Putting On a Wetsuit Wet or Dry: Which Is Easier?
The question of whether to put on a wetsuit wet or dry divides every surf and swim group. Some swear by getting wet briefly beforehand, others curse every damp patch on their skin. Both are a little bit right – and that’s exactly what causes the confusion.
We at FlipSoc took a closer look at the topic: what actually happens between skin and neoprene? And why is the “half wet” state almost always the worst?
Here you’ll get a clear answer, an overview of typical situations and solutions for the moments when you have no choice.
In short: A wetsuit is usually easiest to put on dry, because dry skin sticks least to the inside. Damp or sweaty skin is the hardest. A completely wet suit on wet skin glides a little better than a half-damp one, but is still a struggle. A smooth gliding layer on hands and feet solves the problem in any condition.
Which is easier: putting on a wetsuit wet or dry?
Dry is easier in most cases. Dry skin and a dry, jersey-lined suit create the least grip, and the material can be pushed up in sections without sticking.
As soon as moisture comes into play, that changes. A thin film of water or sweat on the skin acts like a suction cup. The lining of the wetsuit sticks fast, and every centimetre takes more effort. It gets particularly tough at the heels, ankles and wrists, where the cuffs are tight.
Completely wet – skin and suit dripping, for example right in shallow water – it can glide a little better than when half damp, because more water acts as a lubricating film. But that’s rarely a real advantage over dry.
Why does damp skin stick to neoprene?
Damp skin sticks to neoprene because a thin film of liquid creates adhesion – similar to two wet panes of glass that are hard to pull apart. The thinner the film, the stronger the effect.
Sweat makes this worse because it is slightly sticky. If you change in summer heat after warming up or after a drive in a warm car, you’ll notice it immediately. Skin with cream on it can also change the friction – usually for the worse, because sunscreen on the skin tends to brake rather than glide.
The inside of most surfing, triathlon and diving suits is jersey-lined. Dry, this lining glides quite well; wet, it partly loses this advantage. With smoothskin or open-cell suits, as used in freediving, on the other hand, the inside is bare neoprene that grips extremely well when dry. That’s why these suits are traditionally put on with lubricating water – a special case that doesn’t apply to normal wetsuits.
Which state is the most difficult?
The most difficult is the half-damp state: slightly sweaty skin, or skin that has been dried but is still clammy, in a damp suit. There are neither dry gliding surfaces nor enough water to act as a lubricating film.
| State | Skin | Suit | Putting on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completely dry | dry | dry | easiest |
| Sweaty | damp, sticky | dry | hard |
| Half damp | clammy | damp | hardest |
| Completely wet | wet | wet | medium to hard |
| With gliding layer | doesn’t matter | doesn’t matter | easy |
The table shows: the situation is what decides. And since you rarely find laboratory conditions by the water, it’s worth looking at typical scenarios.
Typical situations and what you can do
Depending on the place and time, you’ll have different conditions. Here are the most common scenes from practice.
At the swimming pool or indoor pool
At the pool, the air is humid and warm, and your skin is often already slightly sweaty or wet from the shower. Dry yourself thoroughly before putting on the suit, especially your feet, calves and hands. Put the wetsuit on calmly in the changing room, not on the wet pool edge.
If you train in your wetsuit in the pool, for example before the open water season, you’ll find lots of advice on technique and getting used to it in our guide to swimming in a wetsuit.
At the beach or lake
At the beach you’ve usually arrived dry – that’s your chance. Put on your wetsuit before you go into the water, not after you’ve already got your feet wet. Stand on a mat so no sand gets onto your damp feet, because sand increases friction and abrades the material.
In the sun: don’t wait around in the heat for ages. If you sweat, you make putting it on harder for yourself. Better to change in the shade or right after you arrive.
Session 2 with a wet wetsuit
The toughest test: lunch break, you’ve taken off your wet wetsuit, and after eating it has to go back on. Suit and skin are damp, and often it has got cooler too. This is exactly where many people fail at the heels and wrists.
A proven approach is to hang the suit inside out in the shade between sessions so the inside dries a little. Dry your feet and hands thoroughly before getting in. And a smooth gliding layer on foot and hand makes the biggest difference – more on that in a moment.
After warming up in triathlon
Before a race you want to be warm, but not climb into your wetsuit sweaty. Plan getting changed so that you have time to dry off after a short warm-up jog, then put the suit on without rushing. Afterwards you can warm up by swimming in the water.
