I have a de soto T1 and am wondering if I can just hang it in my closet or if it will dry out and crack like old rubber bands/ rubber in general - does one need to keep suits sealed in a bag or slightly damp or something?
The label on my T1 says to store it laid out flat, out of direct sunlight. I lie it down under my bed when I’m not using it, and hang it only as long as it needs to dry.
I definitely don’t recommend wet or damp storage. The “jersey” or cloth backing certainly won’t like it, and you’d probbaly get rot/mildew issues. Nasty!
You can hang it in your closet, but it will make the closet stink - my wife pissed and moaned so much that now mine lives in the garage, folded neatly and loosly in a plastic box that can breathe.
Ditto what JohnA said.
I’ve got a long flat shallow rubbermaid bin that my T1 winters in. I lay it out using the foam tubes it came with, so nothing creases
I think the wear and care guidance that came with suit mentioned not to store it hanging.
Jim
I just leave mine on a thick hanger in the closet. I don’t know why people have smelly suits. I have raced plenty in mine and never had any problems w/ odor. It is also 2 years old, and seems to be holding up well, even on the hanger.
I can’t speak directly about your DeSoto suit, but similar storage things should apply to all wetsuits.
Here is what we recommend for QR wetsuits:
After use in a race, you should always rinse of your suit ideally inside and outside. Make sure the suit is dry before you store it, this can be done by hanging the suit inside out over a balcony or similar. Then for short periods of storage, hang it up on a padded hanger inside out in a cool dry place. For periods longer than a week or two, fold it in half or thirds(keep it inside out), and store the suit in a cool dry place. Every now and then (more often when used in a pool) wash the suit with wetsuit shampoo.
Cheers.
Herbert
QR/Litespeed