You finish the last open-water swim of the season, rinse the suit, and hang it from the shoulder straps of a plastic hanger. Six months later, the shoulder panel has a crease that does not relax, and the neck seal sits slightly off. The suit was not abused. It was stored in the wrong shape.
Race-day athletes check transition times and tire pressure, then stuff a $995 Helix into a gear bin for the winter. Neoprene is a closed-cell foam, not a woven fabric. Given enough time under pressure, it takes the shape you leave it in. A sharp fold becomes a weak point. A thin hanger becomes a shoulder distortion. The fix is simple: store the suit so the foam rests without load.
Why Modern Race Suits Punish a Folded Drawer
Blueseventy wetsuits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell. Higher cell numbers mean more flexibility. Because modern race suits like the Helix use thin Yamamoto neoprene in the arms and shoulders and a flexible catch panel across the forearms, they are more pliable than the thicker suits that defined triathlon in the 1990s. That pliability helps you swim with less restriction. It also means the material takes a fold more easily than a stiff panel.
In 1993, blueseventy's predecessor developed one of the first triathlon wetsuits. The foam then was stiffer and less likely to show storage mistakes. Today's race suit is a more precise instrument. Treat it that way.
The Two Storage Positions That Prevent Creases
Hang by the waist, not the shoulders. Use a wide padded hanger. Fold the suit once over the bar at the waist and let the arms hang free. A wide bar spreads the bend so the suit drapes rather than creases. Hanging by the shoulders lets gravity pull on the shoulder seams and the thin arm panels for months. Over a long off-season, that load can stretch the upper body and leave the suit loose where it needs to sit snug. Do not use a wire hanger. Do not use a hook.
Lay the suit flat. For a season-long break, flat storage puts the least stress on the seams. Place the dry suit on a shelf, under a bed, or in a breathable cotton garment bag. Do not stack heavy gear on top. If you must fold it, roll the suit loosely around a dry towel instead of making a sharp fold. A rolled shape distributes the bend and avoids a single crease line.
Before You Store: Rinse, Dry, Inspect
Before any storage, rinse the suit inside and out with cool fresh water. Salt, chlorine, and lake water leave residue on the suit. Left in place for months, that residue can break down the surface of the neoprene. Turn the suit inside out and rinse again. Then dry it in the shade, not in direct sun. The Zirconium jersey lining inside the Thermal Reaction holds moisture, so give that suit an extra day to dry before packing it away. A damp suit stored for months can mildew, and mildew is harder to remove than creases.
Inspect the suit before you store it. Fingernail punctures at the wrists and ankles are common. Heel tears happen when a foot catches a rough transition mat. Small cuts at the neck or seams can spread the next time the suit stretches over your shoulders. Repair small nicks with Aquaseal neoprene cement before the suit goes into storage. That keeps a minor cut from growing into a tear.
What to Avoid
- Wire hangers and thin plastic hangers
- Hanging by the shoulder straps
- Sharp folds in a drawer or bin
- Hot garages, attics, and car trunks
- Direct sunlight, including sunlight through a window
- Plastic bags or sealed bins that trap moisture
- Storing the suit while it is even slightly damp
Heat attacks the foam and adhesives. Blueseventy's warranty excludes damage from heat, chlorine, and non-swimming use. A folded suit in a hot car or attic can develop permanent creases. Store the suit in a cool, dark, dry room instead.
If a Crease Appears
Minor creases often relax at room temperature. Hang the suit by the waist in a cool room for a few days and let the foam settle. Do not iron it. Do not use a hair dryer. Do not soak it in hot water. Heat can damage the neoprene and the seam adhesive. If a fold line remains, inspect the area for surface cracks. Apply Aquaseal to any small split before you swim again. If the suit still feels off in the water, check the fit guide and size charts to see whether the suit is sitting correctly.
A Season-End Routine
- Rinse the suit inside and outside with cool fresh water.
- Turn it inside out and rinse again.
- Dry it completely in the shade.
- Inspect the wrists, ankles, neck, and seams.
- Repair small nicks with Aquaseal neoprene cement.
- Store it hanging by the waist or laid flat in a breathable bag.
- Keep it in a cool, dark, dry room.
The best storage habit is boring. Rinse, dry, inspect, hang at the waist or lay flat. No heat, no sunlight, no sharp folds. A suit stored that way comes out of the off-season ready for the first buoy line, without a crease in the shoulder or a stretched neck seal. If you want a second opinion on fit before the season starts, the fitting guide and size charts on the blueseventy site can help. Happy swimming.
