The best wetsuits are the one’s that give the surfer warmth and plenty of range of motion to work with.
In order to get the most out of your wetsuit, it’s critical you take care of it and rinse it with fresh water regularly.
Whether you’re a surfer, scuba diver, or swimmer, you know a good wetsuit is non-negotiable. Not only do the best wetsuits keep you warm in cold water, but they’re not cheap.
With all the hours you spend in the water, it’s important to take care of your wetsuit to ensure it lasts as long as possible and you get the most ROI on your hard earned money.
Keep scrolling and we’ll give you the inside scoop on how to take care of your wetsuit and ensure you get the most sessions out of it.
Rinse With Fresh Water After Each Session
This is the most important thing you can do each time you use your wetsuit. After every session, it’s a great idea to rinse the inside and outside of your wetsuit thoroughly with fresh cool water.
This flushes any salt, sand, or other debris that can accumulate inside the suit which can cause deterioration. Saltwater corrodes and ruins everything over a long enough timeline. Again, do NOT forget to rinse your suit.
Once your wetsuit is rinsed, it’s time to hang it up to dry. Avoid leaving your wetsuit in a pile or balling it up as this can cause creases and folds that can be difficult to remove. Instead, hang your wetsuit inside out on a wide hanger or a wetsuit hanger specifically designed for the job.
Flushing your wetsuit with fresh water will help prolong your wetsuit’s shelf life. Because let’s be honest, surfers piss and sweat in their wetsuits all the time. Sweat and urine in a warm neoprene suit is a recipe for bacteria to thrive. This is especially important for colder water temperatures because holes are a death sentence when it comes to the winter surfing.
Before your next surf session make sure you flush your wetsuit with cool fresh water.
Best practices on Storing your Wetsuit
When you’re not using your wetsuit, it’s important to store it properly to ensure it stays in good condition.
Avoid storing your wetsuit in hot places you may forget about it:
- Direct sunlight*
- A plastic bag
- The trunk of a hot car
Heat can cause the neoprene to break down and become less flexible. Plus the smell of your wetsuit will begin to resemble a public restroom near a bus stop in NYC. Not ideal!
If you choose to hang your wetsuit, consider putting it through the hanger instead of hanging it like a suit or a shirt. Hanging a wetsuit is fine but if you’re done using it for the season then it may be best to remove it from the hanger to avoid stretching.
Instead, you could store your wetsuit flat in a cool, dry place or in a wetsuit bag specifically designed for storage in a box or tupperware container. Do not store a wetsuit in these conditions unless it is bone dry. Ideally this could be in a garage or shed to avoid sunlight.
They even have wetsuits hangers with holders for boots and gloves too! This wetsuit hanger is called the C-Monsta and is available through Surfboard Broker for $40.
* Direct sunlight is fine if you’re hanging at the beach all day but you don’t want to leave it in your backyard to dry out for days and weeks on end.
Repairs for wetsuit wear and tear
Over time, your wetsuit is bound to get a little worn and dirty, but there are a few things you can do to help extend its life.
One of the most important things is to avoid using harsh detergents or bleach when washing your wetsuit. These products can strip the neoprene of its natural oils and cause it to become stiff and brittle. Instead, opt for a mild soap or a wetsuit-specific detergent to gently clean your suit.
Using a washer and dryer is also not recommended. Using a dryer can be necessary evil if you only have one winter wetsuit but it will speed up the degradation and integrity of the suit.
Another way to take care of your wetsuit is to repair any small cuts or tears as soon as they occur. Small holes and cuts can quickly turn into bigger ones if left unchecked, so it’s important to fix them as soon as possible.
You can use a wetsuit repair kit like Aquaseal or take your wetsuit to a professional for repairs. Aquaseal is best used for smaller holes but if you have rips at the seams it may be best to consult a professional.
The wetsuit repair kit can be found here for under $20.
How to fix a stinky suit
Okay no judgement, we’ve all been there. We had an epic surf session, we got home grubbed out on a burrito perhaps had one too many cervezas , fell asleep on the couch, and forgot about our suit in the car.
