Yes, you can. Rain does not stop a Blue70 wetsuit from doing its job. A wetsuit is not waterproof and does not need to be. It is designed to let a thin layer of water in. Your body warms that layer, and the neoprene holds it. Rain adds water to the outside. That does not change how the suit works. What rain does change is your visibility, surface conditions, and how you handle your gear before and after the swim.
What rain changes about an open-water swim
Rain flattens the light and breaks up the surface. That makes sighting harder, especially early in the morning or under heavy cloud. Cold rain also chills you while you stand on shore before entry. Once you are swimming, the suit continues to provide added thermal protection. The warmth you feel depends on the water temperature, your exposure time, and your own cold tolerance. For water below about 56 to 58 degrees F, the Blue70 Thermal Reaction is designed for cold-water swimming and adds meaningful warmth.
Rain also makes the suit slippery during donning. Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails, and take your time working the legs and shoulders up. A rushed donning session in the rain is one of the easiest ways to put a fingernail puncture in a new suit.
Choosing a Blue70 suit for rainy conditions
Rain does not create a separate wetsuit category. You still match the suit to the water temperature and the swim you plan. Below about 56 to 58 degrees F, choose the Thermal Reaction. It is fully lined with Zirconium jersey for warmth. For regular training in water that is not that cold, the Reaction uses higher-grade neoprene and suits longer swims. The Fusion has the lower-sitting neckline introduced in the 2021 redesign, which reduces chafing on steady open-water outings. If you are new to open water or watching your budget, the Sprint is the entry-level option.
For water above about 70 to 72 degrees F, a full suit feels too warm over a long swim. Choose a Reaction Sleeveless or a Blue70 swimskin there. If rain lands on race morning, the Helix is the race-day suit, pairing flexible shoulder neoprene with LIFT buoyancy panels, and it is not built for heavy training use, so save it for race day.
Visibility, safety, and staying seen in the rain
Rain lowers visibility for you and for anyone else on the water. Wear a bright cap. Use a swim buoy if it boosts your visibility and your venue allows it. Swim with a buddy or shore support. A wetsuit adds buoyancy, which improves body position and helps reduce drag, but it is not a personal flotation device. No Blue70 wetsuit is Coast Guard-certified as a flotation device. Check the water conditions and your own cold tolerance before a long rainy swim. If the rain is heavy enough to cut sighting distance, shorten the route or stay close to shore.
Goggle care when rain is hitting the lens
Rain on your lenses can pull oils and dirt into your line of sight. Rinse your goggles with fresh water before you start. Anti-fog coatings wear over time, so avoid wiping the inside with your fingers. For overcast, rainy light, a clear or lighter lens helps. Blue70 Contour goggles start at $37 and come in multiple frame and lens combinations. Check the current options for a lens that matches flat, low light.
Aftercare: rain does not replace a rinse
Rain is fresh water, but your suit still needs a thorough rinse after a lake, ocean, or chlorinated pool swim. Rinse the suit inside and out. Hang it to dry out of direct sun and away from heat. Do not wring it. Do not leave it folded wet in a bag. Small fingernail punctures and heel tears are common. Aquaseal neoprene cement handles those repairs. The warranty covers manufacturing and material defects for one year for the original owner, but not fingernail punctures, heel tears, or zipper damage from force.
If you buy a suit for rainy open-water swims, take it for a swim before you commit to keeping it. Blue70's Test Swim policy lets you swim in the suit and still return or exchange it within 30 days, provided it comes back clean, dry, unmodified, and with tags and accessories. Plan for lower visibility and a thorough rinse afterward. Happy swimming.
