How To Avoid Fingernail Tears In Your Wetsuit
A little-known secret to avoiding a wetsuit tear.
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Avoid a dreaded fingernail tear with this trick from Jay Weber of XTERRA Wetsuits: “There is a little-known secret to avoiding a wetsuit tear, which starts by having it inside out,” he explains. “With the rubber on the inside, and the neoprene sponge on the outside, you’ll be able to roll the suit on.”
1. With the suit inside out, ensure that you are looking at the chest, not the back zipper, as you hold it up.
2. Lay the suit on the ground in front of you and insert your feet through each opening. Begin to tug the suit up over your lower legs, working evenly and alternatively from leg to leg.
3. Once you have the suit up and over your chest, do one arm at a time in the same manner (with it inside out). This will avoid putting undue stress on the suit and ensure that the outside rubber coating keeps from getting fingernail tears.