There’s nothing worse than attempting to squeeze into a wet or damp wetsuit. It’s cold, uncomfortable, and difficult to pull on, making you question whether a double surf or scuba session is worth it.
Fortunately, you can eliminate this issue by investing in a wetsuit dryer. These are devices that dry your wetsuit quickly – in a matter or minutes or hours. They are usually simple devices that double as wetsuit hangers and run power from your wall socket and some can even be powered by your car.
Say goodbye to climbing into cold wet wetsuits!
The best wetsuit dryer is the Blawesome Wetsuit Dryer which uses a fan and heater to blow warm air through your wetsuit and dry it in just 20-100 minutes. It won't damage your suit and features a wide hanger to protect the shoulders of your suit.
For a cheaper version the Underwater Kinetics HangAir Hanger has a built it fan. There is no heating element so it won't dry your suit as quickly as the Blawesome but it'll save you some money and still dry your suit within just a couple of hours. Quick enough to have a morning surf and have your wetsuit dry in time for a late afternoon session.
In this article we'll look at the best wetsuit dryers out there. Whether you're looking to buy one for yourself or your a surf or scuba school that needs to dry wetsuits en-mass you should be able to find a good option for you.
We'll even outline some DIY wetsuit dryer options so you can dry your wetsuit faster without having to invest into an expensive product.
The Best Powered Wetsuit Dryers
Powered wetsuit dryers require a power source, as they use built-in fans to dry the suit in record time. These units tend to be a bit more expensive than unpowered wetsuit dryers, but can increase the likelihood of heading out for a second surf or scuba session (without having to squeeze into a cold, damp wetsuit).
1. Blawesome Wetsuit Dryer
Originally funded by a Kickstarter campaign, the Blawesome Wetsuit Dryer is a state-of-the-art invention that can dry heavy wetsuits within an hour! That’s quite an impressive feat and is only matched by one of the other dryers on in this list.
The design allows users to choose between natural airflow or warmed air.
The Blawesome will increase the ambient temperature by approximately 15ºC/27ºF and uses 1,000 Watts of power. So when you're at home and it's the middle of winter using the warmed air is going to be the best option for drying your wetsuit fast.
The Blawesome can also run off your 12V car power however it'll just run the fan only mode (this uses just 50 Watts of power). This makes it perfect for use on the go. You can even partially or fully dry your wetsuit before getting back into the car (or whilst driving home).
On warm summer days the fan only option is ideal and you don't want the air running through your suit to be too hot.
A three-millimeter thick wetsuit dries within twenty minutes if the ambient air temperature is at around 85ºF (30ºC). If the ambient air temperature is cooler, around 45ºF (7ºC), it still only takes only an hour to fully dry a 3mm suit.
Thicker suits (6 mm or more) take between 60-100 minutes, depending on the air temperature.
But seriously…to dry a 6mm suit in under 2 hours in the depths of winter?! That's a pretty impressive feat and will make getting ready for that next ice dive SO MUCH MORE pleasant. Well worth the price tag of this product.
See the latest price of the Blawesome Wetsuit Drier at TheWetsuitDryer.com
Pros
- 360-degree airflow – The fan is powerful, with a maximum rotating speed of 2,800 RPMs. It has vents all over ensuring complete drying of your entire wetsuit.
- Heating element – The inbuilt air warmer will increase the air temperature by around 15ºC/27ºF. This will speed up the drying process but isn't so hot that it would potentially damage or shrink your wetsuit.
- Warranty – While the company boasts that the unit should last up to 10,000 hours of dry time (when taken care of), they still offer a warranty on the product. If something goes wrong due to a manufacturing error, they’ll replace the product.
Cons
- Unsuitable for children’s wetsuits – If you’re looking to dry a children’s wetsuit, this isn’t the best option. The dimensions of the device are 428 x 170 x 199 mm (16.85 x 6.69 x 7.83 inches) which can sometimes make it hard to fit in the neck and shoulders of smaller suits. Additionally, if you wear smaller sizes, this hanger may not be ideal for you.
- Not eco-friendly – Unlike some of the other wetsuit dryers on this list, the Blawesome Wetsuit Dryer does not offer recycled plastics. There have been some talks in the company about improving the product to make it more eco-friendly, but so far, there’s no word on when this could happen. It also uses 1,000 Watts of power when the heating mode is on, that's a fair amount of power so if you're using it regularly it can cost you a bit in electricity costs.
2. Underwater Kinetics HangAir Hanger with Built-in Fan
The Underwater Kinetics HangAir Hanger includes a built-in drying fan to drastically reduce dry time. With this gadget, you can dry wetsuits, turnout gear, and even heavy, protective clothing – so it’s versatile and functional.
