Stop pulling the neckline like a handle. The two habits that lead to neck tears are unzipping partway and then stretching the suit over your head, and grabbing the collar with fingernails instead of finger pads. You can prevent neck tears by moving the suit in the order it was designed to move.
Unzip all the way first
The back zipper opens the suit from neck to lower back. When it's only half down, the neck opening still has to stretch around your shoulders and chin. Separate the zipper completely, then work the top down from your back rather than pulling the front collar over your head.
Stand on a towel or mat. Unzip to the very bottom stop. Push the suit off one shoulder, then the other, using your thumbs against the inside of the neoprene. Peel the upper body down to your waist. The suit will turn inside out as it goes. Grip the thicker material along the upper back or the zipper tape, not the raw neck edge.
Use finger pads, not nails
Fingernail punctures are a frequent cause of wetsuit damage, and Blue70's one-year warranty does not cover them. Trim your nails before a swim. Take off rings, watches, and bracelets before you remove the suit. A ring can catch the neck seam and start a tear you won't notice until you're rinsing the suit later.
When you need to grip the neck, use the flat pads of your fingers. Pinch gently, don't dig. If the suit is wet, your grip is better but the neoprene is heavier; support the weight with your other hand so all the tension doesn't concentrate at the collar seam.
Peel the suit down, don't yank
In transition or on shore, keep the suit moving in one piece instead of pausing halfway and twisting. After the top is down to your waist, sit if you can and roll the legs down using the ankle cuffs. Don't step on the suit, and don't pull the legs off by the waistband. Each sharp yank sends load to the nearest seam, and the neck seam takes the load.
Removal sequence that protects the neck:
- Unzip to the bottom stop.
- Push each shoulder free with your thumbs inside the suit.
- Peel the upper body down to your waist, turning the suit inside out.
- Roll or push the legs down using the ankle cuffs.
If you feel resistance at the neck, stop and re-grip. Pulling through resistance concentrates stress at the seam. Practice your removal twice in training before race morning. The motion becomes automatic, and you won't rush into a bad grip.
Which Blue70 suits put less material at the neck
The Fusion redesigned its neckline in 2021 to sit lower on the throat. That means less fabric rises up your neck to grab and twist during removal. It's the mid-range best seller at $420. The Reaction is built for frequent, longer swims, but the same peel technique applies. The Helix is race-day thin and flexible; treat the neck and shoulder panels with extra care because that thin neoprene will not forgive a hard pull.
Match the suit to how often you swim. For weekly open-water sessions, the Reaction and Fusion are the durability picks. If you only race in a suit, the Helix still needs the same careful removal despite its thin, flexible panels.
Repair a small tear before it spreads
Stop and inspect. A tiny nick at the neck can spread into a structural tear. Rinse the area with fresh water, dry it completely, and apply a thin layer of Aquaseal neoprene cement along the cut. Let it cure for the full time listed on the tube before wearing the suit again. Early repair keeps a small nick from becoming a seam failure.
Blue70's one-year warranty covers manufacturing and material defects for the original owner, but it excludes fingernail punctures, heel tears, zipper damage from force, heat and chlorine damage, and wear and tear. If the damage came from a hard pull, repair it with Aquaseal or contact Blue70 support for an inspection.
Need sizing help or a fit check? Use the Blue70 size chart or find a dealer near you. The Test Swim policy lets you swim in a wetsuit and still return or exchange it within 30 days if it comes back clean, dry, unmodified, and with tags and accessories. Happy swimming!
