A good wetsuit can last 5 to 10 years. A mistreated one can fall apart in 18 months. The difference isn't the suit — it's what you do with it after every session. Most of the damage happens on land.
Here's everything you need to know. It takes about 5 minutes per session. It's worth it.
After every session: rinse it properly
Salt water, sunscreen, sand and bacteria degrade neoprene from the inside. A proper rinse after every session is the single most important thing you can do.
Rinse inside AND outside with cold fresh water
Turn the suit inside out and rinse both surfaces thoroughly. The inside gets more body salt than the outside.
Use cold water only
Hot water breaks down neoprene and glue. Cold water only, always.
Soak occasionally in wetsuit shampoo
Every 5–10 sessions, soak in a bucket with a small amount of wetsuit-specific cleaner. It removes bacteria that cause the suit to smell and degrade.
Never use washing machine, washing powder or hot water
Detergents strip the neoprene's protective coating. A washing machine's agitation tears the seams. The raccoon lost his first suit this way.
The Raccoon's Rule #5
Rinse it the same day. Leaving a salty wetsuit in your bag overnight — or for three days, as the raccoon once did — is where the real damage happens. Salt crystals form inside the neoprene and physically tear the material as it flexes. A 5-minute rinse saves you €400.
Drying: the right way and the wrong way
How you dry your suit matters almost as much as how you rinse it. Two things destroy wetsuits during drying: direct sunlight and hanging by the collar.
✓ Correct drying
- Hang folded over a wide hanger or rail — not by the shoulders
- Dry inside out first, then flip
- Dry in shade or indoors
- Allow full airflow around the suit
✗ Do not do this
- Never hang by the collar or shoulders — stretches the neck permanently
- Never dry in direct sunlight — UV degrades neoprene fast
- Never leave in a hot car or boot
- Never use a tumble dryer or radiator
The wide hanger rule
A wetsuit hanger — or simply folding the suit over a towel rail — distributes the weight across the waist rather than the shoulders. Hanging by the shoulders for months permanently stretches the collar and shoulder panels, causing the suit to droop and let in water. A €5 wetsuit hanger is worth it.
Storage: what to do between seasons
If you're storing a suit for more than a few weeks, a few extra steps will keep it in perfect condition for the next season.
Wash and dry completely before storing
Any remaining salt or bacteria will continue to degrade the neoprene over the off-season. Make sure it's completely dry before folding or hanging for storage.
Store flat or on a wide hanger — never folded tightly
Tight folds create permanent creases in the neoprene. Over months, these creases become weak points that crack or delaminate. If storing flat, don't stack heavy things on top.
Keep away from heat, ozone and sunlight
Garages with electric motors (ozone), direct sunlight through windows, or radiators nearby will all accelerate neoprene breakdown even when the suit isn't being used.
Apply neoprene conditioner before long storage
A light coat of neoprene conditioner or wetsuit lubricant keeps the material supple and prevents it drying out and cracking over the winter months.
Small tears: repair them immediately
A small nick or tear in neoprene will grow every time you put the suit on and take it off. A 1cm tear becomes a 5cm tear within a season if ignored. Neoprene cement (wetsuit glue) is available at any surf shop for €5–10 and takes 10 minutes to apply.
How to repair a small tear
- Clean and dry the area completely
- Apply neoprene cement to both sides of the tear
- Wait until tacky (about 2 minutes)
- Press together firmly and hold for 60 seconds
- Leave to cure for at least 12 hours before using
Post-session care checklist
One more thing: look after the zip
The zip is the most mechanically stressed part of the suit. A few simple habits extend its life significantly: always close the zip before rinsing, rinse the zip directly with fresh water, and apply a small amount of zip lubricant (beeswax or dedicated zip wax) every few sessions to keep it running smoothly. A failed zip means a flooded suit — preventable with 30 seconds of attention.
You've made it through all 5 articles.
You now know more about wetsuits than most people who've been surfing for years. You know thickness, fit, price, and how to make your suit last. Time to find the right one.
Shop Wetsuits →