I have a new wetsuit and I notice it is rubbing on the back of my neck a bit. It is zipped up all the way and velcro’d over but I believe it is the neckline that is causing the chafing. Wondering if anyone has had the same issue and whether you trimmed the neckline a bit or just how you solved it. I also thought about putting a strip of KT tape on my neck during the swim and then just peeling that off in transition. Just looking for what seems to work best. Thanks in advance.
I use “Friction Zone” which is a silicone based anti-chaffing ointment. It’s good stuff, is safe for use with a wetsuit and lasts through an entire long swim for me. I too regularly get chaffing on my neck and haven’t found a better solution.
Also, personally, I wouldn’t want to cut the neck of my wetsuit for fear that it may allow more water to enter the wetsuit.
I use TriSlide. It’s a little pricy but it’s also awesome.
Every year I chafe my neck after my first outdoor swim with a wetsuit, and think “Oh yeah, I forgot about that problem over winter.” Then for the remainder of the summer I just put a bit of Bodyglide across the back of my neck and that solves the problem. I put Bodyglide on my forearms and calves anyway to get out of the wetsuit quickly in a race; it doesn’t damage the wetsuit. As the previous poster said, I wouldn’t trim the neck of my wetsuit. It might loosen the neck too much and allow too much water in, and it might affect the area around the zipper. KT tape could work, but I’d hate to rip that off if I had hairs stuck in there!
I use body glide around my whole neck, and have never had a chafing issue.
experience same issue. uses some Vaseline on the back of your neck before zipping up suit, will be fine.
Sometimes it’s just a sight bit of stitching that can cause this. I have the same issue with my new Roka. Fantastic wetsuit, but even a 1/4 mile swim will cause some chaffing in one particular spot. It’s not that the velcro is in the wrong spot or anything, just a couple stitches too close to the top of the neck. Bodyglide etc will help, but for my next race I’m just going to put a strip of duck tape on the spot.
Trislide on wrists, ankles, arm pits and back of neck.
I’ve used body glide on my neck and it’s worked fine. Don’t be afraid to cake it on.
Hi Kay,
If there is a stitch issue in the suit, please contact us and we can inspect for repair/warranty. We find that the vast majority of our customers don’t have chafing issues. Usually those that do can be fixed w/ Bodyglide or TriSlide. But if a stitch issue is causing it, that’s on us, and we’ll gladly fix or replace! Please email support@rokasports.com or call us at 877-985-7652 and we’ll be glad to help.
Best,
Rob
+1 on bodyglide. I also put chamois cream on after the swim.
thanks, will do
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I haven’t had a chafing problem yet in the few practice swims and sprints I’ve done with my wetsuit, but I have an Olympic at the end of the summer and have been nervous about this issue. Does Vaseline harm the wetsuit materials at all? I’d rather not buy a bottle of stuff when I have Vaseline laying around already.
experience same issue. uses some Vaseline on the back of your neck before zipping up suit, will be fine.
One thing with vaseline – after applying to your neck, don’t touch the front of your goggles! This happened to me in escape from alcatraz on the boat, and i had ridiculously smudgy goggles and it was a panic to get to the bathroom to clean them
I had horrible neck chafing after my first triathlon and my teammates called it my rookie mistake! I really lathered up with body glide for my HIM this past weekend and no chafing problems at all.
Once you go trislide you will never go back.
Same stuff you already use to get the wetsuit off quicker in T1. Glide works really well. I always put it on arms legs and neck before putting on a wetsuit.
Thanks everyone. I just ordered some TriSlide- sounds like that will do the trick! I appreciate the help!