Storing Between Surfs
(Short-term storage: between sessions or for a few days at a time)
How to store it:
- Rinse with cold fresh water. Always rinse your wetsuit after each surf to remove salt, sand, and dirt.
- Dry before storing. Do not store your wetsuit damp — always let it air dry first.
- Keep it loose. Do not scrunch your wetsuit up.
- Lay it flat. Either flat or folded gently at the waist.
- Roll it carefully. Rolling from the feet up to the chest (folding the arms in) is another good option.
- Hang it wide. Use a wide-shouldered hanger or drape it over a wide-bar hanger folded at the waist. A wetsuit bucket also helps reduce stress on seams.
Where to store it:
- Cool, shaded spot. Keep it in a cool, dry place — never in direct sun or near heat.
- Avoid pressure. If storing in your car or garage, avoid scrunching it in a bag or stacking heavy items on top.
- Let it breathe. Ensure good airflow so moisture doesn’t get trapped.
Storing for the Season
(Long-term storage: putting your wetsuit away for weeks or months until the next season)
How to prepare / clean:
- Rinse thoroughly. Soak and rinse to remove all salt, sand, sunscreen, and oils.
- Wash properly. For best results, give it a full wash using Nikwax Wetsuit Refresh (available on the Simpel store). This cleans, deodorises, and keeps neoprene supple. See our Cleaning Your Wetsuit guide for more details.
- Dry completely. Let it dry 100% inside and out before storing. Never pack it away with any moisture left inside.
How to store it:
- Lay it flat. On a shelf or inside a box to avoid creases.
- Roll it loosely. From the ankles up to the neck, folding the arms in once you reach the chest.
- Hang it wide. On a very wide hanger from the shoulders or draped over a wide-bar hanger folded at the waist, to prevent stretching.
Where to store it:
- Cool, dry, ventilated area. Keep away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or damp corners.
- Safe from pests. Store somewhere rodents and insects can’t reach.
- Avoid sealed containers. Don’t use plastic bags or airtight boxes that trap moisture.
Wetsuit Storage — Do’s & Don’ts
Do:
- Rinse after every surf. Use cold fresh water to remove salt, sand, and dirt.
- Dry fully. Let it dry naturally, inside and out.
- Store carefully. Keep it flat, loosely rolled, or on a wide hanger.
- Wash before long-term storage. Use Nikwax Wetsuit Refresh to clean, deodorise, and keep neoprene supple. For more information follow Cleaning your wetsuit
- Choose the right spot. Store in a cool, dry, ventilated place away from heat and sun. Keep out of reach of pets, rodents or insects.
Don’t:
- Don’t store it damp. Moisture leads to mildew, odours, and seam damage.
- Don’t scrunch it. This can damage the material so avoid leaving it in a bag or under heavy items.
- Don’t fold sharply. Only fold gently at the waist if needed.
- Don’t expose to heat or sun. Avoid radiators, hot cars, or direct sunlight.
- Don’t tumble dry. Heat damages neoprene/rubber and glued seams.
- Don’t risk pests. Keep it out of reach from pets, rodents or insects.
