A wetsuit that creeps upward into the groin has two common causes: the suit is not fully seated on the legs and hips, or the torso panel is too short. Fix the first one at the water's edge; fix the second with the Blue70 size calculator.
Pull the legs and hips up all the way
Riding up from a donning issue often starts at the ankles. Put the suit on with your palms and the pads of your fingers, not your fingernails. Fingernail punctures are not covered under the Blue70 warranty, so this habit protects the suit.
- Work one leg at a time. Slide the leg opening over the foot, then lift the fabric in small increments from ankle to calf to knee to mid-thigh.
- Do not grab the waist and yank. Once both legs are in, pull the suit higher at the hips before you put your arms through.
- With the legs seated, bend forward at the waist and shift the hip material upward with your palms until the crotch panel sits flush against your body and there is no slack across the front of the hip.
- If you still feel a fold, pull more material up from the legs.
- Settle the shoulders last. Get the underarm seam up into the armpit, smooth the chest and back panels, and zip. A shoulder panel that sits twisted or low pulls the torso upward with every stroke.
Check torso length
If the suit still climbs after careful donning, the torso panel is too short for your shape or the suit is too small overall. Start with the Blue70 size calculator using height and weight. If you are between sizes, let torso length and hip measurement decide. A long torso can require a size up even when your weight matches a smaller size. The crotch panel should not be under tension when you stand tall.
Do not size down to fix riding up. A shorter torso panel makes the distance from shoulder to groin tighter, and the upward pull gets worse.
Re-seat the suit after it fills
A wetsuit allows a thin layer of water inside, and the suit shifts slightly as that layer settles. Swim 50 to 100 meters, stop, and re-seat the suit. Pull the outer hips upward, reset the shoulder panels, and keep swimming. If the crotch climbs after that, the fit is the problem.
What Blue70 fit changes at the hips and torso
Blue70 suits are cut for swimming in a horizontal body position. Several design details reduce upward pull:
- Helix uses flexible shoulder and arm neoprene, so arm movement does not tug the torso as much.
- Femme Fit changes the pattern at the hips, torso, wrists, and ankles and adds a longer zipper. That gives the hip area more room instead of dragging the torso panel upward.
When to exchange
You can swim in a Blue70 wetsuit and still return or exchange it within 30 days when it comes back clean and dry. Test the fit instead of guessing. If proper donning and a re-seat do not stop the riding up, exchange for the next size or use the size calculator for a second check. A suit that stays seated at the groin lets you focus on the swim.
