How To Put On A Wetsuit: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Put on a Wetsuit PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Hayley Church

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

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  • Putting a Wetsuit On
    • |
  • Taking a Wetsuit Off
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Hayley Church. Hayley Church is an owner at Cooksey's Lifeguard & Swim Academy, LLC in Southern California. Hayley has been a lifeguard and swim instructor since 2007 and has dedicated her time to teaching people of all ages how to swim. Hayley and her team offer lifeguards and programming such as swim camp counselors, swim lessons, and water aerobics classes to clients of all sizes from large organizations to private homes. She received her Master’s degree in Recreation Management. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 85% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 137,142 times.

Getting a wetsuit on and off can be a huge pain. While the tight, form-fitting suits can be a lifesaver in cold water and are necessary for a lot of diving and scuba activities, they are far from easy to get in or out of. The task becomes even more difficult if either the suit or the person trying to put it on is already wet.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Putting a Wetsuit On

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 1 Put protective gear on. If desired, put on your protective gear now. This often includes a rashguard or rash suit usually made of Lycra. Of course, some people prefer to only wear their bathing suits, or even nothing at all.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 2 Unzip the wetsuit.. You'll want to make sure that the suit is fully unzipped. With most wetsuits, the zipper will go in the back. [1] If there are any hitches or kinks in the zipper, work them out now. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 3 Start with your feet and legs. Once you have the wetsuit lined up, pull your wetsuit over your foot and ankle, gradually working it up over the knee one leg at a time.[2] Make sure that any wetsuit padding is properly aligned.[3] There shouldn't be any large wrinkles or folds.[4] Once the wetsuit is up around mid thigh, switch to the other leg.
    • If either you or the wetsuit is wet and you have difficulty pulling it on, consider using plastic bags or socks on your feet. This can make it easier.[5]
    • You can also use conditioner or vegetable oil as a lubricant.
    • Work out rolls and ripples in the wetsuit as you move up your legs.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 4 Pull over your hips and torso next. Once the suit is past mid thigh on both legs, gently pull the suit past your hips until the seam is nestled snugly in your crotch.[6] Now pull the suit up over your torso and onto your shoulders. Your crotch shouldn't be pinched, but you shouldn't have any loose fabric or pockets either. It should feel like a firm second skin.
    • You can jump up and down to make sure that the fit is right.[7]
    • Loose pockets will circulate cold water, ruining the purpose of the wetsuit. [8]
    • The wetsuit shouldn't overly constrict movement either. If it feels too tight or like you can't move, take it off and get a bigger size before you waste more time.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 5 Insert one arm at a time. Use the same method that you did with your legs. Be careful with fingernails on the fabric.[9] Gently pull the suit up your arms and then lift it onto your chest. Just like it was with your crotch, you'll want the wetsuit to be snug and tight without constricting movement.[10]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 6 Seal the deal. If you have a rear-zip wetsuit, have a friend help you zip up.[11] Reaching and trying to zip it yourself can put strain on both the zipper and suit.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 7 Lock it up. Your suit should have hook-and-loop fastener fastenings over the zipper and at the neck area. Close these fastenings to prevent the zipper from unzipping and make your suit more watertight.[12]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 8 Check the fit. Walk around, raise your knees, rotate your shoulders, bend your arms, and maybe do a few jumps or squats.[13] While you should be able to feel the snugness of the wetsuit, your movement shouldn't be overly constricted. You shouldn't have any big pockets or loose areas either.[14]
    • If your movement is constricted, take the suit off and get a bigger one.
    • If you have large pockets or loose areas, take the suit off and get a smaller one.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 9 Finish up. Now that the suit is on and you have confirmed that it is properly sized, you can put your hood on if you are going to be using one. Congrats. Enjoy the water!
    10. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Taking a Wetsuit Off

