How to Store a Wetsuit Properly

Leave a wetsuit screwed up in the boot of the car for a few sunny days and it will tell on you fast. You get the damp smell, stiff neoprene, flattened shoulders and that slightly tired feel that makes a good surf session start badly. If you're wondering how to store a wetsuit properly, the short version is simple - clean it, dry it fully, keep it out of heat and hang or fold it in a way that does not stress the material.

That sounds straightforward, but a lot of wetsuits get damaged between sessions rather than in the water. Summer is busy, especially if you're alternating between surf, bodyboard and general beach days, and it's easy to chuck your kit somewhere and deal with it later. A little care here makes a real difference, whether it's your first summer suit or a well-used favourite that still has plenty of life left.

Why proper wetsuit storage matters

Neoprene is tough, but it is not indestructible. Heat, UV, salt, sand and bad hanging habits all wear it down over time. The result is usually gradual rather than dramatic. Seams can weaken, panels can crease, linings can hold on to moisture and odour, and the whole suit can lose some of the stretch that makes it comfortable.

For UK surfers and beachgoers, that matters more than it might seem. Summer sessions can be spontaneous. You want your suit ready to pull on for a quick paddle-out at Cromer, an after-work bodyboard, or a family beach day that turns into two hours in the water. If it has been stored badly, you feel it straight away.

There's also the money side of it. A decent wetsuit is not throwaway gear, and storing it well is one of the easiest ways to protect what you've paid for.

How to store a wetsuit properly after each session

The best storage routine starts before the suit goes anywhere near a hanger or shelf. First, rinse it in fresh, cool water. That helps remove salt, sand and any residue from sun cream, wax or general beach grime. You do not need piping hot water or strong detergent. In fact, both can do more harm than good.

Once it's rinsed, let it dry inside out first. This is the bit people often rush. The inside lining tends to hold moisture longer, and if you store the suit while that is still damp, you are setting yourself up for odour and mildew. Hang it in the shade or somewhere airy, away from direct sun and away from radiators or heated airing cupboards.

When the inside is dry, turn it the right way round and let the outer finish drying too. Only once the whole suit is properly dry should it go into longer-term storage. If it still feels cool or slightly damp around the seams, give it more time.

Hanging vs folding - what works best?

If you have space, hanging is usually the better option for regular summer use. It keeps the suit accessible and helps avoid hard fold lines. The catch is that not every hanger is suitable.

A thin wire hanger is one of the quickest ways to stress the shoulders. Over time, that pressure can distort the upper part of the suit. A wide wetsuit hanger or a broad, sturdy hanger is much better because it spreads the weight more evenly. Some people prefer to fold the suit over the hanger at the waist rather than hang it from the shoulders. That can work well too, especially for heavier suits, as it reduces stretching at the top.

Folding is fine if you are short on room or storing the suit for travel, but it needs a bit more care. Avoid tight folds and do not wedge it under heavier gear. If neoprene stays sharply creased for weeks, those lines can become harder to shake out. A loose fold in a breathable storage space is better than cramming it into a bag and forgetting about it.

The best place to keep your wetsuit

A cool, dry, shaded spot is ideal. That might be a wardrobe, utility room, spare room or a well-ventilated garage, provided the temperature stays fairly stable and the suit is not sitting in direct sunlight. The main thing is avoiding extremes.

Too much heat can dry out neoprene and make it less supple. Too much sun can fade and degrade the material. Too little airflow can trap moisture. The back of the car is one of the worst places for long-term storage, especially in summer, because it combines heat, trapped damp and pressure from other kit.

If you live in a small flat or are often on the move, practicality matters. A hallway cupboard can work perfectly well if the suit is dry before it goes in. The perfect setup is less important than getting the basics right consistently.

How to store a wetsuit properly for longer gaps between sessions

If you know you will not be using your wetsuit for a few weeks, take a slightly more careful approach. Give it a proper rinse, make sure it is fully dry, and check the seams and zip before you put it away. Small issues are easier to sort when you spot them early rather than the next time you're trying to get in the water.

For longer storage, hanging on a wide hanger in a dark cupboard is usually the safest option. If you need to fold it, keep the folds gentle and change them occasionally if it is packed away for a long period. Do not seal it in an airtight plastic container if there is any chance moisture is still lingering.

A breathable garment bag can work if you want to keep dust off it, but plain open storage is often perfectly fine. The key thing is that the suit can stay dry and relaxed, not compressed and forgotten.

Common storage mistakes that shorten a wetsuit's life

Most wetsuit damage comes from routine bad habits rather than one major mistake. Leaving it in a heap after the beach is an obvious one. So is drying it in harsh sun because you want it ready quickly. Both feel convenient in the moment and both chip away at the suit over time.

Another common issue is hanging it by the neck or on a hook. That puts strain exactly where you do not want it. The same goes for storing it under a pile of boards, beach bags and bodyboards in the shed. Compression does not help neoprene recover its shape.

Then there is the temptation to use household cleaners to get rid of smell. Harsh chemicals can damage linings and adhesives, so stick to fresh water and, if needed, a wetsuit-specific cleaner used sparingly. Usually, proper drying solves most odour problems anyway.

What if your wetsuit still smells or feels stiff?

If a clean, dry suit still smells off, it is often because moisture has been trapped before. Give it another thorough rinse and allow extra drying time in a shaded, airy place. Sometimes the issue is not dirt so much as incomplete drying around the armpits, knees, crotch or zip area.

If it feels stiff, think about where it has been stored. Heat and sun are usual culprits, but salt left in the material can also affect how supple it feels. A proper rinse and more careful storage can improve that, although badly heat-damaged neoprene will not fully bounce back.

This is also where trade-offs come in. If you're surfing most days in summer, a suit that is constantly in use may not look showroom-fresh, and that is fine. The aim is not perfection. It is keeping it comfortable, flexible and reliable for as long as possible.

A simple routine that actually works

The best care routine is the one you will stick to. After your session, rinse the suit, dry it inside out, then dry the outside, and store it on a proper hanger in a cool shaded place. That is enough for most surfers, paddleboarders and bodyboarders through the summer season.

If you are juggling beach gear for the whole family, keep it practical. Give each wetsuit its own hanger, keep damp towels away from dry neoprene, and do not let used kit live in the car longer than it has to. Small habits save a lot of wear.

At East Coast Surf, we see plenty of people put real thought into boards, fins and leashes, then overlook the gear care that keeps everything going. A wetsuit does not need pampering, but it does need a bit of respect between sessions.

Store it well and your next paddle-out feels easier before you've even hit the water.