You should never put a wetsuit in a washer, this will wreck your wetsuit. If your wetsuit begins to stink to high hell, then what you want to do is to get a bucket or tub and let it sit in cool fresh water.
Once the wetsuit has soaked in fresh water for an hour or two, hang it up inside out and let the wetsuit dry out. The wetsuit should not be left out in the sun because that can damage the seams. Let the suit dry out until there’s no moisture on the outside or inside of the suit.
Note: This could take a few days to fully dry the suit out and successfully remove the odor…
If that didn’t work and your wetsuit still reeks, it’s a good idea to invest in a wetsuit conditioner. Wetsuit conditioner is used to help prevent and help fix a stinky wetsuit.
This is the nuclear option if you’re not having any luck getting the smell out but if you like to be proactive about avoiding a smelly wetsuit it’s best to use once a year.
Wetsuit conditioners are specifically designed to nourish and moisturize the neoprene, removing the stench and keeping it squeaky clean afterwards.
Wetsuits are not cheap, they’re an investment. So it’s best to flush them out regularly with fresh water and avoid leaving them out in the sun.
Taking care of your wetsuit is essential to ensure it lasts as long as possible. By following these simple tips and tricks, you can keep your wetsuit in top condition and enjoy all the fun and adventure the water has to offer. Happy surfing!
FAQ on Wetsuits
How do I choose the right wetsuit size?
It’s difficult to order a suit online because each brand has different styles and sizing, this is why we recommend surfers to go support your local surf shop and purchase on there.
If you feel your local surf shop is charging unreasonable prices, you can simply go in and browse the wide selection of men or women’s wetsuits, try a few wetsuits on, get a baseline for what style you like, how stretchy it is , then go over to the brand’s website and order the same suit for a little cheaper. You can typically get free shipping if you sign up for their email or SMS programs.
Keep in mind: The wetsuit thickness can affect your performance and range of motion.
Which is why it’s important to choose a wetsuit that fits snug but not too tight. The suit should be tight enough to keep you warm, but not so tight that it restricts your movement.
To find the right size wetsuit, measure your height, weight, and waist and use a wetsuit size chart to find the corresponding size. It’s also a good idea to try on a few different sizes to find the one that fits best.
What are the best winter wetsuits?
Cold water wetsuits are not much different than regular wetsuits but what we look for two things:
- Does the suit have stretchy material?
- Does the suit have lining on the inside that provides additional warmth?
Charging through the impact zone in cold water wearing gloves, hood, boots, and a thick wetsuit can be exhausting, even on a calm day.
Having range of motion and it keeps your body warm in ice cold water. A good winter wetsuit NEEDS to be comprised of stretchy material.
Most cold water suits have different lining on the inside compared to warmer water wetsuits. This lining is different depending on the brand but it’s typically made out of wool or synthetic fuzzy material designed to keep you warm and dry quickly.
Are surfing wetsuits different than swimming wetsuits?
Yes. Swimming wetsuits and surfing wetsuits serve very different purposes.
Surfing wetsuits are designed to keep the surfer warm. While swimmer’s wetsuits are designed for speed, warmth is an afterthought.
The surfing wetsuits have warmer in-lining each brand calls it different and uses different materials for warmth. Swimming wetsuits give swimmers more freedom of motion and are designed to glide through the water.
However, both surfing and swimming wetsuits offer more buoyancy to the swimmer and surfer. The neoprene in the wetsuit has air bubbles that give the suit a little more float.
How do I put on a wetsuit?
Putting on a wetsuit can be a bit of a challenge, the thicker they are the more difficult it can be. 2 mm and 3 2mm wetsuits are easier to put on compared to 4 3mm and 5 4 mm wetsuits.
If you’re just starting out it can be intimidating to do on the beach in front of people.
Here are some tips to make it easier putting on your wetsuit:
- Start by laying your wetsuit out flat on a clean surface.