The waterproof, low-voltage fan allows you to dry even the wettest wetsuits without worrying about ruining the fan’s internal components. Since the fan speeds up dry time, you no longer have to stress about mildew or foul odors.
This fan doesn't have a heater like the Blawesome so drying times will be longer compared to that but it is also compatible with your car's 12V power so you can use this to dry your wetsuit on the road.
See the latest price of the UK HangAir Hanger at Amazon
Pros
- High-powered Fan – The high-powered fan provides most of the “magic” that this wetsuit dryer has to offer. It sends 120 cubic feet (3.39 cubic meters) of air into and through the suit using a 100/240 VAC universal wall-mounted adapter.
- Eco-friendly – Underwater Kinetics cares about the environment, so they choose “greener” options when manufacturing most products. The Underwater Kinetics HangAir Hanger uses 100 percent recycled plastic. Every surfer or scuba diver should care about keeping plastics out of the oceans.
- Heavy-duty – Because of the solid, durable design, you don’t have to worry about the hanger breaking under the weight of your soaked wetsuit. The HangAir Hanger can support up to 100 pounds (45.3 kg) of weight without snapping.
Cons
- Faulty power supply – Some customers have complained that it’s hit or miss with the power supply. Multiple people have had to send back their faulty power adapter in exchange for a working one. Fortunately, the company is accommodating.
- Bulky – The hanger is quite large, so it’s challenging to fit smaller suits onto it without quite a bit of effort. Zipper-free suits may require even more effort to secure them on the dryer. Some users have gone so far as to cut down the hanger with a dremel.
- Noisy – The high-powered fan is the best part of this unit, so it’s natural to have some noise level. However, many reviewers complain about the sound, comparing it to the sound of a hair blow dryer on the lowest speed setting.
3. SurfLogic Powered Wetsuit Dryer
The SurfLogic Wetsuit Hanger and Dryer is a similar design to the Blawesome but with a different hanging system (it uses a carabiner) and it's a bit more expensive.
It's features a high-powered waterproof fan and an onboard heater than will warm the air before it blows it through your wetsuit. However, it's careful not to overheat the air so it won't damage your wetsuit.
It can dry wetsuits in as quick as 20-100 minutes, with faster drying times happening in warmer weather and it being a bit slower the colder and damper it is. The thickness of your wetsuit also plays a role with thicker wetsuits drying at a slower rate.
One thing I really like about this product is it has a safety feature where after 1 hour it will automatically switch itself off.
This both saves power and stops your wetsuit from potentially getting to dry and too hot which could damage the neoprene material.
The downside of this product is it only works when connect to mains power and will not work from your 12V car plug.
See the latest price of the SurfLogic Wetsuit Drier at SurfLogic.com
4. A Standing Fan (or Your Car Fan Heater)
One of the simplest and easiest ways to dry your wetsuit quickly is to use a standing fan.
Hang your wetsuit up on an indoor clothes line or on the back of a chair and point the standing fan directly at your wetsuit.
For best results you'll want to use the highest setting and if you have multiple wetsuits to dry set the standing fan to rotate so it blows air across all of them.
The airflow speeds up the drying process and because the fan doesn't generate heat it won't damage your wetsuit. The downside of this technique is that it can be a bit slower than the dedicated wetsuit dryers.
You'd still want to expect a few hours for your wetsuit to dry in front of the fan or it may even need overnight in cooler climates or with thicker suits.
Turn your wetsuit inside out half way through drying to ensure both the outside and inside dry and squeeze out the ankles and wrists ever so often as gravity tends to cause water to pool in these areas.
You can also use the same idea by hanging your wetsuit over your passenger seat in your car and blowing the car's heater at your wetsuit.
5. A Boot Dryer
Boot driers can be a great way to dry your wetsuits without having to invest into an expensive wetsuit dryer. I often recommend these are the best way to dry wetsuit gloves or to dry wetsuit boots.
Ideally you want to pick a boot dryer that has a no-heat setting so that the dryer doesn't melt or damager the neoprene of the wetsuit. The DryGuy DX Forced Air Boot and Garment Dryer on Amazon has plenty of heating posts for drying multiple wetsuits and it has a no-heat setting.
To dry your wetsuit using a boot dryer the best method is to hang your wetsuit up on a wetsuit hanger and then place the ankles over the boot dryer outlets.
This will blow air up and into your wetsuit drying it.
You can also use them without hanging up the wetsuit but it'll take longer as air won't circulated as well and I highly recommend you ring out the wetsuit to remove excess water before placing it on the boot dryer.