In cold and windy conditions
In the cold season, another factor comes in: cold fingers grip less well, and cold neoprene is stiffer than warm neoprene. A dry suit at room temperature is much easier to put on than one that has spent the night wet in the car. Store your wetsuit as dry and not too cold as possible before the session, and put it on out of the wind. A wet suit in the wind will also chill you before you even get in.
How do you put on a wet wetsuit anyway?
The best way to get a wet wetsuit on is either to make everything properly wet or to put a smooth gliding layer between skin and suit. Half measures are the most exhausting.
- Make a decision: Either dry your skin thoroughly or deliberately get in completely wet, for example standing ankle-deep in the water.
- Prepare the suit: Turn the suit the right way out and roll the legs back to just above the cuffs.
- Use a gliding layer: Pull a gliding aid over your foot before slipping into the leg.
- Work in small sections: Wet material can’t be pushed far in one go. Re-grip more often, using fingertips rather than nails.
- Same at the top: Use the gliding aid again for your hands, then work the sleeves up from the bottom.
We describe the complete basic technique, including preparation, back zip and front zip, in detail in our guide How to put on a wetsuit. And if you have to take the wet suit off in between, you’ll find the right technique in the article How to take off a wetsuit.
Which products should you avoid?
You shouldn’t use washing-up liquid, hair conditioner, oil or Vaseline, even if they make things slippery in the short term. These products can attack neoprene, seams and glue and shorten the life of your suit.
Especially with a wet wetsuit, the temptation to help things along with something “slippery” is great. Soapy water is a method common with smoothskin suits in freediving – for normal, jersey-lined wetsuits it’s unnecessary and not advisable in the long run. Residues can also irritate the skin and pollute the water.
Better, material-friendly alternatives are:
- Drying your skin thoroughly, especially your feet and hands
- A thin plastic bag over your foot or hand as a single-use emergency solution
- A thin sock, as long as it’s dry
- A Lycra shirt under the suit for the upper body
- A reusable gliding aid made of smooth nylon
Why FlipSoc works wet and dry
FlipSoc solves exactly the problem described in this article: the grip between skin and neoprene at the tightest spots. The dressing aid made of smooth ripstop nylon is pulled over your foot or hand. Then you slip into the leg or sleeve, and the neoprene glides over the nylon through the cuff instead of sticking to your skin.
Because the nylon itself absorbs hardly any water and dries quickly, it doesn’t matter whether your skin is dry, sweaty or wet. That’s especially handy for the second session with a wet wetsuit. Unlike a plastic bag, FlipSoc doesn’t tear after a few uses and doesn’t end up in the bin.
An honest note: FlipSoc is designed for classic wetsuits with a jersey-lined interior – the vast majority of surfing, triathlon, swimming and diving suits. It is not suitable for smoothskin or open-cell suits from freediving and spearfishing, where the inside is bare, rubbery neoprene that sticks to the skin. You’ll find many more answers about use and areas of application in our FAQ.
Frequently asked questions about putting on a wetsuit wet or dry
Should I get wet before putting on my wetsuit?
With normal, jersey-lined wetsuits, usually not. Dry skin grips the least, which is why putting it on dry is generally easiest. If you do get wet, then get completely wet – half damp is the hardest.
Why is my wetsuit so hard to get on after the first session?
After the first session, skin and suit are damp, and this half-wet state creates the strongest grip. Add to that colder hands and less patience. Drying off, airing the suit inside out and a gliding layer on feet and hands help considerably.
Does sunscreen or body lotion help with putting it on?
No, rather the opposite. Creams often make the skin stickier rather than smoother and can leave residues in the suit. So only apply cream to the areas that stay uncovered once the suit is on, such as your face and hands.
Are smoothskin suits put on differently?
Yes. Smoothskin or open-cell suits have bare neoprene on the inside, which grips the skin strongly when dry. That’s why they’re usually put on with lubricating water. For normal, jersey-lined wetsuits this method isn’t necessary.
Does a dressing aid also work with a wet wetsuit?
Yes, a smooth nylon dressing aid works wet and dry, because it eliminates the grip between skin and neoprene at the tight cuffs. What matters is that your suit is jersey-lined on the inside. It is not suitable for smoothskin suits.
Conclusion
The question of whether to put on your wetsuit wet or dry has a clear basic answer: dry is usually easiest, half damp the hardest, completely wet somewhere in between. Sweat and sunscreen don’t make things any better.
Since you rarely have a choice by the water, preparation pays off: dry off, don’t wait around in the heat, air the suit between sessions. And on your feet and hands, a smooth gliding layer helps more than any home remedy – without attacking the material.
If you want to stop depending on whether you get in wet or dry: find FlipSoc, the dressing aid for your wetsuit, here.
