Your Wetsuit Is an Investment — Here's How to Make It Last for Years
You've chosen the right wetsuit. You know how to get it on without wrestling yourself into a knot. You're putting in the open water hours and starting to feel comfortable out there. So what's next?
Looking after the wetsuit itself — because a good one isn't cheap, and how you treat it after every swim makes the difference between three seasons and ten.
Neoprene is a forgiving material, but it's not indestructible. Salt water, chlorine, sun, and rough handling all break it down faster than most swimmers realise. The good news: proper care takes a few extra minutes and almost no extra gear.
Rinse It Every Single Time
This is the one rule that matters more than any other. Salt water and chlorine both attack neoprene over time, drying it out and making it stiff and less flexible.
As soon as you're out of the water, rinse the wetsuit inside and out with fresh, cool water. Don't leave it in a wet bag in the boot of your car until the next session — by then the salt has already started doing its damage. If you can't rinse it immediately, at least get it out of the bag and into open air as soon as possible.
Wash It Properly, Not Like Regular Kit
Every few swims, give it a proper wash with a wetsuit-specific shampoo or a mild, fragrance-free soap. Skip the regular laundry detergent and definitely skip the washing machine — both will strip the neoprene's natural oils and degrade the seams and glued panels.
Turn it inside out for the inner layer, which holds onto sweat and body oils more than people expect, especially around the neck and underarms where chafe cream and sunscreen build up.
Dry It the Right Way
Hang it on a wide, rounded hanger — a wetsuit-specific hanger if you have one, or a thick wooden hanger as a substitute. Wire hangers and narrow plastic ones create pressure points that can crease or even tear the shoulders over time.
Dry it inside out first, then flip it once that side is done. And keep it out of direct sunlight. South African sun is intense enough to break down neoprene and fade the colour panels far quicker than most people realise, even on a mild day. A shaded spot with good airflow is all you need.
Store It Flat or Hung — Never Folded Tight
Once it's fully dry, store it on a wide hanger in a cool, dark cupboard, or laid flat if hanging space is tight. Avoid stuffing it into a small bag or folding it into a tight square for long-term storage — sharp creases held over weeks or months can turn into permanent weak points, and eventually cracks.
If you're packing it for travel, roll it loosely rather than folding it, and give it a proper hang-and-air as soon as you arrive.
Watch for the Small Stuff
A few habits that quietly extend the life of a wetsuit:
- Take off jewellery, watches with rough clasps, and anything with sharp edges before putting it on or taking it off.
- Trim or file fingernails and toenails if you know you tend to grip the suit hard when pulling it off.
- Use a plastic bag over your feet when pulling the legs on or off — it stops toenails from snagging the inner lining, which is one of the most common causes of small tears.
- Check the zip regularly. A stiff or sticky zip is often the first thing to fail, and a small amount of zip lubricant or even candle wax on the teeth keeps it running smoothly for much longer.
Small Repairs, Done Early
A tiny nick or seam lift doesn't mean the wetsuit is finished. Neoprene cement (sold as wetsuit repair glue) can seal small tears and lifted seams in minutes, and catching it early stops a small issue from becoming a swim-ending one mid-race. Keep a small tube in your kit bag — it's one of the cheapest insurance policies in triathlon.
The Bottom Line
A wetsuit that's rinsed, washed properly, dried out of the sun, and stored without being crushed will keep its flexibility, buoyancy, and watertight seams for years longer than one that gets thrown in a bag and forgotten about until the next race. A few minutes after every swim is a small price for getting the full lifespan out of your investment.
If you're due for a service check, repair glue, or you're starting to think your current suit has reached the end of the road, browse our full range or get in touch — we're always happy to help you figure out what's worth repairing and what's worth replacing