A good wetsuit can make the difference between a quick paddle and a proper session when the water cools off. But even the best suit will lose its stretch, warmth and comfort if it spends its life crumpled in the boot, baking on the clothesline or shoved wet into a gear bag. These wetsuit storage tips are simple, practical habits that help your suit stay surf-ready for longer.
Start With a Proper Rinse
Salt, sand, sunscreen and sweat all hang around in neoprene after a surf. Left there, they can make a suit pong, stiffen the material and wear away at seams over time. After each session, give your wettie a thorough rinse in fresh, cool water.
Turn it inside out first so you can rinse the lining that sat against your skin. Pay extra attention to the neck, cuffs, zip, chest panel and any sandy spots around the ankles. A gentle hose is fine, but do not blast the suit at close range with a high-pressure nozzle. The aim is to wash out salt, not punish the stitching.
Hot water is a no-go. It can damage neoprene glue and affect the flexible lining that makes modern suits so comfortable. If the suit needs more than a rinse, use a wetsuit-specific wash from time to time. Household detergent, bleach and fabric softener are too harsh and can strip the suit of its suppleness.
Dry It Slowly, Not in Full Sun
The most common wetsuit storage mistake is leaving a suit in direct sun to dry. It feels logical after a cold winter surf, but UV and heat are tough on neoprene. They can make it brittle, fade the colour and shorten the working life of the suit.
Hang your wetsuit in a shaded, well-ventilated spot instead. A covered verandah, laundry with airflow or garage that stays dry will do the job nicely. Keep it away from heaters, dryers and radiators too. Fast heat can shrink or distort neoprene, and it is particularly rough on glued and taped seams.
For the first part of drying, turn the suit inside out. This lets the lining dry where it matters most and helps stop that damp-wetsuit smell. Once the inside is mostly dry, turn it the right way out and let the outer layer finish off. It takes a bit longer than sunbaking it on the fence, but your suit will thank you for it.
Choose the Right Hanger
A thin wire hanger can stretch the shoulders and leave dents that never quite come out. For short-term drying, use a wide, padded wetsuit hanger or fold the suit over a thick rail at the waist. The weight is then spread across a broader area rather than hanging from the neck and shoulders.
If you only have a standard plastic hanger, use it for lighter springsuits and steamers with care, rather than a thick winter suit that is still dripping wet. A heavy, soaked suit puts a serious load on the shoulder panels. Folding it over a sturdy drying rack is usually the safer option.
Avoid hanging a wetsuit by the bonnet, neck, zip or one sleeve. These are high-stress areas, and repeated pulling can stretch the shape or weaken the seams.
The Best Way to Store a Wetsuit Between Surfs
Once the suit is completely dry, you have two good storage options. You can hang it on a wide wetsuit hanger in a cool, dry cupboard or garage, or fold it loosely and lay it flat on a shelf. Which option works best depends on your space and how often you surf.
Hanging is handy if you are surfing regularly and have room for it. It keeps the suit easy to grab for an early check of the waves at Redhead, Blacksmiths or your local break. Just make sure the hanger is broad enough and the suit is nowhere near a hot wall, window or roof space.
Folding is often better for long-term storage, particularly if the suit is thick or heavy. Lay it flat, fold the arms gently across the body, then bring the legs up without making sharp creases. Do not squash it under towels, board bags or a pile of beach gear. Neoprene remembers deep folds, especially when it has been stored that way for months.
A clean, dry storage tub can work for families short on cupboard space, but only if the lid is not crushing the suit and the wetsuit is bone dry before it goes in. If there is any lingering dampness, a sealed tub becomes a little humidity cave - and that is how mould and odour get started.
Keep It Out of the Car Boot
We have all done it: surf, grab a servo snack, then forget the wet suit in the car until next weekend. In an Australian summer, a car boot can get seriously hot. That heat cooks neoprene, while the trapped moisture creates a perfect home for bacteria and mildew.
If you cannot rinse your wetsuit straight away, at least take it out of the car when you get home and hang it somewhere shaded. A mesh wetsuit bag is useful for carrying wet gear, but it is not a storage solution. It needs airflow and a rinse as soon as practical.
The same rule goes for wet towels, rash vests and booties. Keeping all your surf gear fresh makes the post-surf pack-up far less grim, especially when the kids are piling into the car after a beach day.
Treat Zips, Seams and Delicate Panels With Care
Storage is not just about where the suit sits. A few small checks before you put it away can stop a minor issue turning into a blown seam halfway through winter.
Rinse zips well, then leave them partly open while the suit dries so moisture does not sit in the teeth. When the suit is dry, zip it up gently for storage if that helps it hold its intended shape. Never force a sticky zip. A little zip lubricant made for wetsuits can help, but avoid oily household sprays that may affect the surrounding neoprene.
Check the knees, seat, underarms and crotch for worn spots, as these areas cop plenty of movement. If you see a small split in the seam or loose stitching, sort it early. Neoprene repair glue can handle tiny nicks, while larger seam issues are best repaired by someone who knows wetsuits. Waiting until the water is properly chilly is rarely the time to discover a leak.
What About Wetsuit Booties and Gloves?
Booties, gloves and bonnets need the same rinse-and-shade routine as the suit. Turn them inside out to dry, especially neoprene booties where moisture loves to hide around the toes. Do not leave them bunched at the bottom of a bag.
Once dry, store them flat or loosely stuffed with clean paper to help retain their shape. Keep them together with your wetsuit so you are not hunting for one glove when the swell finally turns on.
Wetsuit Storage Tips for the Off-Season
When the water warms up and your winter steamer is having a break, give it one final proper clean. Rinse it thoroughly, use a wetsuit wash if needed, dry it inside and out, then inspect it under good light. This is a good time to repair small problems before they become next season's headache.
Store the suit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, petrol fumes, pool chemicals and sharp tools. Sheds can be fine if they stay dry and do not turn into an oven, but a cupboard indoors is often kinder to neoprene. Do not vacuum-seal a wetsuit. It saves room, sure, but the pressure can leave long-lasting creases and flatten the foam.
A wetsuit is built for salt water, wipe-outs and plenty of paddling. It should not need kid gloves. Give it a fresh rinse, dry it out of the sun, avoid sharp folds and let it breathe between surfs. That small bit of care keeps your favourite suit flexible, warmer and ready when the next decent bank shows up. See you in the surf.