- Step into the wetsuit and pull it up to your waist.
- Work your arms into the sleeves, one at a time.
- Pull the wetsuit up to the shoulder area and adjust the sleeves to fit snugly around your arms.
- Zip up the wetsuit, starting at the bottom and working your way up.
After a decade of testing wetsuits ourselves, in both 45 icy water and 80 degree bath tub temps we’ve grown to prefer a front zip wetsuit.
Most wetsuits fall into two buckets they either have a front zip or a back zipper. We prefer the chest zipper over the back zipper for its ease of access of getting in and out of the wetsuit.
There’s nothing wrong with back zippers it can be a little more challenging to zip up the wetsuit compared to the front zipper. This is up to your personal style of zippers
How do I take care of my wetsuit?
To take care of your wetsuit and get the most out of it, follow these simple steps:
- Rinse your wetsuit thoroughly with fresh water after every use to remove salt, sand, and other debris.
- Hang your wetsuit inside out on a wide hanger or a wetsuit hanger specifically designed for the job.
- Avoid storing your wetsuit in direct sunlight or in hot areas. Store it flat in a cool, dry place or in a wetsuit bag specifically designed for storage.
- Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach when washing your wetsuit. Use a mild soap or a wetsuit-specific detergent instead.
- Consider using a wetsuit conditioner to help keep your suit flexible and in good condition.
How long do wetsuits typically last?
A good wetsuit can last a few seasons, a great wetsuit can last a decade.
The lifespan of a wetsuit depends on several factors, including how often you use it, how well you take care of it, and the quality of the wetsuit itself.
In general, a well-maintained wetsuit can last for several seasons, but it’s not uncommon for wetsuits to start showing signs of wear after a year or two of heavy use.
What else do I need for cold water wetsuits?
If you live somewhere where the water temperatures don’t get above 55 degrees in the winter time, you may want to invest in boots, gloves, and a hooded wetsuit.
Hoods help prevent brain freezes and keep the air from escaping your head. Gloves and boots keep your extremities warm.
O’Neill has a patented designed 4 3mm wetsuit that has a detachable hood which is perfect for the fall and spring. Available here.
Do shorty wetsuits keep you warm?
A shorty wetsuit is optimal for summer sessions when the water is on the warmer side.
Shorty wetsuits can also be great for warmer mid-day spring sessions too. They’re also nice to wear if you chafe easily or if you get cold easily. it’s better to have a thicker wetsuit.
Shorty wetsuits are a great wetsuit to have in your quiver for the summer months.
What is a foiling wetsuit?
A foiling wetsuit is practically the same as typical surfing wetsuits. The only difference is the rider is foiling and not surfing. Kite foiling folks typically wear an impact suit over their wetsuits.
Aside from that, there’s honestly no difference as far as we can tell.
Can I wear a wetsuit in warm water?
Wetsuits are typically designed for cold water, but you can still wear one in warm water to protect your skin from the sun and other elements.
If you’re going to wear a wetsuit in a warm water temperature then we would avoid wearing full body wetsuits. You should opt for a spring suit or a wetsuit top instead.
Just keep in mind that a wetsuit will trap heat and may make you feel warmer than you would without it. If you’re in warm water, say over 75 degrees or so and want to stay cool, consider wearing a rash guard or a thin, moisture-wicking top instead.
What is the easiest wetsuit to get into?
Wetsuits with front zippers are the easiest to get into.
Back zippers can be a little more difficult to get into because the zipper is located behind the back.
Why are thicker wetsuits so hard to get into?
Thick wetsuits are difficult to get into because the neoprene is thicker and has less stretch. It takes more effort to slip on over the shoulder area and chest.
Do you need to wear anything inside a suit?
For men’s wetsuits surfers can honestly go commando but you can also wear board shorts. They even have a new underwear that recently came out specifically for under board shorts and wetsuits.
For women’s wetsuits it’s best to wear a bikini to slip in and out. But ladies, if you want to go commando by all means.