How to Dry an Open Water Swimming Wetsuit

If you swim open water, your wetsuit is the gear you depend on most, and how you dry an open water swimming wetsuit decides how long it lasts. Neoprene is happiest when it dries slowly, in the shade, away from direct heat. Leave a damp suit balled up in your boot or a sealed bag and you create the exact conditions that breed mildew, that sour smell, and the slow breakdown of the glue that holds the seams together. Salt water makes it worse. As the water evaporates, salt crystals stay behind in the neoprene and rub against the fibers every time you flex. The good news is that proper drying takes almost no effort once you have a routine. You rinse, you hang correctly, you give it time, and you store it flat or on a wide hanger. Do that after every swim and a quality suit can stay supple and warm for years instead of months. Below is the exact method, plus the small habits that make the biggest difference for open water swimmers specifically.

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Most wetsuit damage does not happen in the water. It happens in the hours after. The biggest mistake is hanging a heavy, soaked suit by the shoulders on a thin wire hanger. The weight pulls the shoulder panels out of shape and leaves permanent creases. Use a wide or folded hanger instead, or drape the suit at the waist so the load is balanced. The second mistake is heat. Neoprene contains tiny gas bubbles that give it warmth and stretch, and direct heat collapses them, so the suit goes stiff and thin. Dry it in the shade, every time. The third mistake is impatience. A suit that feels dry on the outside is often still damp in the lining, and storing it that way invites mildew. Give it a full day if you can. The last one is transport. A wet suit crammed into a backpack with your phone and keys traps moisture and salt against everything. That is where a dedicated waterproof bag changes your whole post-swim routine and keeps the wet stuff away from the dry stuff.

How long does it take to dry an open water swimming wetsuit?

In good airflow and shade, expect around 12 to 24 hours for both sides to dry fully. Drying it inside out first speeds up the part that matters most, the lining against your skin.

Can I dry my wetsuit in the sun to make it faster?

It is best not to. UV and direct heat break down neoprene and fade the suit. A shaded, breezy spot dries it nearly as fast without the damage.

Should I dry it inside out or right side out?

Start inside out so the lining dries first and stays fresh. Once that side is done, flip it and finish the outer layer.

How do I stop my wetsuit from smelling?

Rinse with fresh water after every swim, dry it fully before storing, and never leave it balled up in a bag. An occasional wetsuit-safe wash helps with stubborn odor.