7 tips to take care of your wetsuit

The wetsuit besides being our second skin in the water, is not exactly cheap. That’s why if we want to preserve it for longer, we will have to take care of it with special attention. Stress, rush, or lack of discipline often lead us to neglect some basics. Basics that won’t take more than 2 minutes and that could help us get the most out of our wetsuits.

7 Tips to Extend the Life of Your Wetsuit

Here we are going to give you 7 tips to help make your wetsuit last longer and stay in better condition:

1. Rinse the wetsuit when you get out of the water. Ideally, as soon as you get out of the water, spend 2 minutes soaking your wetsuit in freshwater. This way you would easily remove the salt. If you don’t rinse it, you run the risk that when the water evaporates, the salt crystallizes. Over time, this will damage your wetsuit and will make it let more water in.
2. Hang your wetsuit from the waist area and not from the shoulders. A wet wetsuit is heavy and the hanger itself can end up damaging our wetsuit if we hang it from the shoulders. You can use a wetsuit hanger like the Surflogic Wetsuit Hanger Pro. For only 17.50 euros, you make sure your wetsuit is well hung.
3. Be careful with the self adhesive. Especially for wetsuits with a back zipper. You have to be careful so that the velcro doesn’t stick to your wetsuit.
4. Do not expose it to the sun for too long. And when drying it, turn it inside out. This way, it will be the inside of the wetsuit that dries first. It is better for the inside of the wetsuit to receive the light. Ultraviolet rays will damage the fibers of your wetsuit, reduce its elasticity, and eventually cause it to crack. In the long run, this will allow more water to enter every time you dive.
5. Take care of the zippers. Zippers are one of the most delicate parts of wetsuits. It is important to rinse the zippers with freshwater. If you use wax for maintenance, make sure it is suitable for them.
6. If a thread comes loose, never pull it. It’s better to cut it with scissors or even burn it with a lighter. If your wetsuit rips, make sure to repair your wetsuit before the hole gets too big. A bit of liquid neoprene is usually enough.
7. If you are one of those who puts the wetsuit in the washing machine, be careful with the program you choose. Do not wash it with hot water or spin dry. And of course, do not iron the wetsuit. There are specific products for cleaning wetsuits. Like the O’Neill wetsuit cleaner which not only cleans but also ensures all odors are removed.

Like most products, neoprene also has a limited life span. With use and time, it will lose properties. It will stretch more, let in more water, lose the properties that kept us insulated from the cold for longer, etc. But with some basic care, we can make our wetsuit last longer in good condition.

More tips to extend the life of your surf wetsuits

More tips on how to care for your wetsuits in «How to improve the care of your wetsuits».  Where we talk about the new wetsuit dryer hanger Wetsuit Pro Dryer .  The Surflogic wetsuit dryer allows you to dry your wetsuit at an ideal temperature. A wetsuit dryer hanger that also has a safety system and automatic control. The perfect surf accessory to dry your wetsuit inside your van or motorhome. If you want to know more about this great invention, we also have here our article about the Pro Dryer.

Its price: 159 euros.

How to dry the wetsuit?

As we mentioned, wetsuits should not be dried in the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun can damage and spoil the wetsuit. So the question is: «How do I dry my wetsuit?». In addition to the new Surflogic wetsuit drying hanger, there are other inventions designed to dry your wetsuit quickly and easily.

1. Hanger to hang and store wetsuits easily and practically Wetsuit Hanger Pro X2 Surflogic . Forget about hanging your wetsuit from the car’s rearview mirror, the shower knob, or the bathtub screen for only 24.50 euros. This hanger is designed to hang and store wetsuits.
2. Go Dry Hanger Magnet which facilitates the drying of the wetsuit. A gadget made of plastic and incorporating two suction cups to hang the wetsuit to dry whether on glass, a wall, or the body of your car. Its price is 39.99 euros.

Remember when hanging it up, to prevent the shoulders from deforming, hang it by the waist and preferably inside out. Once the inside is dry, turn it back and let the outside dry.

How to wash a wetsuit?

A wetsuit should always be washed with fresh water. Within our advice for your wetsuit to be clean and last longer in good condition it is essential to rinse the wetsuit with fresh water after each surf session. At the end of a surf session, it is best to soak the wetsuit in fresh water. Whether in the shower when you get home or at the beach in a bucket, it is important that the wetsuit is completely soaked with fresh water. Both the outside and the inside. It is also important to rinse the zippers.

Can a surf suit be washed with soap?

Although your wetsuit does not smell bad, it is advisable to clean the wetsuit 2-3 times a year with special soap for wetsuits . This cleaner will also help fight corrosion caused by urine in the suit.

Can a wetsuit be washed in the washing machine?

The answer is yes. The wetsuit can be washed in the washing machine but always on a short cycle, without spinning, and using cold water. Needless to say, bleach should not be used.

How often should a wetsuit be replaced?

It is most common to replace the wetsuit annually. Especially winter wetsuits. Spring and summer wetsuits are more likely to last 2 seasons. This is not because winter wetsuits are of lower quality. But over time and with continuous use, wetsuits lose their properties. The low water temperatures in winter on the Cantabrian coast require wetsuits to be in perfect condition. It is common among those who surf daily in winter to replace their wetsuit annually.

What can I do with my old wetsuit?

In addition to the classic option of selling on a second-hand platform like Wallapop or classified ads, some time ago we told you about SUGA’s initiative. A project that involves making yoga mats from recycled wetsuits.

Is it worth buying a second-hand wetsuit?

We are among those who think that it is not worth it. It is better to buy a cheap but new wetsuit than a second-hand branded one. Do you think it’s worth taking the risk and buying a second-hand one?

Where to buy a wetsuit?

At Single Quiver, they have the best wetsuits and top brands at the best price.

If you liked this post, be sure to visit more of our Wetsuits Reviews . Section where we give our opinion about the different suits that our team of testers has the opportunity to try. Or you can also subscribe to our newsletter , where we will inform you promptly of our news.