How to dry a wetsuit
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Introduction
Drying your wetsuit correctly after cleaning it is an important part of caring for your wetsuit and extending its lifespan. If you don’t dry it in the right way, chances are you damage it during the drying process and need to replace it sooner rather than later. Wetsuits are expensive, so make sure you avoid costly mistakes by following this guide on how to dry a wetsuit!
How to dry a wetsuit
Before learning how to dry a wetsuit, you should first learn how to wash and clean it. It’s important that you always clean it properly before drying it. Check out this article to learn how to clean your wetsuit. Once you have learned how to clean it in the correct way, you can follow the steps below for the drying process.
1. Hang it inside out to dry the inside first
You should aim to dry your wetsuit as soon as possible after cleaning it, because a soaked wetsuit causes bacteria to grow and damages the neoprene, causing tears, holes and lower elasticity and shrinking (= difficult to put it on).
With your wetsuit still inside out and the zippers open after washing it, hang it on a wide, plastic hanger, folded over the center of the hanger. This is a good example of a thicker hanger you can use. You can also hang the wetsuit over a rounded area, like a thicker fence or rack.
Don't hang your wetsuit from the neck or shoulders when wet
Don’t hang the wetsuit from the neck or shoulders on a hanger when it’s wet as that can stretch it out and eventually the hanger can poke through the neoprene if you’re using a thin hanger and do it too often.
Why you should dry the inside of the wetsuit first
There are a couple of different benefits of drying the inside of your wetsuit first. Firstly, if you do not have a lot of time to dry it before your next surf session, it’s definitely much nicer to have a dry inside rather than a dry outside when it’s time to put it on again.
Another good reason to dry the inside of your wetsuit first is that because the inside of it is in direct contact with your body, it’s the part of the wetsuit that absorbs sweat, oils and salt. When left wet, the inside of the wetsuit creates a pleasant environment for bacteria to grow in. This can make the it smelly and damage the neoprene, causing tears, holes and lower elasticity and shrinking (= difficult to put it on). I also find that the inside of my wetsuit dries faster than the outside of it. So make sure you get the inside dry as soon as possible after washing it!
2. Hang it in a shady or dry area
Once you have put the wetsuit on a hanger, either hang it outside in a shady and breezy area (wind helps dry it faster), or inside in a well-ventilated room.
Avoid drying your wetsuit in direct sunlight or leaving it outside overnight
An important part of how to dry a wetsuit the proper way, is to avoid drying it in direct sunlight at all costs! Drying it in the sun damages the neoprene, causing it to deteriorate faster. Also, don’t leave it outside overnight as the air tends to get humid and moist at night- the opposite of what you need for your wetsuit to dry.
3. Squeeze excess water out of it
Squeeze excess water out of your wetsuit when you’ve hung it up, squeezing the legs and arms. Do it again after 15 minutes or so of drying. You can do it more frequently as well if you want it to dry faster.
4. Flip it to dry the outside
When the inside of your wetsuit feels dry, flip it right side out and continue to dry the outside of it the same way you dried the inside; hang it folded over the center of the thick plastic hanger in a shady or dry area.
5. Hang it on a wide-shoulder hanger when dry or store it laying flat
When your wetsuit is completely dry, hang it on a wide-shoulder plastic hanger from the neck or shoulder. This is a good hanger made for storage of wetsuits, with shoulders wide enough to not destroy the neoprene.
Another option is to store it laying flat- I read in a community chat about a guy who stores his wetsuit laying flat under his mattress so I guess the only limitation is your imagination (though I can’t vouch for how effective or advisable that particular method might be).
These options help maintain the shape and prolongs the durability.
Don't fold the wetsuit over a hanger (or anywhere else) when it's dry
When the wetsuit has dried, don’t hang it folded over the center of the thick plastic hanger like you did during the drying process. As a matter of fact, don’t store it folded anywhere else either, like in a drawer on box. This can cause creases, which weaken the neoprene over time and lead to cracking or permanent deformities in the material.
If you want to learn more about good ways to store your wetsuit when it’s dry and you’re not using it, you can check out my wetsuit storing guide.
Quiz: test your knowledge
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