How to Put on a Triathlon Wetsuit

Triathlon wetsuits provide warmth in cold water and an extra bit of buoyancy that helps swimmers go faster and save their strength in a race. The wetsuits are tight-fitting, though, and getting the suit on is sometimes a challenge for the less-experienced athlete. With a few simple actions, it doesn't have to be a chore.

Things You'll Need

  • Wetsuit
  • Lubricant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get a wetsuit. It's important to understand that there is a difference between wetsuits made for swimming, like triathlon wetsuits, and those made for other purposes, like scuba diving and surfing. Triathlon wetsuits allow the shoulders to move freely, facilitating the swim stroke, and are thinner than other types to stay within rules for the amount of buoyancy they provide. There are several different styles of wetsuit, the two most popular being "full-suits," covering the arms and legs, and "sleeveless," which, as the name suggests, don't have sleeves. Sleeveless suits are a bit easier to take on and off, but don't provide as much warmth as the full suits.

    • 2

      Prepare your body for the wetsuit. Putting a lubricant on your body will make the suit slide on and off more easily. Commercial lubes like BodyGlide come in an easy to apply stick form. Simply rub BodyGlide over the main "sticking points," like your ankles and feet, legs, and in spots that may chafe, like the back of the neck and around the shoulders. Some athletes will use a spray non-stick cooking spray like Pam to achieve the same effect. Whatever the case, do not use Vaseline. The chemicals in petroleum jelly can damage the material of the suit.

    • 3

      Unzip the suit and lay it out in front of you. Insert one leg in, and pull it up over your leg a bit at a time, keeping the zipper in the back. Grab large bunches of the suit and pull a bit at a time, being careful not to snag it with your fingernails, since the fabric can cut or rip rather easily if abused. Repeat the process with the other leg until the suit is around your waist. Grab the suit firmly around the waist and pull up until you've eliminated any wrinkles in the legs.

    • 4

      Insert an arm into a sleeve, and push through, until you have the sleeve pulled taut. Repeat the process with the other arm. Now you need to zip the suit. There will be a cord on the zipper in the back, so it's possible to do it yourself--it's easier just to ask someone else to do it, though. When the zipper is all the way up, push the velcro-covered tab that cover the zipper down so it hooks securely. Enjoy your swim!