How Do I Trim the Gasket on My Dry Suit?

Dry-suit gaskets (also called seals) prevent water from entering the suit at the neck, wrists and ankles. Water enthusiasts such as scuba divers, boaters, kayakers and rafters rely on dry suits to extend their comfort in cold water by enabling them to wear warm clothing under the exposure suit. The gaskets should fit snugly around the extremities, but not constrict blood flow. Users can carefully trim drysuit seals for a snug fit.

  1. Fit

    • Dry-suit seals, or gaskets, are designed to fit snugly against the skin around your neck, wrists and ankles. These seals should not constrict, but remember that the latex and neoprene material stretch with continued use. Manufacturers and distributors caution about trimming the seals because a seal that is cut too closely will eventually leak and require replacement. Put on the dryvsuit and check whether the seals are too tight. Remember that latex seals must lie flat against the skin, so position the neck seal around the middle of your throat to avoid the end rolling under your chin, which will cause a leak. Neoprene seals must be folded and tucked inside the suit. Look in the mirror to see whether the sides of your neck bulge out, indicating constriction. Remove the dry suit and check your neck, wrists and ankles (if applicable) to see whether the seal leaves an impression, another indicator of constriction.

    Stretching

    • Before trimming the seals, consider stretching the new gasket. Manufacturers such as Kokatat do not recommend trimming latex wrist and ankle seals. Measure your neck, wrist and ankles and locate a sturdy container with smooth sides with a circumference slightly wider than than your measurements. For example, scuba divers can use a small scuba tank or bucket for their neck seals; boaters can use a portable air canister for wrist and ankle seals. Insert the seal over the container and gently stretch the gasket to fit. Allow the gasket to stretch on the container for at least two days.

      After the gaskets have been allowed to stretch, wear the dry suit and check the seals again. Observe whether the gaskets have stretched to a more comfortable fit and whether trimming is required.

    Trimming

    • Measure around the gasket that needs trimming and mark the area that corresponds to your measurement (such as around your throat). Remember that the gasket will stretch, so you should not trim at or below this mark. Trimming a gasket to a comfortable fit may simply require trimming the open end less than one inch. Manufacturers warn against excessive trimming or cutting the seal too much because replacement seals are not covered by the dry-suit warranty. Position the open end of the seal so that the edges align -- this will ensure an even trim. Grasp the edges or ask a friend or assistant to hold the aligned edge in place as you cut. Hold a scissor with sharp blades on one side of the seal and carefully cut a only a quarter-inch strip from the open end. Try on the dry suit and check whether the seals do not constrict. If necessary, remove the garment and trim quarter-inch strips until the seals do not constrict. Again, remember that the seals may feel snug or tight, but the gasket will stretch over time.