What To Use for Wetsuit Lubrication? (Get Your Wetsuit On Easier)

For a wetsuit to work well you want it to fit tight and snug. However, this can sometimes make it extremely difficult to get on. What do you do when you're struggling to get your wetsuit on?—use a lubricant! There are several wetsuit lubricants on the market that you can purchase. However, there are many at-home solutions too.

Body Glide and Trislide are some of the most popular options for wetsuit lubrication. However, if you run out of these products or want a cheaper solution, you can use hair conditioner, cooking spray, vegetable oil, or even a plastic bag to help get your wetsuit on easier.

A lubricant helps you get your wetsuit on and off quickly, and it can prevent you from damaging your wetsuit during the dressing process. It also means you can wear a wetsuit that fits properly, not a wetsuit that is too big (which will in turn let in more cold water making you colder).

If you want to stay warm in your wetsuit then it's important it fits properly but using a lubricant can also help eliminate chafing on specific body parts.

Keep reading to discover the best products to use to lubricate your wetsuit.

Specific Wetsuit Lubrication Products

You're not the first person to struggle putting on their wetsuit and it just so happens that there are quite a few wetsuit lubrication products on the market that you can use to get your wetsuit on easier.

These products are designed with wetsuits and neoprene in mind so they shouldn't damage your wetsuit (which can cause your wetsuit to stretch which you don't want). Below are some of my top recommendations for wetsuit lubricants.

TriSlide

Trislide remains a leading product in anti-chafing spray. This TRISLIDE Anti-Chafe Continuous Spray Skin Lubricant (available at Amazon) provides chafing and blistering protection for those wearing wetsuits.

Its convenient eco-friendly spray bottle allows you to safely and easily share it with a partner, plus it won’t stain your clothes.

You can apply the spray just to the areas that need it most for getting into your wetsuit (eg. your shins, ankles, arms etc) or you can just use the spray on areas where you tend to chafe the easiest (eg. neck).

A really convenient and great product. I highly recommend this wetsuit lubricant.

See the latest price of TriSlide Anti-Chafe Wetsuit Lubricant at Amazon

Body Glide

Body Glide is an excellent anti-chafing balm preferred by many swimmers. This Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm (available at Amazon) is non greasy and glides easily over your wrists, ankles, chest, thighs, and other areas where chafing might occur.

It’s vegan, allergen-free, and made from plant-derived ingredients. 

See the latest price Body Glide Balm of at Amazon

Shark Snot

For an eco-friendly option, try Shark Snot Wetsuit Lubricant (available at Amazon).

This lubricant is made from seaweed and is 100% biodegradable. It’s made from natural products that won’t harm the ocean or your skin, and it’s petroleum and oil-free. 

For the person concerned about the effect their wetsuit lubricant has on the ocean habitats they are swimming in this is going to be the best option for you.

See the latest price of Shark Snot Wetsuit Lubricant at Amazon

Gear Aid

Not only does Gear Aid help you get into your wetsuit easier by providing lubrication but it can also protect your wetsuit from the elements and help it to last longer than it otherwise would.

It comes in a spray bottle making application simple, easy and hygienic. The food-grade silicone is safe to use on your skin and will keep your wetsuit and neoprene supple and soft so it continues to fit well and feel great.

See the latest price of Gear Air Wetsuit Lubricant at Amazon

At-Home Wetsuit Lubrication Solutions

If you regularly need to lubricate your wetsuit then I do suggest one of the wetsuit lubricants previously mentioned.

However, there are many household products you can use to lubricate your wetsuit.

These products are great if you run out of traditional wetsuit lubricant or want to save some cash. Check out some of these products you can use to lubricate the wetsuit — you may already have some of them at your house.

Hair Conditioner

One of the most popular household solutions for lubrication is hair conditioner. Use a quarter-size amount and mix it with about a liter of water for the best results. 

The conditioner helps the wetsuit glide easily on your body and reduces chafing.

It’s a great inexpensive solution to other pricier lubricants. Conditioner is plentiful, and you can find it at just about any supermarket or grocery store. 

Plastic Bag

A regular plastic grocery bag can work wonders when trying to get your wetsuit on. It’s a similar, although much more inexpensive, version to Wetsox, which are frictionless neoprene socks that help you slide into your wetsuit much easier.

To use, slide the bag over your feet before you step into your wetsuit. The plastic will help the suite glide smoothly over your body, and will help get your whole wetsuit over your foot. 

Plastic bags are also effective if you’re putting on a damp or wet wetsuit. Slide the bags over your feet or hands before you attempt to get in the wetsuit. The plastic will help reduce the friction between your skin and the damp neoprene of the wetsuit. 

Cooking Spray

You can also use cooking spray as a lubricant to assist you in getting in and out of your wetsuit. The oil in the spray will help your suit glide easily over your skin.

The type of cooking spray doesn’t matter. You can use canola oil, coconut oil, baking spray, butter spray, and so on. Use whatever you have on hand to lubricate your skin so that it’s easier for you to slide in and out of your wetsuit.

Vegetable Oil

Similar to cooking spray, vegetable oil is another excellent at-home solution for lubricating your wetsuit. The oil acts as a barrier between your skin and the neoprene. And because of its slick nature, the wetsuit glides easily over the oil. 

Squeeze a small amount of vegetable oil into the palm of your hand and rub it all over your body before you put on your wetsuit. You might feel slick, but your wetsuit will go on without a problem!

Baby Oil

If you don’t want to use cooking products on your skin, baby oil is another skin-safe solution, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Oil is a natural lubricant, and baby oil is soft enough to use on your skin without causing irritation. 

Additionally, baby oil can help reduce chafing where it naturally occurs. Use a small amount and apply it on your wrists and ankles; places where chafing is more likely to occur. Then, slide on your wetsuit to discover the difference. 

Please note: Baby oil is a petroleum based product and can potentially wear down the rubber in your wetsuit so I wouldn't personally use it often. Or use it know that it may shorten the lifespan of your wetsuit but save you from chafing and that's worth the cost.

Baby oil is also plentiful and another inexpensive solution to traditional lubricant products.

Silicone Gel

Silicone gels are another effective solution for wetsuit lubricants, plus they’re excellent at preventing skin chafing. However, silicone gels tend to be a bit pricier than the other household products.

Common Products You Shouldn’t Use for Wetsuit Lubrication

Try to avoid using the following products as wetsuit lubricants.

  • Shampoo: Using shampoo as a lubricant for your wetsuit tends to cause itchiness and rashes. It’s best to avoid using this product.
  • Body Soap: Soap is designed to strip oils from your body. Therefore, it’s not a good solution to use as a lubricant. Besides, using body soap will cause your skin to chaff, and you might have a rash afterward.
  • Dish Soap: Dish soap is similar to body soap in that it strips the dirt and oils from your skin. Although it may feel smooth to the touch, dish soap isn’t an effective lubricant for your wetsuit. Using dish soap will also lead to itching and rashes once you leave the water.
  • Petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline or petroleum jelly: The petroleum will erode the rubber in your wetsuit.
  • Detergent: Detergent acts similarly to soap and will cause skin irritation and rashes when used as a lubricant.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to wetsuit lubrication, you have several options to choose from. Plastic bags are an easy trick that will help you easily slide your suit on. Also, there are many wetsuit lubricants available for you to purchase. 

If you’re in a bind, try using common household products such as hair conditioner or baby oil to lubricate your wetsuit. However, avoid using petroleum-based products, soaps, and detergents as a lubricant.