The call of the water can be impossible to resist. But whatever your chosen activity, ensuring you have the right watersports apparel to wear is a must.
Wetsuits are a great way to enjoy the water for longer, ensuring the wearer retains heat, ultimately keeping you warm and ready to go! Many modern wetsuits are made with neoprene, but these require certain steps to be taken in order to protect them.
To keep your neoprene wetsuit in great shape, we have put together a guide on how best to protect it. Take a look!
What is a neoprene wetsuit?
Neoprene is a group of synthetic rubbers. It is made through the polymerisation of chloroprene, and has a strong level of chemical stability.
One of the most impressive elements of neoprene is its adaptability across a range of temperatures. This means neoprene wetsuit material works really well because it can not only keeps a wearer comfortable in a variety of conditions, but it also has the flexibility and adaptability required.
Protecting neoprene wetsuits after use in water
Your neoprene wetsuit has a design that makes it perfect for wearing in the water. However, once your day is done, it is vital the right steps are taken in order to protect the wetsuit and allow it to be used time and time again.
Washing your Neoprene Wetsuit
After every use, make sure you give your wetsuit a thorough freshwater rinse, even if you’re planning a second session. This will help to remove the salt and debris, which over time can destroy your suit.
One very important point is to never wash a neoprene wetsuit in a washing machine, as this has the potential to cause major damage. Instead, turn the wetsuit inside out and use lukewarm water to hand wash it thoroughly, making sure not to miss the armpits and crotch area. Every once in a while you can use a neoprene shampoo to give it that extra deep clean. Make sure you do not miss the zips, and ensure any sand or dirt is removed as well.
Drying your Neoprene Wetsuit
Once handwashed, you can hang up the wetsuit to air dry it. The best way to do this is feeding the wetsuit through a clothes hanger and hang it doubled up so the arms and legs point towards the floor. Avoid hanging by the neck or shoulders as this can cause the fabric to stretch.
You may want to do this over a shower or in your garage, as you’ll find it will drip!
As it dries, keep turning the wetsuit inside and out to make sure it dries all over, this will also help to lengthen the life of your wetsuit and make your experience of putting on a wetsuit next time a lot nicer!
Most importantly! Do not be tempted to tumble dry your suit and be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight, as UV damage can cause the neoprene to age a lot quicker.
Storing your Neoprene Wetsuit
As well as ensuring your wetsuit is clean and dry, it is important to store the wetsuit in the correct way too. This means not storing your neoprene wetsuit in hot or humid environments and out of direct sunlight, as this is not good for the material. It is better to leave the wetsuit in cool and dry conditions.
Additionally, look to hang the neoprene wetsuit up with a hanger or stored flat (you can fold it in half) with nothing on top of it. Scrunching can cause creases to form and may damage the neoprene material.
Anything else to remember?
One common issue with wetsuits is that owners take a slightly too forceful approach when using the zips or removing the damp wetsuit. Pulling too hard on zips can cause damage and potentially rip the material. So always remember to be gentle with zips and not take too rigorous of an approach. This will help elongate the life of your neoprene wetsuit.
Finding that perfect Neoprene product
We at Gill are specialists in the creation of watersports apparel of the highest level. Our range includes a variety of products made with excellent neoprene to enable a fantastic experience when out on the water.
View our full wetsuit range here.
Most recent addition, the Pursuit Wetsuit for Men, Women and Juniors is 4/3mm with full arm and back zip entry.
Our ZenThermSkiff Suits are ideal for colder temperatures with their 2.5mm top and 3mm suit while our ZenLite range, 1.5mm top and 2mm suit are best suited for warmer temperatures.
Delivering perfect performance, their 4-way stretch fabric and zip free design ensure a skin tight fit to allow full range of movement on the water.