Yes. A new wetsuit often has a noticeable smell when you first unpack it. The odor usually comes from the neoprene foam, the adhesives used during construction, and the fresh linings that have been sealed inside packaging. It is not a sign that the suit is dirty or defective.
Blueseventy builds its wetsuits with Yamamoto 38, 39, and 40 cell neoprene. Neoprene is a closed-cell foam. To shape a suit, the foam is cut into panels, the seams are glued, and the panels are stitched together. The foam and bonding agents release compounds as the suit is made, packed, and shipped. When the suit sits in a bag or box, those compounds have nowhere to go. The smell concentrates enough to be obvious the moment you open it.
Why does a new wetsuit smell?
This is a packaging and production odor. It usually fades after a rinse and a few days of airing. A wetsuit is not designed to be odorless out of the box, and the smell does not mean the neoprene is breaking down.
How long does the smell last?
For most swimmers, the new-suit smell fades within a few days to a couple of weeks. Suits that have been sealed in packaging for a long time can smell stronger at first. A rinse and a few hours of airing take care of most of it. The first swim usually finishes the job.
How to air out a new suit
- Unpack the suit as soon as you can.
- Rinse it in cool fresh water. A shower or bathtub works.
- Hang it to dry out of direct sunlight. Turn it inside out first if the inside liner holds the stronger odor.
- Leave it somewhere ventilated. A shaded drying rack or a wide plastic hanger works well.
After the first open water swim, rinse the suit again. Most of the new-suit smell is gone by then.
What not to do
- Do not machine wash or machine dry the suit.
- Do not leave it folded in a bag, car, or transition bag.
- Do not use hot water, bleach, fabric softener, or harsh detergents.
- Do not spray it with deodorizers or oils.
When to contact Blueseventy
If the smell is still strong after several rinses and a week or two of airing, or if the suit feels oily or leaves a residue, stop and contact us at us@blueseventy.com. Do not use solvents or attempt a repair. The support team can help determine whether the suit is behaving normally.
Once the smell fades, rinse the suit in cool fresh water after every swim and air dry it out of direct sun. That routine preserves the neoprene and keeps the suit ready for your next session.
