Wetsuit Accessories

In this category you will find all the accessories to keep your wetsuit in top condition and make your open water swimming safer and more practical. From swim buoys that keep you visible and safe in open water to neoprene glue and repair kits if a small tear develops in your wetsuit, wetsuit hangers for correct storage after training and shampoo for good maintenance of your neoprene.

The accessories are divided by purpose of use: safety in open water, repair, storage, maintenance and protection. Which accessory you need depends on the phase you are in: before you go into the water, during swimming, or after your session.

Which wetsuit accessory do you need?

The right choice depends on what you want to solve or improve. The following scenarios help you quickly find the right direction.

You want to swim more safely in open water and be clearly visible to other water users: A swim buoy is indispensable with open water swimming. The brightly coloured float is attached to your waist via a cord and bobs along behind you without getting in the way. You are therefore well visible to boats, rowers and other swimmers. With fatigue or cramp the buoy also immediately offers something to hold onto and a resting point. Choose a model with a watertight storage compartment if you also want to take your keys, phone or payment cards.

There is a small tear or little hole in your wetsuit: Repair this as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. For a superficial tear that has not gone through the neoprene, neoprene glue suffices. Has the hole gone completely through the neoprene, then also use a neoprene patch or strip to bridge the damage on the inside. The sooner you repair, the less the damage will grow.

You want to hang your wetsuit well after training so that it dries without the shoulders stretching out of shape: Ordinary clothes hangers are not suitable for a wetsuit; the narrow shoulders pull the neoprene out of shape. A special wetsuit hanger has wider shoulder sections that distribute the weight of a wet wetsuit evenly. That prevents permanent deformation of the suit.

Your wetsuit smells of chlorine, salt or algae and you want to keep it clean: Rinse your wetsuit after each session with cold water and wash it regularly with a special wetsuit shampoo. That removes salt, chlorine, algae and bacteria that attack the neoprene in the long term. A deodoriser also helps if a wetsuit starts to smell despite rinsing.

You suffer from chafing on the neck or under the arms from your wetsuit: A skin and neck protector provides you with a thin protective layer on the places where the edge of the wetsuit chafes against your skin. Use only products specifically developed for use with neoprene. Vaseline seems an obvious solution but is harmful to neoprene due to the fatty acids it contains and is therefore not recommended.

You have difficulty getting your wetsuit on and off: An entry lubricant makes putting on and taking off a wetsuit considerably easier. Apply the product to your ankles and wrists before you put the suit on. It then slides more smoothly over the skin and simultaneously protects the neoprene. Talcum powder works in the same way and is a dry alternative option.

What to look for when purchasing?

Swim buoys

Choose a swim buoy based on volume and use. A small buoy of 10 to 15 litres is compact and little resistance, but offers limited support if you want to rest on it. A larger buoy of 20 litres or more offers more buoyancy and generally has more space in the storage compartment. Also pay attention to the colour: bright yellow or bright red are the most visible in the water. Models with an LED strip give extra visibility with evening swimming or with less daylight.

Neoprene glue and repair kits

For small tears that have not gone through the neoprene, neoprene contact glue is sufficient. Apply the glue to both sides of the tear, let it dry briefly and press the edges firmly together. For holes that go completely through the neoprene, a repair kit with neoprene patches is needed to bridge the damage on the inside. Preferably choose a kit that contains both glue and patches so that you are prepared for both situations. Always repair as quickly as possible: a small tear that you ignore quickly becomes a bigger hole with the next use.

Wetsuit hangers

A wetsuit hanger must be wide enough to distribute the weight of a wet wetsuit evenly over the shoulder sections. Narrow hangers concentrate the weight on one point and pull the neoprene out of shape at those places, which after a period leads to permanent deformations. Always hang a wetsuit upside down or use a hanger specifically designed for wetsuits.

Wetsuit shampoo and maintenance

Use exclusively shampoo specifically developed for neoprene and wetsuits. Regular soap or detergent is too aggressive and attacks the neoprene. Always rinse the wetsuit well with cold water after each session before using shampoo. Do not wash the wetsuit in the washing machine: the spinning and centrifuging damages the neoprene and the seams. Hang the wetsuit after washing in a cool, dark place; direct sunlight accelerates the ageing of neoprene.