See the latest price of the DryGuy DX Forced Air Boot and Garment Dryer at Amazon
6. A Dryer (Yes You Can Use a Dryer)
Despite what everyone might tell you you can actually put your wetsuit in a tumble dryer.
It's not something you should do regularly as it can lower the overall lifespan of your wetsuit but if you need to dry it quickly it can be a great option.
Just make sure you use the dryer on cold or warm air only (not hot) and pull the wetsuit out before it gets bone dry. You want it to still be a tiny bit damp when you pull it out.
7. Your Ceiling Fan
If you don't have a standing fan to direct onto your wetsuit but one of the rooms in your house has a ceiling fan then you can use this to dry your wetsuit faster.
Hang the wetsuit on an indoor clothes line or over the back of a chair and place in the room and turn the ceiling fan onto it's highest setting.
The wind from the ceiling fan will dry the wetsuit faster.
If you're doing this in winter I suggest doing it in a room you won't actually be in and shut the door. Otherwise you'll be freezing while you wait for your wetsuit to dry.
8. A Heater
You've got to be careful with this one as if you put your wetsuit too close to your heater it can melt or damage the neoprene but done correctly it can speed up the drying process significantly.
Hang your wetsuit on an inside clothes line or the back of a chair and place it front of your heater. Just make sure you place it far enough away that it isn't took hot.
You could also place the wetsuit on the floor in front of the heater which can sometimes stop it getting as hot.
Fan heaters are great here as the warm air will dry your wetsuit faster than a heater that doesn't produce wind.
Make sure to check and rotate your wetsuit regularly so all areas dry evenly and no melting happens.
Once your wetsuit is nearly completely dry I would advise moving it away from the heater as this is when it's more likely to melt or shrink.
9. A Hair Dryer
You know what they say, desperate times call for desperate measures and if you're desperate then a hair drier can actually do an ok job for drying your wetsuit. Just be prepared to put in some manual labor to make this work.
First thoroughly squeeze out your wetsuit and then you can point the hairdryer in either the ankle or wrist holes of your wetsuit to dry out that section. You can also poke it through the neck section too.
I'd personally not let the hairdryer touch the wet wetsuit and would keep it an inch or so away from the opening. Hair dryers and water aren't really a good combination…or so I hear.
You will also probably want to run the hair dryer on fan only or the low heat option as too much heat can damage your wetsuit.
10. An Iron
Again, desperate times call for desperate measures.
If you're short on time and don't have one of the powered wetsuit dryers mentioned above you can use an iron to remove some of the water in your wetsuit. However, this should be done with EXTREME CAUTION.
I wrote all about this in my guide on ironing neoprene but you want to make sure you use your iron on it's lowest setting, have a towel between the iron and your wetsuit and move the iron constantly so no one area absorbs too much heat at a time.
Try one a small area first to make sure no damage is done to your suit and really only use this technique if you REALLY MUST. It's just too easy to make a mistake and melt your wetsuit extremely quickly.
The Best Unpowered Wetsuit Dryers
Unpowered wetsuit dryers are essentially just hangers — but not like your standard, everyday clothes hanger.
Wetsuit hangers are designed with wetsuits in mind, meaning that they have wide shoulders to support the heavy weight of the wetsuit when it's wet without stretching the shoulders. They also feature wide neck openings to encourage air into the wetsuit allowing it to dry faster.
I've create a list of the best wetsuit hanger on the market but below are 2 of the best non-powered wetsuit dryers/hangers.
11. Bully Wetsuit Washer
The Bully Wetsuit Washer combines a wetsuit hanger with a wetsuit washer. It's one of the best ways to wash your wetsuit quickly.
The hanger features water outlets that rinse your wetsuit from both the outside and the inside. It connects directly up to your garden hose and you just need to turn it on to completely wash the salt water off your wetsuit.
The irrigation system removes ocean salt, sand, and any other contaminants, and it’s very easy to use.
Just hang the wetsuit onto the hanger, attach the hanger in your shower (or outside), connect the nozzle to a hose or showerhead, and turn it on. It takes only 45 seconds to rinse a wetsuit (inside and out).
But it's more than just a way to rinse your wetsuit — the hanger doubles as an unpowered dryer.
To dry your wetsuit, you simply have to hang the suit up to dry. The wide shoulders support your wetsuit when wet stopping your wetsuit from stretching and it keeps the neck of the wetsuit open for optimal air flow and faster drying.
A really unique and innovative product that I absolutely love.
