I’ve read a few of the old posts on wetsuit care and maintenance but could not find anyhting to give personal numbers or anyhting.
With that said my new xterra vector pro X2 wetsuit should arrive tomorrow. I am slightly worried about chlorine affecting the wetsuit but would not be that worried if the wetsuit wont last that long.
When you buy a wetsuit how long do you plan on it lasting?
How much would you guesstimate swimming with it in a pool would decrease that life?
thanks,
bwar
Why would you wear the wetsuit in the pool?
My first wetsuit was purchased in May of 2005, and I sold it last year. It was used and a bit strectched but fine beyond that.
Id wear it in the pool a few times to get used to the full body constriction. So I wouldn’t add that to all the things ill prolly be panicking about in open water
I bought my Ironman full in 2000 for IM Cali and it is still
very serviceable
.
I have a sleeveless Aquaman Bionik from 2003 and a full from 2004 that I still use.
jaretj
Not my original question, but I have a followup.
How do your store your wetsuit to maximize its lifespan? Hanging? Folded? How?
A well made and well taken care of wetsuit should last a number of years - minimum 4 -5, to put some numbers to it.
Tips:
always rinse with fresh water after every use and hang up to dry inside out( dries faster) Then hang up right side out with the velcro closed on a proper suit hanger with shaped shoulders
Do not leave your wetsuit in the trunk or inside the car ever on even a warm day. Heat is no good for rubber. We have seen wetsuits completely wrecked after a few house in a car on a hot day.
Minimize exposure to UV. UV radiation also does a number on the rubber.
If the suit get’s moderate to heavy use, wash it a couple of times a season with a mild shampoo, to help remove, body-oils and other contaminants from the jersey lining on the inside of the suit
Pool use: Occasional use in chlorinated pools is OK with a good fresh water rinse after-wards. Heavy pool use, should be avoided.
Get finger-nail cuts and other nicks and abrasions to the smooth-skin on the outside of the suit fixed right away. These are minor problems, and if fixed right away will not be a problem. If left, the cut can open right up and perforate through to the jersey lining, then you have a more serious matter on your hands, that requires more serious repair.
Hope this helps.
This is a good question. Just like running shoes that sit on your shelf are eventually ‘expired’, I would assume that neoprene can become ‘brittle’ with time too. I don’t have the answer.
As for pool use, I have used mine in the pool twice. It’s important to swim in it before a race, and if you don’t have a chance to use it in open water prior to a race, it’s worth the compromise to use it in the pool. When you get out, take it to the shower and thoroughly rinse it. Damage from one or two times in the pool is not likely an issue.
But taking it to the pool once a month for 3-4 years probably would end its life early.
I have used the same wet suit since 1988 … a sleevless Scott Tinely … best $100 I ever spent.
Don’t use in the pool, hang dry after use, and don’t gain a lot of weight.
i have seen a few that are around 4 - 5 years old that still looked fine, they fade a little and the surface can split … looks like lots of tiny fine wrinkles, but other than that they were more than useable.
I have just purchased some 500 psi (brand name … not the pressure I am washing it at!) wetsuit wash, will keep you posted as to how that goes but it should be the ideal thing for use after having your wetsuit in chlorine. Chlorine is not good for it but if you wash properly afterwards the damage should be very minor and your suit will last longer than you want it to by the time fashion and technology changes!
I also just purchased an Xterra wetsuit. If this thing last a year I will be happy, if it actually fits and last longer, great! They just had some deals too good to pass up.
Im wondering what size you got. I am 5’10" , 32" inseam 155lbs and they recommended a small long. So i got it and it is a little tight in the mid section. Is that how it is suposed to be? what is your take on the xterra sizing?
I’m not sure of your body proportions, but I am also 5’10", with a ~30 in inseam and about a 31.5 in waist @ ~180 pounds and I have a SLO Xterra.
Fits exactly like I want it to…
meh you have a little more torso and my waist is like 31, but we are similar enough that if the SLO fits you how it is supposed to i guess thats how its supposed to fit.
Thanks,
Bwar