Do You Wear Anything Under a Wetsuit?
When you are swimming, scuba diving, paddle boarding, surfing, or any other water sport, your focus needs to be on your activity. Your wetsuit should be comfortable and allow you to participate in your water sports safely and enjoyably.
You do not need to wear anything under your wetsuit. However, if you are uneasy with ‘going commando’, there are options of what you can comfortably wear under your wetsuit. Whether you wear something under your wetsuit or not, it needs to be your own personal choice.
Wetsuits can be a challenge to get and out of. You do not want the undergarments you choose to inference with the ease of putting on your wetsuit or with the comfort of wearing it. Continue reading for ideas of what to wear or not when clad in a wetsuit.
Wearing Nothing Under Your Wetsuit
Wetsuits are made to be tight-fitting, which is why some water enthusiasts prefer wearing nothing under them. Wetsuits are effective at keeping you warm because they create a thin layer of water between you and the wetsuit. Your body heat warms that thin layer of water. Many water enthusiasts choose not to wear any undergarments because they feel that your body heats up more rapidly without any other layers between you and the wetsuit.
Another reason not to wear clothes under your wetsuit is the process of putting on and taking off your wetsuit. Wetsuits are tight and rubbery; this makes it a challenge to get dressed and undressed. Not having any other apparel to interfere with this process can make it easier and faster to get ready for the water.
Additionally, being naked under your wetsuit lets you prevent the bunching or wrinkling of your wetsuit. Your wetsuit just slides over your body; no other garments are going to impede it. Wearing undergarments can cause the wetsuit to get stuck as you pull it on. The same thoughts apply to taking off your wetsuit. Since you have no clothes on, the wetsuit cannot get caught on your other clothes.
Lastly, not wearing clothes is a very liberating feeling in any setting. Diving and other water sports provide a sense of freedom. Combing your nakedness with the liberation of the water is a great feeling for many.
Concerns About Wearing Nothing Under Your Wetsuit
Many water aficionados do not feel that you actually warm up faster when naked under your wetsuit. Wearing the appropriate wetsuit for your activity will let the transfer of body heat occur as designed. Wetsuits are made in a variety of thicknesses for different sports. Rely on your wetsuit to do its job instead of your nakedness to assist the wetsuit in warming you.
One issue that results from being naked under your wetsuit is chafing. Rashes that occur from wetsuits are caused by a couple of factors. When wetsuits do not properly fit, irritation can result. Wetsuits that are too tight can cause chafing. Wetsuits need to fit snuggly but should not constrict your movement.
Wetsuits can be a challenge to put on. If not done correctly, you can end up with gaps or wrinkled materials. Without protecting your skin, bunched-up wetsuits can irritate your skin. Wetsuits are sewn together using a variety of techniques. Depending upon where the seams fall on you, abrasion can occur without a soothing layer between your skin and the wetsuit.
Why Wear Something Under Your Wetsuit
To offset issues with chafing, wearing garments under your wetsuit can alleviate some of these discomforts.
- Added Warmth
Wetsuits are worn for several reasons. One key reason to wear a wetsuit is for warmth. Adding a layer of clothing between you and the wetsuit can enhance the effectiveness of the wetsuit. It provides additional protection from the temperature of the water.
Comfort
Comfort Seams of many wetsuits are thick and uncomfortable. Wearing a thin layer of clothing for protection can safeguard your skin from the rubbing of wetsuit seams against your skin. This comfort will be greatly appreciated when you protect your more intimate body parts.
- Cleanliness
Wetsuits are made of neoprene, which is a type of rubber. Proper cleaning of your wetsuit is essential for hygiene and the longevity of your wetsuit. If you are naked in your wetsuit, because of your bodily functions, smells can develop. Adding a layer of clothing between you and the wetsuit that you can machine wash adds to the sanitation of the wetsuit.
- Changing
Preparing for or completing your dive or swim includes the process of putting on and taking off your wetsuit. Both parts of the procedure can be challenging. If you are at the beach or on a boat trying to accomplish this feat, having no clothes on underneath can make some people uncomfortable. You may expose more of yourself than you would like.
Do you know how to dry your wetsuit fast? Here’s 3 ways to do so.
Ideas of What to Wear Under Your Wetsuit
Underneath your wetsuit, there are a few choices of what you can wear. The key is to wear something that does not cause your wetsuit to bunch or wrinkle. Not only is that uncomfortable, but it can also cause your wetsuit to lose effectiveness and/or result in chaffing.
- Fitted Diving or Bicycle Shorts
Fitted diving or bicycle shorts are a great option. Many are made with neoprene or Lycra. Both materials are intended to fit snuggly against your skin. With the fit and material, these garments do not bunch or move on your body. Nor do they hinder your ability to dive or maneuver through the water. With the right fit, these undergarments will make it easy to put on and take off your wetsuit. They will not wrinkle or slide as you don the wetsuit.
- Rash Guards
Rash guards as the name implies are to protect you from rashes. When rash guards were first manufactured, they were designed for surfers. The roughness of surfboards was irritating surfers’ skin. Rash guards are made from lightweight material. This makes them thin enough to be worn under a wetsuit. Rash guards provide protection from chafing.
- Spandex Garments
A wide range of options are available under the spandex or Lycra umbrella. This is a broader grouping than the diving or bicycle shorts. Spandex and Lycra are materials made to stretch and hug your body. This makes them a great fabric to wear under your wetsuit.
Available as full-body suits, briefs, vests, short/long sleeve, the assortment of styles will cover or not cover as much of your body as you wish. A full-body suit will allow you to easily slide into your wetsuit. Because of the composition of the material, your ability to move will not be hindered.
If you do not want a full extra layer, briefs for men that will just protect your private areas are also available. For women, you can wear a one-piece bathing suit made of spandex material. It will cover any sensitive areas for you. With briefs or a bathing suit, you do not need to worry about exposing yourself when changing in and out of your wetsuit.
What Not to Wear Under Your Wetsuit
Wearing men’s swimsuits or trunks are not the best option. Swimsuits in this category tend to be baggier shorts. Trying to fit these under your wetsuit will hamper the fit and effectiveness of your wetsuit. The excess material will be uncomfortable. It will also widen the gap between you and your wetsuit allowing too much water in. Your wetsuit will not keep you as warm as it should.
For women, a bikini, though synonymous with a beach lifestyle, is not as effective under your wetsuit as other options. Depending upon the style of the bikini, the top might not fit snuggly. Therefore, when you change out of your wetsuit, your top might be removed with the wetsuit.
Some bikinis are affixed by tying or knotting the sides of the bottom or back of the top. These knots will cause ridges and bumps in your wetsuit. The concern with this is letting too much water into your wetsuit. The warmth the suit should be providing will be diminished.
Also, bikinis sometimes have sting-ties or other décor that can get stuck in the zipper of your wetsuit. Be careful not to wear any swimsuit with trimmings that will damage your wetsuit. Buckles, belts, and other adornments can puncture your wetsuit.
Related Questions
Are rented wetsuits sanitary?
Rented wetsuits are considered sanitary by the stores that rent them. However, many rental facilities require the renter to clean the wetsuit before returning it. You cannot be certain how well other renters have cleaned the wetsuit. To offset this concern, you may want to wear undergarments when renting.
Can any wetsuit be worn for any water sport?
To ensure you are getting the most protection from your wetsuit, you want to wear one made for your sport. There are different styles, cuts, thicknesses, materials, and stitching depending upon your water activity.
What does to go commando mean?
Going commando means not wearing underwear. Many attribute the phase to troops in the Vietnam War who stopped wearing underwear to avoid fungal infections.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.