Suggestions on suiting up?

  • My new suit was delivered today. It's only the second wetsuit I've ever owned, and my first 2-piece. It fits like it was tailored just for me, and boy am I relieved. Anyway, I'm wondering what suggestions you folks might have as far as a lubricant for suiting up with. It's an open-cell model, so of course it's a real bear to get on dry. Are the commercial products such as Suit Juice the best route to go, or is there something else just as/more effective. I'd like to hear everyone's suggestions for what they feel is best. I thought cabin fever was setting in before, but now I'm dying to get in the water and try it out! Thanks a lot!

  • When it's new you can get away with just a salt water dip before you pull it on. I always splash my bod with water before I suit up. If I'm jumping on a spot in blue water I stick the deck hose in my hood to pre soak in case
    there is a need for quick deep bubble free dive. When my suit starts sticking I use 50/50 conditioner and water I steal from my chick.


    Cheers, Don Paul

    "Great mother ocean brought forth all life, it is my eternal home'' Don Berry from Blue Water Hunters.


    Spearfishing Store the freediving and spearfishing equipment specialists.

    Edited once, last by Don Paul ().

  • Never put an open cell wetsuit on dry, it's not difficult, if the suit fits you properly it's impossible.


    Just water can do it, but with the softer more flexible materials now on the market if you don't take good care you can accidentally damage it, all it takes is one long fingernail and a stronger than normal pull. Putting it on in the water I don't know about.


    I use a spray bottle of water with unscented conditioner http://spearfishing.world/wets…-putting-on-wetsuits.html I do the suit only not myself and I spray liberally. If the suit is too slippery I dunk it once in the sea to get some of the conditioner off, I don't like the slippery feeling.

  • 13bpower---I do not know what others use, but in my limited open cell suit experience in the last month or so, "Johnsons no more tangles shampoo and conditioner" has worked great for me. I went to Publix (grocery store), picked out a 12oz spray bottle that looked rugged and the shape I wanted, filled the sprayer with tap water and about 15ml of the Johnsons and have never looked back since. The Johnsons is very slippery and cheap and long lasting and compatable with my suit and skin.
    In our Miami climate, I take my suit bottoms on the cloths hanger inside out, go to the shower and spray it down inside the shower. Then I turn it right side out and step into the suit just outside of the shower. (inside the shower is very slippery from the spraying). When I get to the beach I take the suit top out of a plastic bag and spray it down with the Johnsons, turn it right side out and put it back into the bag and put the bag in my yak until I get out to the dive site. Once to the dive site I take the top out of the bag and slip it on while sitting in the yak. Easy and the yak is not all slippery.
    Hope this helps

    SPEARFISHING and RECREATIONAL FISHING NEEDS THE NRA
    Spearfishing Store

    Edited once, last by hau ().

  • How about the new Riffe suits?, They say there´s no need to lubrify them


    If there's no need to lubrify them, they won't stick to your skin properly and will not do the job they're supposed to. Additionally, the suit will be "moving" against your skin during the whole dive.


    I have a simpler way to wear my wetsuit: I always have in my diving bag a bottle with 50-50% water and hair conditioner and/or skin moisturizer (whatever leftover I fond at home). Before wearing my wetsuit, I soak it in the sea and put some of the "mixture" behind my knees, in my underarms, elbows, and all the "high wear" areas of my body. It slips very good and never had a problem.


    Even if it not as nice as spraying the inside of the wetsuit, os more practical to me and works well. I don't like to carry that big sprayer in my bag, but I have to recognize that the spray thing works better.

    Marco Melis

    A bad day fishing is ALWAYS better than a good day at work.

  • monster slayer---I just bought 2 RealSea Marine Camo suits that uses the same titanium inside lining as the new Riffe suits. I just did a comparison write up in the "our wetsuits" thread.
    The RealSea suit with the titanium lining came in second to Dan's new suits IMO.
    I have 2 RealSea Marine camo suits, 2pc., 3mm, for sale if anyone is interested. I am 5' 10" and 175lbs:rolleyes1:

  • Thanks a lot everyone. It sounds like everybody just uses normal hair conditioner mixed with water then, huh? I don't suppose any one kind works better than another, but is there a certain mix ratio that works best?

  • do yall use the mixture in the suit after getting the suit wet or rub it on your body before suiting up?


    I do it the ghetto way... Squirt some conditioner in suit, pour some water in, then shake like hell! :)


    To further clarify, I shake the suit. I don't stand there in the parking lot dancing around. Well... sometimes, but that's besides the point. :crazy:

  • I do it the ghetto way... Squirt some conditioner in suit, pour some water in, then shake like hell! :)


    To further clarify, I shake the suit. I don't stand there in the parking lot dancing around. Well... sometimes, but that's besides the point. :crazy:


    this reminds me of Dodgeball the movie when they are wash the vehicles and the song "My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard". Haaha I definitely understand you on that.


    Do you have to do that with a one-piece suit too? I think I'm gonna get a mako blue camo 3mil soon.

  • I used mild baby shampoo on my first experience with an open cell suit, lots of bubbles but it is slick. Best part is no tears!


    I have also seen people use baby oil, conditioner, and someone once mentioned a plastic bag.

    Davie Peguero

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