How to repair a wetsuit: Best tips and kits for 2025

A triathlon wetsuit is an investment, and one that if treated with care, should stand the test of time. A wetsuit isn’t immune to knicks and scratches though, luckily most damage can be repaired.

Should you find yourself with an accidental hole or scrape in your wetsuit, the best thing you can do is not to panic and act fast by patching it up, before it gets any bigger and affects your swim performance in the water.

With the right knowledge and tricks up your sleeve, you can increase the lifespan of your wetsuit significantly and bump up your bang for buck.

Here’s how to increase the longevity of your wetsuit and get your money’s worth…

Jump to:

• How to repair a hole in a torn wetsuit
• Best wetsuit repair kits to buy
• How to avoid damaging your wetsuit

How to repair a hole in a torn wetsuit

Inspect your wetsuit for tears after each use, as they’re easier to fix when small. Small tears (up to a couple of centimetres) can be repaired at home (see below); tears bigger than a few inches may require professional repair services. Right, onto the fix…

1. Clean the area around the rip. Ensure there’s no dirt, sand or wax around the ripped area. If the area isn’t cleaned, the repair might not heal correctly. Then, open up the rip to reveal both sides of the tear.
2. Apply a first coat of neoprene adhesive to both surfaces (find online). The glue can be applied with a short bristle brush. Do not press the sides together.
3. Let the glue dry for about 1-3mins (depending on room temperature and humidity), keeping the two sides apart. The glue normally looks glossy when wet and matte when dry; it should feel slightly tacky and not stick to your finger.
4. Once the first coat is dry, apply a second coat to both sides and begin to dry.
5. Firmly bring the two sides of the rip together, doing your best to keep the seam in a straight line.
6. Use a weighted object to keep pressure on the tear while it fully dries and seals.

You should find that the seal dries within 2-3mins, but the seal will form more fully if you allow it to dry for at least 6hrs. The best option would be to allow it to dry overnight to allow the strongest seal possible to form.

Best wetsuit repair kits to buy in 2025

C Skins Wetsuit Repair Kit

The Black Witch glue for neoprene is one of the most popular choices for wetsuit repair. It’s included in this wetsuit repair kit from C Skins, along with patches of different shapes and sizes to fasten onto your wetsuit.

The glue kit comes with a little applicator brush to help you accurately get the glue where it’s needed, a section of neoprene tape, and neoprene patches.

The patches are helpful when making sure the newly-sealed tear remains waterproof. Small tears can be sealed by glue alone, but to be extra safe covering up the hole can be effective.

The glue – also known as contact cement – should last longer than the patches, however, so make sure you use them as and when they’re needed.

Neoprene Queen Wetsuit Repair Kit

Neoprene Queen offers its own Wetsuit & Neoprene Adhesive that can work as a repair glue. It’s a black contact cement that promises to fix tears (ideally smaller ones) in just a few minutes.

Its USP is its speed, Neoprene Queen tout their glue as so quick-working, that you can jump back in the water straight away once repairing a rip.

The kit includes two 5g tubes of the black neoprene repair adhesive. Though it claims to not need patches for its use, the kit also comes with a patch of 3mm neoprene rubber, so if you have a hole that’s too large to glue together, you’ll be able to cover it up.

Most smaller tears should be able to be secured without any patches, however, as the glue works as a contact cement to fasten the points together.

To use, apply the glue to both edges of the rip or hole. Wait for two minutes, then press both edges together for 20 seconds. Within the space of five minutes, it should be dry and the suit ready to use again as new.

Black Witch Wetsuit Repair Glue

This is an ideal choice if you’re looking for the Black Witch Repair Glue without it being part of a kit, like the one mentioned above.

The glue can bond to neoprene, latex, and rubber. It can often be all you need to fix tears but, if you pair this with your own supply of neoprene patches, you can cover up holes that are much bigger.

The glue dries in 20 minutes, so can be used on the go. It’s waterproof and creates a seal over holes and rips, reinforcing the damaged suit. You can also apply the glue to high wear areas, like knees and elbows, to add durability.

Osprey Neoprene Wetsuit Repair

Osprey has a range of wetsuits available, so it’s no surprise that they offer their own wetsuit repair glue. Osprey’s Wetsuit Repair Kit includes this glue along with a range of neoprene patches and strips to patch up any sized holes and tears.

The kit comes in a compact case, easy to slip in your bag on the go. It also comes with: 30ml neoprene glue, one strip of 1mm black tape, two 2cm patches, two 3cm patches, two 5cm patches, all in the plastic case.

To use, follow our universal instructions listed above and ensure the glue has bonded well before going back in the water.

How to avoid damaging your wetsuit

Now you know how to repair a tear in your wetsuit, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again. The first step is knowing how to avoid things that can damage your wetsuit.For instance, when putting on your wetsuit, avoid standing on hard or rough surfaces as they can damage the neoprene.

Instead, place down a towel or board bag. While putting on or taking off your wetsuit, be careful with rings, fingernails and watches as they can easily damage the neoprene. Some wetsuits come with gloves, which are ideal to avoid any unnecessary damage.