Wednesday 22 October 2014

When in doubt... use more lube!!!!

Lube. Critical to getting into an open-cell wetsuit easily and without damaging it.

I also use lube when getting into an internally nylon-lined suit as well, to make sure it gets a good / proper seating and is comfortable.

There are commercial wetsuit lube products available, but don't overcomplicate things.  Save your $$$.

I buy the cheapest hair conditioner (cream rinse) that I can find at the dollar store that I can stand the smell of.  I then put it in a bottle at approx 1:4 ratio (20% conditioner) and water.

Some people use a typical water bottle and swish it around in the suit before donning.

I previously used a typical spray bottle and spray the inside of the suit and sleeves down... then spray myself before slipping into the suit.  The problem is that these thin bottles would eventually crack and spill the lube when I needed it most... not to mention the mess it would make.

I have recently found the BEST wetsuit lube solution: a pump-action, pressurized, trigger-action spray bottle!


It is super robust, the spray can be adjusted from a steady stream to a very fine mist (and can really use the lube sparingly) and it holds a ton of lube (about 1L)!

This capacity is important, because when your dive buddies see it... they will all ask to use it.  

It cost me $3.50 at the same dollar store where I buy my 1L bottles of $2 conditioner.  :D