Roll it. For storage, a loose roll beats a folded crease. Folding concentrates all the bend into one sharp line, and over time that line becomes a weak point in the neoprene and the inner lining. A loose roll spreads the same bend over a wider curve, so no single area takes the full load. If you hang the suit on a broad hanger, that works too, but between rolling and folding, roll.
Why a fold causes more harm than a roll
When you fold a wetsuit, you force the foam cells along the fold line to compress sharply. The outer nylon or smoothskin layer and the inner jersey lining stretch or pinch at that same line. Do this repeatedly in the same place, and the fold line can become a permanent crease. The lining may begin to lift from the foam, and the surface can show a flattened strip that interferes with how the suit sits on your body.
blueseventy suits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell grades. A higher cell number means more flexibility, and blueseventy puts the thinnest, most flexible grades in the shoulder and arm panels on suits like the Helix. That flexibility is good for stroke freedom, but it gives a hard fold less dense material to crush. The sharper the fold, the more likely the crease becomes visible and permanent.
One fold in a transition bag will not ruin a suit. Wetsuit creases often relax when the suit gets wet and moves with your body. The problem is repeated folding in the same spot, especially if the suit is damp, stuffed into a gym bag, or left in a hot car. Heat and moisture help set the crease.
How to roll a blueseventy wetsuit for storage
Start with a clean, dry suit. Rinse it in fresh water after every saltwater or chlorinated swim, then dry it inside and out, away from direct sunlight. Neoprene dries slowly, so hanging the suit on a wide-shoulder hanger or laying it flat for a few hours helps. Don't put it away damp.
- Lay the suit flat on a towel or clean floor. Leave the zipper undone or lightly closed, not under tension.
- Fold the arms across the chest in a natural position. Avoid sharp creases at the armpits.
- Roll from the ankles upward toward the chest. Keep the roll loose and even. If you need to squeeze it tight to make it fit a bag, the roll is too tight.
- Place the rolled suit in a breathable container or on a closet shelf, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
- If you travel with it, pack the roll so heavier items don't press down on it.
A suit rolled this way can sit for months without developing the sharp fold line that repeated folding causes. If you have to fold because of limited space, fold once, vary the fold location, and unpack it as soon as you can.
Hanging on the right hanger avoids fold lines
Use a wide, thick hanger rather than a thin wire or a narrow shoulder hook. The hanger should support the shoulders without putting a hard pinch at the neck. Hang the suit by the waist or shoulders depending on hanger shape. Don't hang a wet suit by the neck with the zipper closed tight, because wet neoprene is heavier and stretches.
For most people, the practical choice is roll for drawers, bins, and travel, and hang on a wide hanger for closet storage.
What to avoid during storage
Heat is the biggest issue. A car trunk in summer, a radiator, or direct sunlight through a window can bake the neoprene and set creases. Avoid sharp pressure from heavy bins, folded edges, or gear with hard buckles. Velcro and zipper pulls from other gear can nick the surface. If you notice a small tear or fingernail puncture, repair it before storing. blueseventy carries a neoprene cement for those repairs, and a small nick can grow into a split if it is left untreated.
Don't store a wet wetsuit in a plastic bag. Mildew can grow, and trapped chlorine or salt can break down the material.
Rolling wins for storage because it protects the areas that make a blueseventy suit perform: the flexible shoulder panels, the smooth body panels, and the zipper. Rinse, dry, and roll after each swim. The suit keeps its shape and its feel for the water longer.