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 1 Unzip. If you were wearing a hood, remove it. Leave it inside out. Have a friend or partner unzip your wetsuit fully if it is a rear-zip wetsuit.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 2 Remove the wetsuit from your neck and shoulders. Peel the wetsuit off of your neck and down your shoulders.[15] To get it off of your shoulders it helps to slide a thumb between your shoulder and the wetsuit.[16]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 3 Slide out your arms. One at a time, remove your arms from the wetsuit. Be sure to use your fingertips rather than fingernails. [17] Pull each arm fully out of its sleeve, leaving the arms inside out.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 4 Pull it down your torso and hips. Peel the suit down your torso like a banana.[18] Then you'll want to pull it past your hips in a single motion.[19] Wiggle if you need to in order to get the wetsuit past your buttocks and out of your crotch.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 5 Remove your legs. Roll the wetsuit down your legs.[20] When you get to your ankles, put a hand inside of the wetsuit at the ankle and use it to hold the wetsuit leg open while you slide your foot out.[21] Repeat with the other foot when you are done. Fortunately, taking off a wet wetsuit is far easier than putting one on!
    • Leave the wetsuit inside out so that it can get some fresh air.
    • Leaving the wetsuit inside out is necessary for proper cleaning... especially since a fair amount of the time, you might end up peeing inside your wetsuit.
    • Peeing inside your wetsuit is fairly normal. Not only are you stuck in it for a long time, but the pee can make the wetsuit a lot warmer.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Put on a Wetsuit 6 Clean the wetsuit. Be sure to rinse the wetsuit down with cold, fresh water. Let the wetsuit hang dry. Never use heat or an automatic dryer to dry it. [22] Heat can cause the rubber of the wetsuit to become brittle.
    • Be sure to clean the wetsuit thoroughly, especially on the inside!
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question My wetsuit smells moldy. What should I do? Community Answer Community Answer You should wash your swimming suit in the shower when you shower and make sure you only use warm water and get all the water out and dry it in the sun. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 2
  • Question Do wet shoes go on before the wet suit? Anjoko Anjoko Community Answer Yes. Roll up the wet suit, then wear your wet shoes. Otherwise, water will get inside the suit. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Reader Videos

Tips

  • You can wear a rash vest to stop the wetsuit from rubbing. Just be sure to put it on first.[23] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
  • Be careful of long or sharp nails. Don't damage the wetsuit![24] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • The suit should be a little tight, but not cutting off blood flow. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  2. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCrf0vcsR0
  4. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  5. ↑ https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/how-to-put-on-a-chest-zip-wetsuit-and-take-it-off
  6. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCrf0vcsR0
  8. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  9. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
More References (16)
  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCrf0vcsR0
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCrf0vcsR0
  3. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCrf0vcsR0
  5. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  6. ↑ https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/how-to-put-on-a-chest-zip-wetsuit-and-take-it-off
  7. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  8. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCrf0vcsR0
  10. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  11. ↑ https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/how-to-put-on-a-chest-zip-wetsuit-and-take-it-off
  12. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  13. ↑ http://www.evo.com/how-to-put-on-a-wetsuit.aspx
  14. ↑ https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/how-to-put-on-a-chest-zip-wetsuit-and-take-it-off
  15. ↑ https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/how-to-put-on-a-chest-zip-wetsuit-and-take-it-off
  16. Videos provided by Mysticboarding

About This Article

Hayley Church Co-authored by: Hayley Church Aquatic Manager This article was co-authored by Hayley Church. Hayley Church is an owner at Cooksey's Lifeguard & Swim Academy, LLC in Southern California. Hayley has been a lifeguard and swim instructor since 2007 and has dedicated her time to teaching people of all ages how to swim. Hayley and her team offer lifeguards and programming such as swim camp counselors, swim lessons, and water aerobics classes to clients of all sizes from large organizations to private homes. She received her Master’s degree in Recreation Management. This article has been viewed 137,142 times. 25 votes - 85% Co-authors: 27 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 137,142 Categories: Diving Article SummaryX

Putting on a wetsuit can be a huge pain, but you can use a few tricks to make it easier. Unzip your wetsuit fully and start at your feet, slowly working your way up. If you or your wetsuit is wet or you’re having a hard time moving it, try using conditioner or vegetable oil as a lubricant. As you move up your legs, work out any rolls or ripples, which can cause cold water to pool around you. Once the wetsuit is past your thighs, gently pull it past your hips and up onto your shoulders. You can jump up and down to move your body down into the suit as you get toward the top. Gently pull the suit up your arms and lift it onto your chest. Once you zip your wetsuit, make sure the fit is right by walking around, raising your knees, and rotating your shoulders. The suit should feel snug but not overly constrictive. To learn how to take your wetsuit off, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Sue Aldous

    Sue Aldous

    Aug 24, 2022

    "Having just struggled the first time, after reading this I think next time will be far easier!"
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Hayley Church Co-authored by: Hayley Church Aquatic Manager Co-authors: 27 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 137,142 85% of readers found this article helpful. 25 votes - 85% Click a star to add your vote Sue Aldous

Sue Aldous

Aug 24, 2022

"Having just struggled the first time, after reading this I think next time will be far easier!" Larry White

Larry White

Aug 18, 2016

"I wouldn't have been able to get the wetsuit on without it. Thanks!" Andrei Nicoara

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Apr 25, 2017

"Bought a new wetsuit. This helps me put it on correctly." Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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