Drysuits & Undersuits

Your Habitat in the North Atlantic

In our local waters, thermal protection is the foundation of every mission. At Oceanauts Diving, we exclusively stock Trilaminate (Membrane) drysuits. We believe trilaminate is superior to traditional neoprene due to its neutral buoyancy, rapid drying times, and unparalleled flexibility. Unlike neoprene, which has several drawbacks; a trilaminate suit acts as a rugged, waterproof shell, allowing you to perfectly calibrate your warmth using a modular undersuit system across all seasons.

From "Off the Peg" standard sizes to fully bespoke "Made to Measure" configurations, our suits are chosen for their durability and ability to handle the rigors of Irish Sea diving.

Drysuits & Undersuits
Oceanauts Academy: Tech Tip ⚙️ +

The Science of Staying Warm & Dry 

A drysuit is only as good as the insulation inside it. To stay warm in water that can drop to 4ºC, you must manage moisture and airspace with technical precision.

1. The "Cotton Kills" Rule

Never wear cotton (jeans, t-shirts, hoodies) under your drysuit. Cotton is "hydrophilic", it pulls moisture away from your skin but refuses to let it go. When you sweat or have a minor leak, the cotton becomes a cold, wet compress that will strip heat from your body the moment you stop moving.

  • The Standard: Use synthetic "wicking" base layers and specialized Thinsulate or fleece mid-layers. These move moisture to the outside of the garment, keeping your skin dry and your core warm.

2. Made to Measure (MTM) vs. Off the Peg

  • Off the Peg: Great for standard frames. It is the most cost-effective way to get into a drysuit.
  • Made to Measure: If you fall outside standard size charts, MTM is a game-changer. A perfectly fitted suit eliminates "air pockets" in the legs (which cause floaty feet) and "tight spots" in the reach (which hinder valve drills). In technical diving, a MTM suit is an investment in safety and mobility.

3. Why We Choose Trilaminate 

We prioritize trilaminate because it offers constant buoyancy. Because the material doesn't compress, your weighting stays the same at 10m as it does at 40m. It also allows for much greater range of motion, which is critical for reaching your valves or managing a long-hose deployment, plus it's just more comfortable on a dive.

4. Dry Glove Systems: The Irish Sea Essential 

If your hands are cold, your dive is over. While a pair of 3mm neoprene gloves is often perfectly fine for the milder Irish summer (when surface temps can reach 14∘C--16∘C), the winter drop to 6∘C--8∘C can be brutal on your dexterity.

  • The Winter Solution: We recommend integrated Dry Glove Systems for year-round diving.
  • Dexterity: Unlike thick 7mm neoprene "mittens," dry gloves allow you to maintain the tactile "feel" needed to operate bolt snaps, reels, and computers with precision.
  • Warmth: By allowing air to circulate from the suit into the glove, your hands stay at the same temperature as your core. This is the single best upgrade you can make to extend your diving season through the winter months.

Oceanauts Standard: A drysuit should fit perfectly, comfortable enough to move in, but streamlined enough to minimize drag. We recommend a modular undersuit system (Base/Mid/Outer) to allow you to dive comfortably through all four seasons.