When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home / Gear / Swim / Wetsuits / Wetsuit: how to put one on quickly and easily

How to put on a wetsuit quickly and easily

Putting on a wetsuit is never easy, but before a race can be particularly stressful with nerves a-flying. Here we explain a tried-and-tested method for putting on a wetsuit under pressure

Credit: Harry Engels/Getty Images for Ironman)

1. Put wetsuit lubricant on any areas prone to chaffing. Prepare the suit by unzipping and rolling it inside out down to half a leg. Put your foot in a thin plastic bag and then slip it into the leg pulling the suit up as you go. Peel the bag off your foot and repeat on the other leg. This helps you to put the legs of the wetsuit on a lot more easily.

2. Pull the wetsuit over your thighs; make sure it’s snugly into the crotch. If this area is sagging, the suit will be too tight at the shoulders and chest.

3. Pull the sleeves on over your arms. Make sure the armpit area is pulled up, similar to the crotch.

4. Pull the zip up securing any Velcro fastenings. The zip ‘strap’ should be beneath the fastening and hang over the top.

5. Bend forwards and make sure that any rolls of neoprene are worked out by hoisting the material upwards towards the shoulders.

6. Put some extra lubricant around the neck and at the bottom of the legs to help wetsuit removal in transition.

7. Before you dive or run into the water, always swing your arms slowly (forward and back) to loosen them off.

8. Work through some stroke patterns to activate the relevant muscles. This also prepares your mind.

9. In the water do a 10min warm-up (with some 10-15sec speed pick-ups) and then arrive at the start line 5mins before the gun to create space for yourself

How can you tell if your wetsuit fits properly?

How thick should my tri wetsuit be?

How long should a triathlon wetsuit last?

What’s the difference between a triathlon wetsuit and a surf wetsuit?

Profile image of 220 Triathlon Team 220 Triathlon Team Journalists, reviewers, coaches and athletes

About

The 220 Triathlon team is made up of vastly experienced athletes, sports journalists, kit reviewers and coaches. In short, what we don't know about multisport frankly isn't worth knowing! Saying that, we love expanding our sporting knowledge and increasing our expertise in this phenomenal sport.