A wet Blueseventy wetsuit can handle a few hours in a swim bag without lasting damage, as long as the bag can breathe. The real risk starts when the suit stays zipped inside a hot or closed bag overnight. Get it out, rinse it, and hang it as soon as you can after the swim.
Why a closed wet bag works against the suit
Wetsuits are not waterproof. They let a thin layer of water inside, and your body warms that layer during the swim. After you get out, that water stays in the neoprene. When you zip the suit into a bag, the water cannot evaporate. A dark, wet bag gives odor-causing bacteria and mildew the conditions they need. A few hours in a ventilated bag is one thing. Overnight in a sealed bag is another.
Salt and chlorine make the problem worse. If you swim in the ocean or a chlorinated pool, those residues stay in the fabric until you rinse them out. Leaving a salty or chlorinated suit in a bag gives those residues more time to work into the neoprene and stitching. Over time, that can stiffen the suit and shorten its life.
What to do after a swim
Rinse the suit with fresh water as soon as possible. Turn it inside out and rinse both sides. If the swim venue has a shower, rinse the suit there before you drive home. If you can't rinse at the venue, leave the bag unzipped so moisture can escape, and rinse the suit when you get home.
- Gently press out excess water after rinsing. Do not wring or twist the neoprene.
- Hang the suit over a wide hanger or lay it flat to dry.
- Dry the inside first, then turn it right-side out to dry the outside.
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators, dryers, and other heat sources. Heat breaks down neoprene.
When you have to leave it in the bag
Sometimes you can't rinse or hang the suit right away. You may need to drive home, go back to work, or pack up after a race. In that case, open the bag so air can move through it. If the suit is dripping, wrap it in a towel first and press gently to remove the worst of the water. Then set the bag where it won't sit in direct sun or a hot car. A few hours in a ventilated bag is usually fine, but a suit sealed in a hot car for a full afternoon can develop a sour smell and creases that are much harder to remove.
Signs a wet bag has already caused trouble
A suit that has been left wet too long may show these warning signs:
- A sour or musty smell
- A slimy feel on the neoprene
- Creases that don't release when the suit dries
- A zipper that starts to stick
If the zipper sticks, rinse and dry the suit and inspect the zipper. If a seam is pulling or the neoprene has torn, clean and dry the suit before repairing it. Blueseventy wetsuit care includes Aquaseal neoprene cement for small neoprene repairs, but a repair won't fix heat damage or neglect. Blueseventy's warranty covers manufacturing and material defects for one year for the original owner. It does not cover heat damage, chlorine damage, or general wear.
The short answer
Use the swim bag for transport, not storage. Get the suit out, rinse it, and hang it as soon as you can after the last stroke. If you can manage that, a wet suit in the bag for a few hours on the way home is not a problem. A wet suit forgotten in a closed bag overnight is how a good wetsuit starts to break down.
