Watch this video BEFORE putting on your wetsuit!
Resources > How-To Guides > How to put on an open-cell wetsuit
How to put on an open-cell wetsuit
An open-cell wetsuit is wonderfully flexible and will keep you snuggly warm in the water, but it needs a little bit of care.
- When putting it on, you need to use a wetsuit lube or soapy water.
- Never dig your fingers or toes into the inside of your suit, or it might tear. Open-cell rubber tears easily.
- Watch the video below to avoid tearing your suit when you first try it on.
Instructions with photos
If you look into your suit you will notice that your suit is made from a rubber called open-cell rubber.
The information that follows is about how to put it on and take it off, care and maintenance, and how to look after it.
Putting on an open-cell wetsuit
1) When dry on the inside, your suit will be difficult to put on.
You need to make up a slippery mixture using either wetsuit lube or a mild body wash with water.
If using a body wash mixture you need to get an empty container, squirt some body wash into it
and then add water. this will make a soapy mixture.
On a cold day, you can use warm water. The soapier the mixture the better.
2) Pour the mixture into the pants first, slosh the mixture around, and then pour any excess into the jacket.
3) Slide your leg one at a time into the pants, pull the pant all the way up to the shoulders, and ensure a snug fit.
4) Now the jacket, ensure the inside of the jacket is lubed up, slide your hands in first making sure you pull the suit up to your elbows.
5) Hold the suit open at the waist and raise the suit up above your head.
Push your head and shoulders in, you need to stand straight and bring your shoulders down, your head should slide into the hood.
Pull your jacket over your body gently.
Never dig your fingers into the open-cell rubber on the inside.
Instead, double up the material and grab it from the outside, or use your palms to push gently from the inside.
6) Finally, pull the beaver tail through your legs and clip it on. Make sure the suit is fitting and all the curves are contoured to your body.
Taking off an open-cell wetsuit
1) Leave your hood on, undo the beaver tail clips, and remove your dive watch.
Next, fold up the bottom of the suit around the waist, pulling it up to your chest.
2) Place any elbow into the fold as in the picture below, place your thumb on the same arm,
and push up on the folded part of the suit. You will be pushing on the outside of the suit.
Place your other hand on the opposite side and using your inside of the thumb lift up at the same time,
this motion will lift or pop the suit up to your shoulders. Pull your arms out one at a time.
3) Use your thumbs to peel the suit off your chin. Your jacket should be now be removed
4) To remove the pants, slide your shoulder straps down to your waist, and then
gradually work your pants down to your ankles. Use your thumbs to peel the pants off your ankles.
Wetsuit care
Wash your suit in fresh water. You can also use a little bit of mild shampoo or body wash.
Dry the rubber side first. Next, turn your wetsuit the right way round and dry the outer side.
Dry your suit away from direct sunlight.
If your suit gets an odor, soak your suit in a bucket of water with a cap full of disinfectant.