See the latest price of the Bully Wetsuit Washer and Drier at Amazon
Pros
- Durable – This device can hold heavy, saturated gear without cracking, and the 90-degree rotating hook provides more versatility when choosing where to hang the suit to dry.
- Saves water – The device is eco-friendly because it reduces the amount of water you would use with the standard barrel or bucket method to wash your wetsuit. Additionally, it is made with recycled plastics and UV-resistant components.
- Two-in-one – Because it’s a washing and drying hanger, you can easily rinse and dry your suit without much effort on your part.
Cons
- Potentially susceptible to mold – The sprayer of the wetsuit dryer is a closed unit, meaning that you can’t open it up to clean it out, nor can you add detergents to prevent the growth of mold or mildew.
- Quite heavy – While the manufacturer claims that the hanger is easy to travel with, it’s quite a heavy unit, weighing over three pounds (over 1.36 kg). Keep that in mind if choosing to bring the hanger with you in a carry-on bag.
12. Ho Stevie! Wetsuit Hanger
This wetsuit hanger is a must-have for those who regularly travel to enjoy surfing or scuba-diving experiences in other parts of the world. Users can fold the hanger down to fit in a suitcase, making travel a breeze.
The broad arms allow the hanger to support the shoulders of the wetsuit, preventing creases or the chance of tearing.
The top hook is able to swivel 360º so you can hang your wetsuit in any direction and air vents in the arms of the hanger both allow for air ventilation for quicker drying and they cut down on weight.
See the latest price of the Ho Stevie Wetsuit Hanger at Amazon
Pros
- Foldable lightweight design – This hanger is foldable and lightweight making it the perfect traveling wetsuit hanger and dryer.
- Swivel hook – The rotating hook provides more versatility for hanging the dryer from a door, fence, or shower curtain rod.
- Smooth design – The smooth design means no sharp or angular edges that could “catch” or tear your delicate neoprene wetsuit.
Cons
- Not powered – Unlike other wetsuit dryers mentioned above this hanger contains no fans or heaters
How To Dry a Wetsuit Fast
While the wetsuit dryers mentioned above reduce the dry time for your gear, sometimes you want to speed up the process a little more. Since neoprene is a delicate material, you shouldn’t leave the suit in direct sunlight and in most circumstances you shouldn't use a clothes dryer to dry it.
With that said, there are some steps you can take to reduce dry time, in addition to using your wetsuit dryer.
- Rinse the wetsuit. To protect your wetsuit from harsh ocean salts and abrasive sand, it’s recommended to rinse the suit with freshwater after every use. Some people use a bucket and water, but others rinse their wetsuits in the shower. If needed, you can use a wetsuit cleaner as well. Rinse both the inside and outside.
- Dry it with a towel first. Turn the suit inside out and wrap it in a large, soft, clean towel. Using a firm grip, squeeze any excess water out of the suit and onto the towel. Repeat this process with a new towel if the wetsuit remains saturated.
- Place the wetsuit on a wetsuit hanger. Choose one of the wetsuit hangers on this list, or opt for one you already own. Wetsuit hangers are a must, since they don’t leave creases or tears in the material. Additionally, they’re designed to support the weight of a wetsuit.
- Hang it in a well-ventilated area. Hang the wetsuit hanger outdoors, if possible. Keep it in a shaded area, such as under a tree or awning. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent ruining the wetsuit material. If you’re unable to dry the wetsuit outside, you can place it in the shower to dry. Set up a fan to provide extra ventilation.
- Continue squeezing out excess water. As time passes, gravity pulls water down to the lowest parts of the suit. You can speed things up further by squeezing water from the legs and arms of the suit every thirty minutes. Start at the top of the shoulder and squeeze with a balled fist down the arms’ length. Repeat for the legs, starting at the thigh and moving down to the ankle.
- Stay patient. After a couple of hours of squeezing out the excess water, you’ll notice that there’s hardly any left to squeeze out — but the suit remains damp. At this point, you’ll just need to be patient and allow the wetsuit to dry. If you’re drying a thick wetsuit (4+ mm), turn it inside out every hour.
By following these simple steps, a wetsuit should dry within enough time to go out for a second session. If you use a powered wetsuit dryer in addition to these tips, you may be able to make it out for three sessions in a day.
Final Thoughts
Wetsuits protect our bodies from harmful UV-rays, abrasive sand, and cold ocean waters. As such, it’s important that we protect our wetsuits.
One way to do this is by rinsing your wetsuit after every use and investing in a wetsuit dryer.
This not only allows you to attend multiple surfing or scuba sessions, but it prevents your wetsuit from growing mold or mildew as a result of being left wet for too long.
