Wetsuit lifespan

[Buttertoes]

Hey guys, I couldn't find this on a search so thought I'd ask. I've heard the hardcores replace their wetsuits annually but what about the average person who gets out 1 to 3 times a week? If you take care of it are you still looking at dropping hundreds of dollars every year or two?

I just placed an order for a winter suit and the thought of having 2 suits to replace on a regular basis just dawned on me as financially startling!

If a person takes good care of a suit, how long do you think it could realistically last?

[jaffa1949]

With fresh water rinsing after each surf and drying in the shade I've had some suits last over three or four years, I tend to notice that they are no longer as warm as they used to be and the seams leak more but then my water is not as cold as yours so the breakdown of the suit would be noticeable earlier.

One major cause of wear in wetsuits and rashies is sand each particle abrades the fabric, whenever I've left sand around the suit break down faster, leaving them in the sun too really speeds up the aging process X 10.

Have a good winter, we're heading to summer

[Buttertoes]

Thanks Jaffa, 3-4 years would be more acceptable than one for sure! Through our adventures I met a woman who uses a 5/4 year round. Kudos to her for being so practical, but it would seem that her suit would wear out faster and she'd be less comfortable at temperature extremes.

Too bad they're so expensive, but it's still cheaper than flying somewhere warmer

[Glide]

Jaffa is right. Sand, dirt and sun take their toll on wetsuits. Heat-the enemy of wetsuit fabric.
The wetsuit material will break down if you rinse your wetsuit in hot water. Always use cold or warm water.I have also found that hanging your wetsuit from the waist reduces overall fabric stress and of course it eliminates those shoulder puckers that eventually wear through.

Have a warm winter (or summer)
Glide

[Glide]

Also check out the wetsuit care guide posted on this site.
https://surfing-waves.com/howto/wetsuit-care.htm

[Buttertoes]

Glide, have you found your suits have had a similar lifespan as well?
I've wondered whether i should have just gone with a more economical suit since they are essentially disposable! But if a hundred dollar suit lasts a year, and a three hundred dollar suit lasts 3 and has a good fit, I guess the more expensive one is still a good deal...

We will see how warm the winter is, I haven't winter-surfed before! I have a 6/5/4 coming in that should make the 2 degree February water tolerable We will see!

[Glide]

3 years is common life span with good care. I do believe you get what you pay for in a wetsuit. Wetsuits are one of our tools. It's disposable like other tools of trade. I have been surfing and diving long enough to remember what it was like with NO WETSUITS. Thank you Jack!
Have fun in that 2 degree water.
Glide

[Glide]

One more thing about how long a wetsuit will last. It does depend on how much use it gets. When I surfed almost every day i would get two seasons max for the 3/2 or 4/3. Now I only surf 2 or 3 times a week. My wetsuits last longer.
Glide

[jaffa1949]

OH one more thing not so nice. Urinating in your wetsuit is a temporary warmer but rots the crotch out, and really adds to the wetsuit odour

[Buttertoes]

Without a wetsuit the season around here would be pretty darn short. Warm water people are pretty lucky. I've heard the coldwater winter surfers often drive home in their suits rather than change on the beach to avoid the cold wind on wet skin!

I'm sure chances of resale of a used suit go up when you can claim 'never peed in'