In every race I’ve done I’ve gotten some significant neck chafing from the suit in the back of my neck. Not sure why it doesn’t happen in practice much, but always happens during the race, but it does seem to always occur.
I also always note a lot of people have some pretty severe neck burn from the wetsuit during the run - way worse than mine, some of them downright bloody!
Anyone use waterproof tape on the back of their neck just to prevent this from happening? If so, pros/cons? Tape type?
I haven’t heard of anyone using tape…I would suggest using liberal amounts of Body Glide around any areas that are prone to chaffing with your wetsuit. That typically does the trick for me.
I haven’t heard of anyone using tape…I would suggest using liberal amounts of Body Glide around any areas that are prone to chaffing with your wetsuit. That typically does the trick for me.
I already do that - it helps a little, but not enough. Still surprised nobody’s using tape, like a big waterproof bandaid or something like that. Given the number of bloody necks I saw at my last HIM, a lot of folks should certainly consider it!
I’ve seen folks use ktape strips… I can’t imagine they stay on.
I use really liberal body glide, and then spray pam cooking spray on my neck. It’s not supposed to be good for the suit, but if the neck gets a little bit damaged, it’s a small price to pay for not having a salt water bloody neck covered in sweat and stinging/cooking on the run.
I used the 2Toms roller in galveston on Sunday, without the Pam, and I didn’t get the wetsuit vampire bite, but i was aware of friction during the swim.
You might also try TriSlide if Body Glide isn’t working. TS is a silicone-based lubricant and feels slightly different from BG.
What suit are you using? You don’t have to answer, but I asked about the model because some premium suits have a “smoothskin” neck interior that is specifically designed not to chafe. Our suit (the Maverick Pro), the Blueseventy Helix, and the TYR Freak of Nature come to mind as examples of suits that use smoothskin or very softly textured neoprene, not a nylon or polyester liner, on the inside of the neck. Others, even at the premium level, use fabric liners and/or have exposed vertical seams that can cause chafing. Note that there is even variation among the quality of fabric liners used in different brands’ premium suits. So if you go down the upgrade path, make sure to do your homework. Would highly recommend that you try before you buy and shop with one or more brands/dealers who will let you return the suit after testing to see which brand is more comfortable for your specific neck. What bothers one might not bother another so should try for yourself. Kind of like bike saddles.
Rob
I tape my neck for everything above Olympic distance. I’ve got a 2XU V1 but I don’t think it’s the suit. My previous suit was an Aquaman and it didn’t chafe as badly but it still chaffed. I put a clear second skin type tape on and then put normal strapping tape on over the top of that. The second skin tape comes off a bit easier than the strapping tape and doesn’t leave any sticky bits but if I only have that on it comes off mid swim. The strapping tape holds it all in place and comes off easily enough at the end of the swim because it’s been softened up by the water, even when I’ve caught a bit of hair on it. I just ip it off going into transition. It’s a bit annoying having to put it on but way better than dealing with a badly chaffed neck for the next 9-10 hours of an IM. I’ve tried liberal application of all sorts of lubricants but tape is the only sure fire way of staying neck chafe free. I see a few people at every Half and IM with taped necks.
Bodyglide does not work for me, pretty much not for anything or any distance. 2Toms SportShield roll-on is the bomb.
That said, I still get some neck chafe–I used waterproof medical film on my jawline for IMNZ swim and it worked great (it was still on after the bike! Forgot to take it off!). It’s the stuff they use to cover catheter ports and surgical sites so patients can take a shower and that kind of thing. Basically a truly waterproof bandage. Have also seen people use it to cover tattoos while healing so they can swim.
If it’s still a problem, you could also try neck-only rashguards (especially surfers, but I’ve also seen some for dive suits). If it’s still REALLY a problem or you can’t find any, rashguards with a high neck.
sounds like a form problem…
seriously, should not need to turn the head much for breathing, it should be part of the body roll. I changed from the flat swimming I was taught in the 60s to a much more pronounced body roll, and never had a chafing issue since then…
for tape I like 3M Micropore, stays on through sweating while running, not sure if it would work in water though. If not that, try one of the other 3M surgical tapes, believe there is one made to be waterproof…
sounds like a form problem…
seriously, should not need to turn the head much for breathing, it should be part of the body roll. I changed from the flat swimming I was taught in the 60s to a much more pronounced body roll, and never had a chafing issue since then…
for tape I like 3M Micropore, stays on through sweating while running, not sure if it would work in water though. If not that, try one of the other 3M surgical tapes, believe there is one made to be waterproof…
I suspect it’s more of a sighting then breathing issue. No way to sight unless you pop that head out of the water. I’m pretty good about keeping my head in the water - it was one few of the things a top-level coach said I actually did well when he took a look at my form last year.
I don’t tape specifically for wetsuit chafing, but I do tape for various other forms of chafing. In my experience, nothing works better than Leukotape which is a highly-adhesive, fabric-style compression tape (used for injuries, and such). It’s designed to be placed over top of a cloth-like cover roll, but when it’s applied directly to the skin, it takes an act of god to remove it - even when wet.
I wear it underfoot during ultramarathons, and on any sensitive areas that tend to chafe against fabric or seams. I’ve taped injuries with it and worn it for days (sleeping, showering, swimming, etc.) without a problem. For obvious reasons, I would advise that you pre-shave the affected area (if necessary). Sometimes, it leaves a slight redness on the skin when removed, but that usually goes away in less than 24 hours … far better than chafing.
I never go to a race without duct tape. One of my older wetsuits had a tear in the flap that is supposed to cover the zipper and would chafe my neck. I used duct tape with mixed results.
Not sure what the equivalent in the US market would be, but Fixomull is the best tape I’ve seen here. Seen at all the best races on necks, underarms, legs etc.
http://www.smith-nephew.com/australia/products/product-types/tapes/fixomull--stretch/
I imagine any lightweight medical dressing stretch tape would do the job and it doesn’t need to be waterproof. The breathable hypoallergenic stuff that’s used under strapping tape is ideal.
Anything wrong with putting big ol’ large waterproof band-aid (the big ones) on your neck?