Through all my years of dinghy sailing, especially come Laser frostbite season, the debate has carried on in my head: what's it going to be today, wetsuit or drysuit? If I'm certain I'm not going to be spending much time in the water, the wetsuit's the way to go: it's simply less cumbersome than a drysuit and less likely to snag on my mainsheet during tacks and jibes, as my drysuit tends to do. But, I'm no fan of relieving myself in a wetsuit-never have been, never will be-and after a few hours of sailing, the wetsuit chill inevitably sets in, even if I'm dry (rubber is a heat conductor after all). So in the past few years, I've become a greater fan of the drysuit, if for only one reason: I like being dry on a cold winter's day. When I'm dry, I'm concentrating, which means I'm sailing smarter (hopefully) and faster.

Buying a drysuit is a straightforward affair, but it does pay to shop around and try on different brands. A drysuit must accommodate bulky under layers and a wide range of body types so one brand may fit better than another. Obviously, you want one that's streamlined (i.e., less baggy) and one that will last for years, but there are a few other key details: especially the zipper type and location, and, most importantly, the seals. Let's take a look at the most popular offerings on the racks and what each has to offer.

Musto MPX

Musto MPX
One inherent problem with drysuits past was the lack of breathability. As you hiked your way around the racecourse, you'd essentially steam in your perspiration. Perspiration begets heat loss, and eventually, chills. This problem is virtually eliminated with the use of Gore-Tex and similar fabrics nowadays, provided you layer properly with wicking fabrics. Repeat: proper wicking fabrics-without them it's senseless to pay for an expensive breathable suit.

The Musto MPX uses Gore-Tex's top-of-the-line breathable fabric, which contributes to it being at the upper end of the price range ($675). But it's well worth it. Given the price point, Musto doesn't skimp on the details, and this drysuit is very well designed-in fact, says Musto's John Clemenson, it's so well designed they haven't changed it in years, and don't intend to do so. A great feature is its zipper, which is very flexible and runs smoothly over the shoulder without buckling. "We've tried back and front zippers," says Clemenson, "but we found the front zip is best because it's more comfortable; you don't have to have someone nearby to make sure the zipper is fully closed, and it's easier to vent the suit from time to time."

The legs and arms are articulated, providing a more comfortable fit when sitting in a crouched position for long periods and less fabric pile-up at the bend points (elbows and knees). There is heavyweight Cordura reinforcement in the seat and knees, a thigh pocket, and a waist belt that cinches excess fabric.

While most manufacturers have gone to neoprene for neck and wrist seals, Musto is sticking with good old-fashioned latex, which makes the drysuit technically watertight. All said, this is a drysuit that, with religious rinsing and care, will last a dinghy-sailing lifetime-in other words, your knees will likely fail before it does. www.musto.com

Henri Lloyd Stealth

Henri-Lloyd Stealth
Using the lightweight TP1 breathable fabric it uses in some of its wet weather gear, Henri-Lloyd has come up with a suit that's priced very well ($449) in the drysuit range. The fabric is some of the lightest, most supple, breathable fabric you'll find: if your trading up from your PVC drysuit, you won't believe it's actually waterproof. Purists will argue that this suit, with its neoprene neck and wrist seals, is not technically as waterproof as it would be with latex seals, but Henri-Lloyd's Jeff Earl assures us that the neoprene is plenty watertight. "If the suit is properly burped [crouching and releasing the air inside]," he says, "you'll get a good, tight seal."

The advantage of the neoprene seal, he adds, is comfort, and ultimately fewer seal replacements over the life of the suit. It also lessens the need to custom-cut restrictive latex seals, which, if not done carefully, can introduce nicks. "Once you nick a latex seal, which is easy to do if you leave your watch on when you're stripping off the suit," he says, "you'll eventually need to replace it." The suit does have latex booties, however, which is critical, given the heat loss neoprene booties would induce from your extremities.

The front-zipper design on the Stealth is excellent; it's flexible and lays nearly flush with the suit. They use a T-ZIP zipper, which, unlike most metal drysuit zippers, allows you to restart the zipper should it jump its track. Essential features include thigh and sleeve pockets, internal braces to hold the suit up (you want a drysuit to hang off your shoulders, not your waist), and Cordura reinforcement in the knees and seat.
www.henrilloydonline.com

Gul Code Zero

Gul Code Zero
One way to streamline a drysuit without restricting movement, says Gul's Gareth Knocker, is to simply build stretch into the suit, as they've done with their Code Zero Stretch Front Zip Drysuit. Using a watertight neoprene back panel that continues into the underarms, he says, the Code Zero does away with the restrictive feel of a typical drysuit. "The whole point is that, when you're leaning in, it's not riding up your back," says Knocker. "It's a snugger fit so there's less material flapping around." The neoprene panels have a membrane on the inside so waterproofness, I'm told, is guaranteed. The rest of the garment is made of Gul's most durable four-layer fabric, which Knocker says makes for a "ballistic suit." The seat and knees are reinforced,  and the zipper is heavy-gauge metal.

At $720 this drysuit is at the upper end of the price range, but it does have all the necessary features: internal suspenders, reinforced knees and seat, and a thigh cargo pocket. The neck and wrist seals are Glide Skin neoprene, which has a smooth lining on the skin side that has low heat conduction, and is ultimately more comfortable, and more watertight than straight neoprene. The suit's latex booties are protected by long, overhanging cuffs. www.gulusa.com