I always come back from a salty week windsurfing in Lanzarote with one priority: keep my travel wetsuit in one piece. Salt, sand and sun are the triple threat — they stiffen seals, clog zips and weaken glued seams if you don’t treat the suit carefully. Over the years I’ve learned practical, travel-friendly routines that get a wetsuit clean, dry and repair-ready without risking seals or zips. Here’s the exact process I follow after a week of sessions at Famara or El Río.
First step on the beach: a quick shake and rinse
Before anything else, I shake the suit well to get rid of sand and shells. I always do this while still at the spot so I don’t drag grit into my car or rental flat.
If there is fresh water nearby, I give the suit a fast rinse inside and out to remove the heaviest salt crystals. If not, I use bottled water from my day bag. The key is to remove as much salt as possible before it dries — dried salt is abrasive and pulls at seals and seams.
At the accommodation: the proper wash
I treat my travel wetsuit like delicate kit. Here’s my go-to washing routine that fits small flats and hostels:
Important: never use household detergents, bleach or fabric softener. They break down neoprene and glue, and will make seals brittle.
Zip and seal care while wet
Zips and seals are the parts that often fail first. Here’s what I do immediately after washing:
How I dry a travel wetsuit without wrecking it
Drying correctly is where most people make mistakes. Direct sun, heaters or tumble dryers might speed things up but they’ll ruin seals and zips.
Minor repairs you can do on the road
For travel I carry a compact repair kit: Aquaseal tube, neoprene cement, a patch of thin neoprene or nylon-backed patch, needle and heavy polyester thread, and a spare zip pull. These simple items fix 90% of problems.
Products I recommend (compact comparison)
| Use | Product | Why I like it |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaner | McNett Revivex Wetsuit Shampoo | Mild, removes salt and oils, available in travel sizes |
| Zip Care | McNett Zip Care / Silicone lube | Protects slider, easy to carry |
| Repair | Aquaseal / Neoprene Cement | Flexible, strong bond for tears and seam repairs |
How to store your wetsuit between trips
Short-term: hang on a wide hanger in a cool, dark place. Long-term: roll the suit loosely (zippered and smooth) and store in a breathable bag or a drawer. Avoid folding sharply — repeated creases weaken neoprene.
If you’re travelling and need to pack it: turn the suit inside-out and fold gently along natural seams. Place it inside a dry bag or compression sack with soft clothing to avoid sharp creases. Don’t compress it for months — only for transport between sessions.
Other travel tips I use
With a small kit and a little patience, you can keep a travel wetsuit functioning for seasons of windsurfing around Lanzarote. Salt isn’t kind, but a consistent routine protects seals, zips and seams so your next session doesn’t start with a frustrating repair job.
