Wetsuit Care and Longevity: How to Make Your Suit Last

A quality wetsuit is a significant investment. Proper care extends its life and performance substantially. Here's what actually matters.

A good wetsuit can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars, and the neoprene that makes it function doesn't last forever. But the deterioration rate depends enormously on how the suit is used and cared for. A wetsuit that receives proper maintenance after each use can last five or more years of regular use. One that's routinely treated poorly might need replacement in two.

The care practices that extend wetsuit life are mostly simple and don't take much time. The issue is that people don't always know which practices matter and which are optional.

Fresh Water Rinse: The Non-Negotiable

The single most important wetsuit care step is rinsing with fresh water after every use in salt water, chlorinated water, or any water environment. Salt crystals left in neoprene as the suit dries degrade the foam cells and the neoprene polymer over time. Chlorine from swimming pools is particularly aggressive on neoprene. A thorough rinse takes two minutes and prevents the accelerated material breakdown that makes neglected wetsuits feel stiff and brittle prematurely. This applies to all neoprene accessories too, including wetsuit boots, gloves, and hoods.

Turn the suit inside out during rinsing to ensure the interior is thoroughly cleaned. The interior of a wetsuit collects body oils, sunscreen, and any residue from the water used, and these accumulate if not flushed out regularly.

Drying Correctly

After rinsing, drip-dry the suit inside out first on a wide hanger or a dedicated wetsuit hanger, away from direct sunlight and heat. UV radiation degrades neoprene, and the accelerated aging from drying in direct sun is one of the most common causes of premature wetsuit deterioration. Heat from tumble dryers does similar damage.

Once the interior is mostly dry, turn the suit right-side out to allow the exterior to dry as well. Storing a wetsuit that's damp on the inside promotes mold and mildew growth within the neoprene foam cells, which creates an odor problem and can degrade the material. A fully dry suit before storage is the goal.

Storage Practices

Long-term storage on a folded or compressed hanger puts permanent creases in neoprene at the fold points. These creases weaken the material and eventually crack. Store wetsuits flat if space allows, or on a wide-shouldered hanger that distributes the weight of the suit rather than concentrating it at the shoulder seams.

Storage location matters. Garages that reach extreme temperatures, direct sunlight through windows, and spaces with ozone-producing equipment (some motors and electrical equipment produce ozone that degrades rubber and neoprene) are all poor storage environments for neoprene gear.

Zipper Maintenance

Wetsuit zippers, whether traditional back zips or newer chest zips and back zip alternatives, need lubrication to operate smoothly and to prevent corrosion and stiffness. Specialized zipper wax or beeswax applied along the zipper teeth keeps the zipper running smoothly and prevents the zinc corrosion that affects metal zippers.

Forcing a stiff or stuck zipper is a common way to damage both the zipper and the surrounding neoprene. If a zipper is stiff, work lubricant into it and cycle it gently multiple times until it runs freely. A little patience with zipper care prevents the zip pulls and slider damage that requires professional repair.

Cleaning for Odor

Wetsuits that have been used regularly develop odor over time despite rinsing, primarily from bacteria that colonize the neoprene. Periodic washing with a wetsuit-specific shampoo or a small amount of baby shampoo, rinsed out completely, cleans more deeply than a fresh water rinse alone.

For persistent odor, soaking in a dilute white vinegar solution (approximately a quarter cup per gallon of water) for fifteen to thirty minutes neutralizes bacteria and odors effectively without damaging neoprene. Rinse thoroughly after any vinegar treatment. Avoid regular soap, detergent, or fabric softener, which can degrade neoprene and damage seam bonds.

Minor Repairs: Extending Life

Small tears, neoprene cement separation at seams, and minor neoprene cuts can be repaired with wetsuit repair adhesive applied to both surfaces, clamped or held together for the cure time, and allowed to fully cure before immersion. These repairs are surprisingly effective and can restore full function to a minor damage area.

Neoprene repair tape is a temporary fix for small tears in a pinch but doesn't provide the same durability as adhesive repair. Reef rash from contact with rock or coral can be repaired the same way as a cut. Addressing these minor damages promptly prevents them from extending into larger failures.

Wrapping Up

Wetsuit longevity is directly proportional to the care it receives. The practices that matter most, fresh water rinsing after every use, proper drying away from UV and heat, appropriate storage, and zipper maintenance, are simple and quick. Wetsuits that receive this care consistently last significantly longer and perform better than those that don't. The return on ten minutes of post-session care over the life of a quality suit is clearly worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a wetsuit be machine washed?

Not in a standard washing machine with agitation and spin cycles, which stress neoprene seams and can cause delamination. Some wetsuit manufacturers approve gentle hand washing or a specific delicate cycle in a front-loading machine at cold temperature with wetsuit-specific detergent, but this varies by brand and suit construction. Check the manufacturer's care instructions for your specific suit before attempting machine washing.

How do you know when a wetsuit needs to be replaced?

Signs that a wetsuit has reached the end of its useful life include: neoprene that has become consistently stiff and lost its flexibility, significant loss of buoyancy compared to when new, seam failures that can't be repaired, and the suit no longer providing adequate thermal protection in the temperatures for which it was designed. Gradual warmth loss over time is normal as the foam cells in neoprene compress with use, but when protection is noticeably inadequate, replacement is the appropriate response.