Roll it loose, and store it flat when you can. Folding a suit for long-term storage is the faster route to creases that change how the suit fits.
Blue70 wetsuits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell grades. The higher the cell number, the more flexible the foam. The thin arm and shoulder panels on a Helix rely on that flexibility. The same soft material can hold a sharp fold if you leave it compressed in one position for weeks.
Why folds cause creases
Neoprene foam cells compress when you fold the suit at the waist or bend an arm panel back on itself. A tight fold presses the outer jersey, the foam, and the inner lining into one narrow line. Over time, that line becomes a crease. The crease usually shows up near the shoulders, hips, or zipper, the places where the suit needs to stretch and lie flat.
Folding is not the same as draping a suit over a wide rail or laying it flat. A single fold for a few hours in a transition bag will not ruin a Blue70 suit. The damage comes from leaving that same fold under the weight of other gear for days or months.
How to roll a wetsuit
Roll the suit from the ankles toward the chest. Keep the roll loose. If the roll looks like a yoga mat, you have pulled it too tight. A loose roll should have some give across the middle.
Roll only when the suit is dry. A wet roll traps moisture against the neoprene and the lining after a saltwater or chlorine swim. That damp environment leads to odor and can weaken the glued seams if the suit stays in a gear bag for a week.
Before you store: rinse and dry
Rinse the suit inside and out in cool fresh water after every swim, then let both sides dry fully out of direct sunlight before you roll, fold, or hang it away. Check the suit for fingernail punctures and heel tears while it dries. Those are common on new suits because the neoprene is soft and easy to catch when you pull it up. These punctures are not covered by the Blue70 one-year warranty, so handle the suit with your finger pads rather than your nails.
How to store at home
For long-term storage, lay the suit flat on a shelf or in a drawer. Fold the arms across the chest if you need to, but do not tuck one panel under another. If you prefer hanging, use a broad hanger and drape the suit at the waist rather than hanging it by the neck or shoulders. Hanging a wet suit by the shoulders can stretch the top panel.
Keep the suit in a cool, dry closet. Heat from a car trunk, a heater, or direct sun breaks down neoprene over time.
Rolling for travel
A rolled suit travels well. Put it in a ventilated mesh bag so any leftover moisture escapes. If you fold it for a short flight, fold once at the waist and avoid crossing the zipper. Repack it as a roll when you arrive.
For a race morning, lay the suit flat in transition on top of a towel. A single fold over the towel is fine. Avoid piling other gear on top of it.
The short version
- Roll for bins, race bags, and travel.
- Lay flat when you have shelf or drawer space.
- Avoid tight folds over long periods.
- Keep the suit dry before it goes into storage.
Small nicks in the neoprene can be repaired with neoprene cement. The Blue70 care collection includes Aquaseal for that job.
Happy Swimming.