Zip maintenance

The zip of a wetsuit deserves separate maintenance. Rinse the zip after each session and regularly apply zip lubricant or zip wax to keep the moving parts supple and prevent rust formation. A stiff or stuck zip that is forced with strength breaks quickly. Zip maintenance costs little effort but considerably extends the lifespan of the zip.

Our advice: Invest in a wetsuit hanger and a bottle of shampoo directly when purchasing your wetsuit. Good maintenance from day one considerably extends the lifespan of a wetsuit. A wetsuit that is rinsed after each session, occasionally washed and correctly hung up lasts years longer than a suit that ends up in a bag after use.

Which accessories do you really need?

Not every accessory is equally relevant for every swimmer. For open water swimmers, a swim buoy is the most essential addition: safety in open water starts with visibility. A wetsuit hanger and shampoo are sensible for everyone with a wetsuit, regardless of whether you are a triathlete or swim recreationally. Neoprene glue is handy to have available as soon as damage occurs for the first time; do not wait until a small tear has become too large to repair.

Skin and neck protection and entry lubricants are specifically for swimmers who regularly experience chafing problems or have difficulty putting on and taking off their wetsuit. Not everyone needs them, but if you suffer from them, they solve the problem immediately.

Who are wetsuit accessories suitable for?

• Open water swimmers who want to increase their safety with a swim buoy and want to be clearly visible in the water.
• Triathletes and swimmers who want to keep their wetsuit in good condition for as long as possible through correct maintenance and storage.
• Athletes who want to repair a small tear or hole in their wetsuit before it gets bigger.
• Swimmers who suffer from chafing from their wetsuit and want to better protect their skin.
• Everyone who has difficulty putting on and taking off a wetsuit and wants to make that process easier.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy wetsuit accessories but are not sure what suits your situation best? Then we are happy to help. You can reach our specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about wetsuit accessories

Why do I need a swim buoy with open water swimming?

A swim buoy considerably increases your visibility in open water, which makes you safer for other water users such as boats, rowers and kayakers. In addition, the buoy immediately offers something to hold onto if you get tired or get cramp: you can rest on it briefly without sinking. Models with a watertight compartment also offer the possibility of taking your keys, phone or payment cards into the water. A swim buoy never pulls with you in the water because it bobs along behind you.

How do I repair a tear in my wetsuit?

For a superficial tear, apply neoprene contact glue to both sides of the damage. Let the glue dry briefly until it almost feels dry, then press the edges firmly together and let the repair cure for at least a few hours before using the wetsuit again. Has the hole gone completely through the neoprene, also glue a neoprene patch or strip on the inside to bridge the damage. Never use vaseline or other fats around the repair: fatty acids attack neoprene.

Why may I not use a regular clothes hanger for my wetsuit?

A regular clothes hanger concentrates the weight of a wet wetsuit on the narrow shoulder sections. That pulls the neoprene out of shape at those places, which after a period leads to permanent deformations that affect the fit and performance of the suit. A special wetsuit hanger has wider shoulder sections that distribute the weight evenly. Also never dry a wetsuit in direct sunlight: UV radiation accelerates the ageing of neoprene.

Can I wash my wetsuit with regular soap or detergent?

No, regular soap and detergent are too aggressive for neoprene and attack the material with repeated use. Use exclusively shampoo specifically developed for wetsuits and neoprene. Also never wash the wetsuit in the washing machine: the spinning and centrifuging damages the neoprene and the seams. Rinse the wetsuit after each session with cold water and wash it periodically with wetsuit shampoo by hand.

What is an entry lubricant and when do I use it?

An entry lubricant is a lubricant that you apply to ankles and wrists before putting on your wetsuit. It makes fitting the wetsuit over your skin considerably easier and prevents the neoprene from sticking to the skin. It simultaneously protects the neoprene around the cuffs. Talcum powder works in a comparable way as a dry alternative option. Never use vaseline or sunscreen as a lubricant: they damage the neoprene.