How long should a wetsuit last?
A decent triathlon wetsuit is a serious investment and one you don't want to have repeat too often. Ollie Willis explains how long you can expect it to last.
How long a triathlon wetsuit lasts is largely dependent on the quality of the product and how you look after it. Here’s why longevity is a key consideration when buying your next wetsuit…
How long your wetsuit should last depends on a few key factors: the quality of the materials and construction, how often you use it, and importantly, how well you take care of it.
What is the life expectancy of a wetsuit?
A decent triathlon wetsuit from a reputable brand should last anywhere between four and 10 years, depending on the frequency of use.
Of course, this is a pretty general answer. You can choose a suit with longevity and boost its value by opting for a quality-made wetsuit and investing your time in taking care of it between uses.
When purchasing your triathlon wetsuit, go for the best quality you can afford and make sure it fits; a specialist fitting where you can essentially try before you buy might be worth considering.
And don’t be frightened to wear it! This is one instant when use is good. Wearing it often, not just for your most important race of the season, will help give the suit its flexibility and ‘wear it in’, so to speak.
If a triathlon wetsuit is not worn for long periods of time, it will be more stiff and difficult to get into, making you more prone to a bout of impatience and possibly causing tears (keeping fingernails short can help to avoid this).
Extending the lifespan of your wetsuit
Possibly the most important factor in all of this is wetsuit aftercare. Once you’ve returned from your swim in the sea or the lake, you must give your suit a good wash in the shower or with the hose with cool, fresh water.
Then, hang it inside-out to dry completely – a wetsuit hanger will make sure you don’t pull and affect the shape of the suit when drying.
After all of this excellent care, if you have issues with your suit then you may be able to use the warranty you have from the manufacturer, as most suits are sold with a minimum of one year’s warranty.
How often should you replace a wetsuit?
Though the warranty is for at least a year, you’d hope to be swimming in your wetsuit for several years before needing to replace it. But it’s good to know when to admit defeat and re-invest.
Signs that you should replace your wetsuit could manifest as the material starting to feel rough instead of the initially smooth, glideskin feel of a new suit. This is a sign that the neoprene is starting to deteriorate and you’re more likely to cause damage to the suit when using it as it’s becoming more delicate.
If you’re developed holes in key joint areas like the knees, elbows, or thighs from fingernails as you pull on the suit. These will reduce the robustness of the suit and are likely to get bigger as you use it. If you’ve accidentally created a tear in your suit, the be sure to follow our guide on how to repair your wetsuit as soon as possible, so that it doesn’t affect its lifespan.
If the suit’s features stop working, such as the zip breaks or is getting stiff, and it’s not something that can be fixed, then it’s better to retire the wetsuit and invest in a new triathlon wetsuit before it affects your training and performance. Nobody wants a leaky, draggy wetsuit!
Finally, consider replacing your wetsuit if it starts to develop mould or a smell that does not go away with washing. This could be a sign that the suit has not been dried adequately between uses, or it’s been stored in a humid/damp environment for too long.
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Ollie Willis
Senior audience development executive at Play Sports Network 
