Your wetsuit is your second skin—your armor during cold dawn patrols and late-afternoon sessions. Treat it right, and it’ll stay warm, flexible, and comfortable for years. Treat it wrong, and it’ll crack, stink, and fall apart way sooner than it should.
Here’s how to keep your wetsuit in top shape, every single session.
1. Rinse With Fresh Water Every Time
Saltwater is brutal on neoprene. When it dries, salt crystals harden and start breaking down everything: the neoprene, the glue, the seam tape—basically every part that keeps your wetsuit sealed and warm.
After every session, rinse your suit with cool, fresh water. Get the inside and the outside.
A good rinse = a longer-lasting wetsuit.
2. Keep It Out of the Sun
The sun is your wetsuit’s worst enemy.
Direct sunlight and UV rays make neoprene stiff, brittle, and way more likely to tear. Leave your suit baking on the fence, and it’ll feel rough and lose flexibility fast.
So the rule is simple: always dry your wetsuit in the shade.
It’ll last longer, smell better, and stay soft.
3. Hang It the Right Way
Hanging your wetsuit like a jacket—by the shoulders—stretches the panels and weakens seams. That’s how leaks start.
Instead, fold it in half at the waist and hang it over a thick, smooth bar (PVC and metal pipes work great). This takes the stress off your shoulders and keeps the shape intact.
✔️ Less strain = more years of use.
Bonus Tip: Use Mild Cleaners
You don’t need anything fancy. Wetsuit-specific cleaners like O’Neill or Pau Pilau work well, but so do gentle options like baby shampoo or mild dish soap.
Just use a small amount—too much soap can affect the neoprene.
This keeps the suit fresh, removes oils, and helps prevent funky smells.
And… What About Peeing in Your Wetsuit?
Good news: pee won’t destroy your wetsuit. Urine is mostly water and only slightly acidic.
The real issue? The smell.
If you decide to go full “warmth mode,” just make sure you rinse the suit thoroughly after your session.
Quick Recap
✔️ Rinse with fresh water
✔️ Dry it in the shade
✔️ Hang it correctly (folded at the waist)
✔️ Clean occasionally with mild soap
Take care of your wetsuit, and it’ll take care of you—keeping you warmer, comfier, and saving your wallet in the long run.
