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› Wetsuits - Fit, Care and Maintenance

by Gina Miller

Wetsuits are a very personal thing – ask any triathlete about how they get warm when they first get in the open water before a race. The answer may surprise you if you’re a newer triathlete! For the answer to this riddle, you’ll have to scroll to the bottom of the page.

Wetsuit Types
There are many manufacturers of wetsuits – your windsurfing wetsuit probably won’t work for a triathlon – wetsuit companies have created very specific wetsuits that use different types of rubber compounds, different methods to get on and off as well as different options and materials in areas that you need more flexibility (such as your arms when you’re swimming). Some favorite brands of triathletes include Orca, Quintana Roo, ProMotion, Ironman, Aquaman and DeSoto. Is there a difference between brands? Absolutely – each manufacturer has different models and each model fits and performs differently. Try on several brands to see which brand and model fits best. Wetsuits cost anywhere from $200 to $400, so shop around and read reviews. Below are some general guidelines about wetsuit fit, how to get it on and off as well as how to take care of your wetsuit.

Wetsuit fit
For most of us, wetsuits do not feel very comfortable on dry land. Most retailers don’t have a dunk tank to test out the suit’s fit, so dry land it has to be! The most critical component to fit is understanding the difference between too tight and just snug enough. Competitive athletes will err on the site of tight – more expensive/advanced wetsuits use a different rubber compound and will act more like a “second skin” and therefore, will be very tight (but will provide more flexibility in the water). Wetsuit manufactures may call this fit an “elite fit.” If you are a more competitive athlete, you should consider this fit but if you are newer to the sport, you may opt for more comfort and hence, a little more room. The trade-off of an elite fit vs. a normal fit is that a more normal fit will probably be easier to get on and take off. However, the end result of any fit should be that the wetsuit is not restricting, pinching or cutting off circulation.

If the neck of the wetsuit is being pulled down, then the wetsuit may be too short. Or the converse may be true– it is not being pulled up all the way. If it is tough to get the wetsuit on, then you are probably approaching a correct fit. Make sure you bring someone with you or work with a salesperson that knows how to help you get into the wetsuit. To get into it properly will require some pulling and tugging! If the wetsuit goes on easily and it’s very easy to adjust it while it’s on your body, it’s more than likely too big for you. The legs of a wetsuit should not be all the way down to your foot – a proper fit will seem short to you – at or slightly above your ankles.

Putting it on
If you’ve tried on a few wetsuits, you know that it can be an aerobic activity in and of itself. Here are some tips:

  • Dry skin is best – putting a wetsuit on a wet body presents more of a challenge
  • Use a lubricant – BodyGlide works well. Put BodyGlide around your neck, ankles and wrists. This will also help with chaffing during your swim
  • Start at the bottom – the leg should hit between the ankle and the calf (different manufacturers have different lengths)
  • Pull up the legs like you would a pair of nylons. Grasp the wetsuit with your palms or sides of your hands, not your fingertips! The most common wetsuit damage is tearing the material with your fingernails (both men and women). Leave yourself some time – this should not be a process that you need to be in a rush
  • Make sure the wetsuit is snug in the crotch area before you put your arms into the wetsuit
  • Roll the remainder of the wetsuit up your body and put your arms in the armholes
  • Pull up the arms (no fingernails!) toward your shoulders to make sure you have room in the shoulders and armpits
  • Have someone else zip up the suit for you – or make sure there’s a long enough swim cord on the zipper so you can reach it and pull it yourself
  • The last step – have someone stand behind you and grab the wetsuit around the zipper (above the butt) and pull up towards the shoulders. This will help redistribute the material so you have enough room in your shoulders and armpits

Taking it off

  • Wet skin makes it much easier – this is good since the majority of the time you are heading into T1 and need to get it off quickly!
  • Unzip the back and get your upper body and arms out. If you do this as you exit the water it is much easier as there is still water inside your wetsuit and it slides off much easier. The less water, the more the wetsuit will stick to your skin.
  • After one arm is free, use the other on the inside of the wetsuit to free the other arm
  • Think banana – peel down the rest of the wetsuit inside out. Again, use your arms on the inside of the wetsuit
  • Step out of it like you are climbing a staircase – think high knees
  • It is okay to stretch the fabric and to step on the legs, just ensure that there aren’t any rough surfaces on the ground (your best bet is to stand on your transition towel for this last step)

Taking care of your wetsuit

  • ALWAYS rinse your wetsuit in fresh water after using. If you can’t hose it off, fill a bathtub with a few inches of water or hang it in the shower
  • Do not leave it outside in direct sunlight for a long time, it will dry out the rubber
  • Store your wetsuit in a cool dry area – use either a special wetsuit hanger or fold the wetsuit
  • DO NOT use petroleum-based products (such as Vaseline) as they will damage the rubber over time

 

And for the answer to how triathletes get warm in the water: They pee in their wetsuits when they get in the water!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Gina
by email.