You can use baby powder to help get into a swimming wetsuit, but you don't need to. Water and a proper donning technique get a Blue70 wetsuit on cleanly. Baby powder leaves a residue inside the suit that you will want to rinse out later.
Baby powder creates a dry, slippery layer between your skin and the neoprene. That can make the first pull easier, but it does not stay dry. A swimming wetsuit works by allowing a thin layer of water in. That water mixes with the powder and forms a paste in the cuffs, ankles, and seams. Plain water lubricates the same surfaces and rinses away without leaving grit behind.
Why water works better
A swim-specific Blue70 suit is designed to sit against damp skin. The neoprene and lining move more easily when wet. Blue70 wetsuits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell grades, and the suit should feel snug on dry land and more comfortable in the water. You want that close fit. Powder can make the suit slippery in the wrong places while adding a layer you then have to clean out.
How to put on a Blue70 wetsuit without powder
- Wet your legs and arms first.
- Wet the inside of the lower legs of the suit.
- Put one leg in and pull the neoprene up in small handfuls. Do not yank from the top edge.
- If the ankle opening feels tight, place a thin plastic bag over your foot. The bag helps your foot slide through the cuff, then you pull the bag out.
- Work the neoprene up over your hips and set the torso before putting your arms in.
- Guide each arm through with a damp hand. Use your knuckles or the flats of your fingers, not your fingernails.
- Adjust the collar and shoulder panels last, then do a few arm circles. The suit should feel close but not restrictive through the shoulders.
If you already used baby powder
Rinse the inside of the suit with cool fresh water after the swim. Turn it inside out if needed, let the water run through the cuffs and collar, and hang it to dry in the shade. Do not leave it packed damp. This rinse also removes salt, chlorine, and lake water, so it is worth doing after every swim anyway.
When to check the fit
If you feel like you need powder over your whole body to get into the suit, check the size before changing your routine. A Blue70 wetsuit is meant to feel tight on dry land. That tightness is normal. If the suit is consistently difficult to put on, use the fit guide or size chart and compare your height and weight. You can also take a test swim. Blue70 suits can be returned or exchanged within 30 days as long as they are clean, dry, unmodified, and have the tags attached.
The short version: skip the baby powder. Wet your skin, work the suit up in small handfuls, and save the powder for other uses. Happy swimming.
