps a thin layer of water. Your body then heats that water, which keeps you warm<\/a> the entire time you\u2019re in the ocean.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, neoprene, the synthetic rubber used in making wetsuits, is an insulator. Thanks to its foam structure, neoprene traps air bubbles, which are bad conductors of heat. As a result, your body doesn\u2019t cool down even when surrounded by cold seawater.<\/p>\n All that sounds great, but what do undergarments have to do with keeping you warm?<\/p>\n The answer is layering! The tight underwear will add another layer of insulation. Piling on thin layers ensures you maintain a high body temperature, as they help trap more air. Not to mention, it\u2019s usually more comfortable to wear thin wetsuits because you can move freely in them.<\/p>\n Thick wetsuits<\/a>, on the other hand, are less flexible. Consequently, they impair your movement.<\/p>\n Whether you own an open-cell or a closed-cell wetsuit, adding another layer beneath can provide more comfort. That\u2019s because it\u2019ll prevent the inside material from rubbing against your skin, which can be painful. That\u2019s especially true if you spend many hours in the water.<\/p>\n Aside from being comfortable, wearing undergarments under a wetsuit offers convenience. That\u2019s because the added layer can make it easier to take off the diving outfit after getting out of the water, which can be a pain in the neck sometimes.<\/p>\n Plus, you don\u2019t have to worry about changing in public areas, where there\u2019s little to no privacy. With a protective layer beneath the suit, it\u2019s possible to take off the diving outfit quickly whenever the wetsuit feels uncomfortable.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, neoprene can rub against your skin while diving. That friction not only damages your skin but tears the wetsuit<\/a> as well.<\/p>\nWhy Should You Wear Underwear Under a Wetsuit?<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0 Hygiene<\/h3>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0 Added Layer of Warmth<\/h3>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0 Comfort<\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0 Wetsuit Protection<\/h3>\n