Dumb wetsuit question

Triathlon Forum
1

I recently purchased a T1 wetsuit, and am concerned with care of the suit. After use, is there anything i should do with it before i hang it to dry. Also, in storing it, the care instructions say to lay the suit flat. I don’t know where I would have room to lay the suit flat. Is it important not to fold the suit, or can I fold it like a regular shirt/pants. Sorry for the dumb question, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

2

This is not a dumb question- its a question more people should ask. Most wetsuit manufacturers have some wetsuit care guide with their product and on their website. Short of that, the basics:

  1. Allow it to dry when wet in open air away from heat.
  2. Don’t store it wet.
  3. Rinse with clean, clear, fresh water after use.
  4. I wouldn’t store it folded, but on a wide shouldered “wetsuit” hanger.
  5. Don’t let it cook in the sun or a hot car trunk.
  6. Be careful storing it around anything sharp or “snaggy”.
  7. Never use petroleum based lubricants. Use bodyglide.
  8. Don’t surf, waterski, SCUBA dive or play Navy SEAL in it.

That’s all I can think of. check the other resources also.

3

I would (and do) rinse the suit with fresh clean water, i.e. take it in the shower after use. I do not fold it because it seems to me that this would cause tension stress on one side of the neoprene. I simply lay mine on top of a bunch of sheets in the top of a closet. There it gets little direct light.

4

Slowtwitch: good site. lots of info. check it out!

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/swimcenter/carandfeeding.html

6

I personally rinse my suit, then let is soak in a bucket of fresh water before letting it dry… Figure the salt can’t be good for it…

7

thanks Tom! That answered questions I didn’t even think I had.