Do you know how to care for it? Here are some maintenance tips to help you enjoy it for as long as possible - from personal experience I know they're quite expensive, and these days we can't afford to replace gear every five minutes. Follow these 5 simple recommendations to keep your wetsuit like new and make it last much longer.
1. Rinse with fresh water
This is perhaps the most important tip. Saltwater significantly damages neoprene, so don't hesitate to rinse it straight after leaving the water at nearby showers. If none are available, you can wait until you get home.
Remember: always rinse with cold water, never use hot water, even in winter when you're desperate to warm up after being in the water. Hot water will cause the suit to dry out and lose flexibility.
It's advisable to occasionally soak it in a bucket or bathtub for about 15 minutes.
2. Avoid using soaps
Some people use soap, but this isn't recommended at all as it will ultimately damage the suit's material. Some occasionally use shampoo.
To eliminate bad odours caused by bacteria or mould that can develop from improper drying, there are products like Mirazyme available. There are also special soaps like glycerine soaps that work perfectly for odour removal.
3. Drying
After thorough rinsing comes drying time. How should you do it? Always hang it in the shade. A common mistake is leaving it in direct sunlight, but this is the worst thing you can do as it dries out, cracks and ages the material quickly.
CRUCIALLY important - dry it inside out, so if you're going back in the water that afternoon or the next day, at least the inner part will be dry.
Avoid using wire hangers as they can damage the suit; plastic ones are better. Needless to say, don't use clothes pegs as they can deform it.
4. Storing your wetsuit
It's essential to only store it when completely dry. Never before, not even if slightly damp, as it will deteriorate and develop bad odours.
Don't store it folded, as creases can develop cracks, especially if you don't use it very often. The more stretched out it is, the better - either hung up or laid flat.
5. Watch those zips!
Check them regularly and use products like special waxes to keep them in good condition. No matter how well you care for the suit, if you neglect the zip and it breaks, the wetsuit becomes useless.
Got any other recommendations? Tell us!
