Triathlon can be expensive, with wetsuits being one of the most expensive items, other than the bike. So, it's imperative that you take care of your neoprene so it lasts a long time.
When someone buys a HUUB wetsuit from us, we send them an email highlighting how to put the wetsuit on, what to do before storing the suit, how to store it, and more.
Here are our pro tips:
Putting on your wetsuit.....
Use gloves to put the suit on so you do not nic it with your nails.
Pull it up from the inside of the suit as much as possible.
Putting a wetsuit on for the first time can be a chore, so we have a video from Head Coach Julia Aimers on your Youtube channel showing how to put the wetsuit on
Before storing the suit...
Ensure the suit is rinsed thoroughly inside and out. Clean water should be enough; no cleaning agents should be needed.
Make sure the wetsuit is left to dry completely before storing. It's usually best to dry it inside out first, then reverse it. Hanging it in a shower is a good place so it can drip dry.
If drying outside avoid direct sunlight and dry it inside out.
To store the suit...
You can loosely fold it and put it in the supplied mesh bag on a shelf out of harm's way but don't stack anything on top of it.
You can also hang the wetsuit in a wardrobe using a wide-shouldered, rounded hanger. Not the thin plastic or wire type.
If you have the space to lay it flat under a bed or sofa then that is also an option. We would recommend covering it with a sheet or something to protect it from dust.
Pool swimming?
Chlorine is not a very friendly chemical to any material or even ourselves! We highly recommend removing the wetsuit right after a pool swim and ensuring it is rinsed thoroughly inside & out with warm water and then left to dry naturally.
Chaffing?
Petroleum-based products (vaseline/baby oil) do degrade or eat away the neoprene, however only if left soaked or covered for a long period of time. If you feel you need to use such products to prevent chaffing or aid quick removal, please make sure you use as little as possible and clean/rinse off as quickly as possible.
We recommend HUUB LUUB or Bodyglide instead. It will protect the skin from friction and moisture, allows a wetsuit or tri suit to slide on and off a lot more easily, and can aid a faster transition - all without damaging the suit.
We hope these tips help you keep your wetsuit in top shape and part of your triathlon kit for many years.
Julia Aimers
CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist
CSEP High-Performance Specialist
Certified Triathlon, Cycling, Yoga and Swimming Coach
USA Cycling Level 2 Coach
Training Peaks Accredited Coach
A year ago I could only tread water and had not run since childhood. With the amazing Virtual Olympic course, support, guidance, and tips from of all the folks at Team Triumph I've ended the season with my first Olympic distance triathlon under my belt and am hooked! Really looking forward to the 2025 season and even to the hard work over the winter to prepare. Karen Houle
I wanted to let you know that the Perth triathlon was a great experience, I somehow placed third in my age group! What a supportive group of participants (including Team Triumph athletes), cheering bystanders and volunteers.
Thanks to your swim lessons, I learned the technical basics and gained confidence to get back in the pool after decades. And it was really special doing this with Ann Laidlaw, my bestie for many years. We did a couple of additional swims with Kevin and Team Triumph people, also a great way to continue learning and practicing good technical form.
I will continue with lane swimming and who knows, maybe there's another triathlon in my future!
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman