Most long-swim rubbing has one cause: the neoprene moves against your skin. Two things let that happen. The suit is too loose, or it hasn't been pulled up into place. A dry, salty liner makes the friction worse.
Start With the Right Fit
A loose suit rubs. Neoprene should feel snug on dry land and more comfortable once water gets in. If you can pinch a handful of material at the lower back, or if the chest panel sags, there is too much room. Extra neoprene folds under the armpit and along the neck, then works like a wrinkle in a sock on a long swim. Use the Blue70 size charts by height and weight before you buy. If long, frequent swims are your normal week, the Reaction is the model Blue70 recommends for that training load. For women, every Blue70 wetsuit uses Femme Fit sizing, which adjusts the bust, torso, wrists, and ankles and lowers the neckline. Less spare material in those areas means fewer places for the suit to fold and rub.
Put It On in Layers
Most chafing starts on land. If you pull the shoulders up too early, you leave the suit low in the crotch and tight at the neck. Work the legs up first.
- Knead the neoprene upward from the calves, then the thighs, then the hips.
- Lift the suit high into the crotch before you put your arms through.
- Use your finger pads, not your fingernails.
- After the arms are in, reach behind and pull the lower back panel up.
- Settle each shoulder with a small upward slide.
A suit that sits high under the arms and in the crotch has less spare material to move against your skin.
Protect the Friction Points Before You Start
Apply a wetsuit-safe anti-chafe balm before you put the suit on, not after. The spots that most often need it are:
- Back of the neck
- Front of the neck at the zipper
- Underarms
- Inner biceps
- Collarbones
- Behind the knees
Choose a product made for wetsuits or neoprene. Avoid petroleum-based products; they can damage neoprene over time. Put the balm on your skin, not on the suit, unless the product label says it is safe for neoprene.
Stop Neck Rub Early
Neck rub usually means the suit hasn't settled, not that you need to cut it. Pull the collar up gently after donning, make sure the zipper cord lies flat, and let the suit take on a thin layer of water. Some swimmers fold the collar down to relieve pressure. That folds a thicker edge against the skin and rubs worse. If a high collar keeps irritating you after several swims, the lower-sitting neckline on the Fusion helps. Blue70 redesigned the Fusion in 2021 with a lower neckline for comfort without losing the seal. Women's Femme Fit lowers the neckline as well.
Rinse Out Yesterday's Salt
Dried salt, sunscreen, and pool chemicals leave a stiff film in the collar and cuffs. That film acts like sandpaper against the skin on the next swim. Rinse the suit inside and out with fresh water after every session. Use a wetsuit shampoo weekly or after a heavy salt day. Dry the suit inside out first, out of direct sun and away from heat. A clean, supple liner slides instead of sticking.
Adjust Mid-Swim
If a hotspot develops during a long swim, don't grind through it. Swim to shallow water, stop, and pull the suit away from that spot for a second, then let it settle. Pour water over the area if you can. A one-minute adjustment in the first ten minutes can stop a raw patch before it starts. For underarm friction that keeps returning, a sleeveless suit removes the underarm seam entirely. That option makes the most sense when the water is above roughly 70 to 72°F.
When to Exchange
If the same spot still rubs after proper donning and a few swims, that points to a shape mismatch. A suit that fits feels snug but should not saw at the same spot every session. Blue70's 30-day return and exchange policy covers suits that have been swum in, as long as they come back clean, dry, unmodified, with tags and accessories. You can swim in a Blue70 wetsuit and still exchange it. Use that option before you resign yourself to taping your neck for every swim.
Take a Test Swim: find your size in 30 seconds, then swim in the suit. If it doesn't settle, you can return or exchange it according to Blue70's policy. Happy Swimming!
