How to care for your dive Wetsuit

The care of your dive wetsuit depends on its material. Learn how to protect your investment before, during, and after every dive.

There are several different types of materials used in wetsuits to achieve specific functions. It is helpful to better understand each of these materials in order to properly care for them.

Two divers in Aqualung wetsuits preparing dive equipment on a boat, with a male diver checking gear in the foreground and a smiling female diver in a BCD in the background, rocky coastal cliffs visible behind them

Neoprene: Neoprene is the base material that virtually all wetsuits are made of. Neoprene is a type of rubber foam and is typically laminated with other materials depending on the desired function of the material.

Standard Nylon: A standard nylon outer lining is very durable against normal wear and tear. Normal care must be taken to prevent snagging, abrasion, and cuts.

Skin material: Skin material may be used either inside or outside of your wetsuit and often around the wrists, ankles, and neck area. This material has a rubber-like appearance, either being smooth or textured, and is commonly referred to as skin-in or skin-out. Skin neoprene is typically used where a water-tight seal is desired or where its water-shedding properties provide a benefit. Some additional care is needed to prevent cutting or abrasion of this material. Sharp fingernails may cut this material if care is not taken.

Thermo-skin: This material may be used inside of your wetsuit. Thermo-skin has a silver-colored smooth skin-type surface with beneficial heat-reflective properties and provides a sealing surface similar to standard skin materials. Some additional care is needed to prevent cutting or abrasion of this material. Sharp fingernails may cut this material if care is not taken.

X-Flex or Iso-Flex Neoprene: X-Flex and Iso-Flex neoprene are special materials designed to have a much higher rate of stretch than conventional materials. Due to the looser knit needed to achieve this stretch, these materials may be more prone to snagging. Hook-and-loop fasteners may also cause light snagging and pilling. Some additional care is needed to prevent excessive abrasion or snagging.

Male diver zipping up a navy blue and royal blue Aqualung wetsuit outdoors, with a female diver in an Aqualung wetsuit visible in the blurred background

Care before the Dive

With any of the skin surfaces including Thermo-skin, care should be taken when donning the wetsuit to avoid snagging the interior skin surfaces with a fingernail or toenail, as this material can be cut. Avoid placing your wetsuit on or near any hot surfaces.

Care during the Dive

The exterior surface of your wetsuit is designed to withstand the normal wear and tear you might encounter during a normal dive. Abrasion against sharp rocks or other sharp objects can cut or puncture the exterior nylon surface, so reasonable care should be taken to avoid these situations. Small cuts or tears can be easily repaired with wetsuit glue. Ask your dive professional for assistance.

Care after the Dive

When removing your wetsuit, first unzip all the zippers completely. Then remove one section at a time, taking care to avoid puncturing any of the skin surface panels with a fingernail.

Female scuba diver in a grey patterned wetsuit and black Aqualung BCD with orange accents, wearing a white diving mask, climbing onto a boat while looking downward

Wetsuit Cleaning

Salt water and especially chlorine can dry out the neoprene material, causing it to lose its flexibility. To ensure the wetsuit material retains its flexibility for an extended period of time, it is important to thoroughly soak and rinse the wetsuit after every use.
Soak the wetsuit in a tub of warm fresh water (not over 86°F / 30°C) for at least 15–20 minutes.
After soaking, thoroughly hose off the wetsuit with fresh water.
Place the suit on a thick hanger with all the zippers open to ensure maximum air circulation and complete drying.

Wetsuit Storage

Wetsuit material can develop a permanent crease if left folded for an extended period of time. It is best to store your wetsuit laying flat. If that is not possible, store your suit on a hanger – use as thick a hanger as possible to better support the weight of the suit. The thicker the suit, the heavier it is, and the thicker your hanger should be. There are several aftermarket hangers available designed specifically for this purpose.
Store in a cool, dry, and protected place out of direct sunlight.
Do not store your wetsuit in a garage that is used to park a vehicle. Exhaust emissions from the vehicle can over time deteriorate the neoprene.

Wetsuit Zipper Care and Maintenance

Zippers are designed to be pulled closed or open in a straight line. Try to avoid pulling on the zipper pulls at an excessive angle to their intended path of travel. It is best to ask your dive buddy for zipper assistance when opening or closing the back zipper of a one-piece back-zipped jumpsuit.