How to Care for Dry Suits, Dry Wear and Splash Wear

With proper care and maintenance, your NRS dry wear will provide years of protection and enjoyment. Follow the instructions and recommendations below to ensure the best performance and longevity for your gear.

Safety Considerations

Before you hit the water, it’s a good idea to get familiar with how dry wear and splash wear work so you can paddle confidently, safely and responsibly.

• Dry suits and dry wear create a waterproof, windproof, breathable barrier between you and the elements, using gaskets at the neck, wrists and sometimes the ankles to seal out water. However, dry wear does not inherently keep you warm; you’ll want to wear breathable, moisture-wicking base layers underneath to provide warmth. Be prepared to adjust your base layer system as temperatures fluctuate.
• Gaskets are designed to keep water out. If worn or damaged, they will no longer work effectively. They can be maintained and kept supple with silicone grease and should be stored properly when not in use. Gaskets that show dry rotting, cracks or tears must be replaced.
• Burp the suit: Removing excess air from within your dry suit will give a more streamlined, comfortable fit. To burp a dry suit, be sure all zippers are fully closed. Hold the neck gasket open so air can escape, then squat down and allow the excess air to exit through the open neck gasket. Periodically burp your dry suit throughout the day.
• Splash wear is similar to dry wear, but does not use gaskets to seal out water like dry wear does. Instead, splash wear typically features hook-and-loop closures and other materials at the neck, wrists and ankles to keep water out. Splash wear works best on the water but is not intended for submersion.

Gasket Care

Because gaskets are crucial in keeping water out of your suit, proper maintenance and care is essential for longevity and performance. Here are some best practices.

• New latex gaskets may not be comfortable initially, but they will stretch over time. You can speed up the stretching process by placing something slightly larger than your neck, wrist or ankle in the gasket and leaving it overnight (or longer, if necessary).
• If stretching the gasket didn’t improve the fit, consider trimming it. Use sharp scissors and trim small pieces at a time. For a neck gasket, look for guidelines inside the gasket to help you guide scissors around the circumference for a clean cut. Be sure to start small and go back to the stretching step if you need to. Taking away too much material could lead to leaking gaskets. Note: An improper gasket trim is not covered under warranty. Be sure to ask your local retailer or contact NRS for advice.
• Sunscreen, insect repellant and other chemicals can damage latex. Clean gaskets after each use and regularly apply silicone grease or spray to moisturize.
• Be careful of rings, earrings, watches and other sharp objects when donning and removing your dry wear.
• Do not force your body, especially your head, through the gaskets. Gently stretch them open as you put on and take off the garment.
• Even with the best of care, gaskets will eventually break down and need to be replaced. We offer do-it-yourself replacement kits, plus complete video and written instructions. Replacing your own gaskets isn’t hard and is a valuable boater skill. Our experienced repairs crew can also replace gaskets at a reasonable cost.
• Dry wear gaskets are not covered under our warranty.

Hook-and-Loop Closure Care

Over time, hook-and-loop closures will naturally start to wear, therefore it’s best to keep them closed when not in use. Exposed hook-and-loop material can also collect debris and be abrasive to other gear nearby.

Zipper Care

Proper care for dry suit, dry wear, and wetsuit zippers will help prolong the useful life of your paddling and boating technical outerwear. These tips and techniques will ensure maximum dryness and extend the lifespan of your dry zippers.

• Avoid bending or crimping a dry zipper. A broken zipper cannot be repaired, and replacing one is very expensive.
• When closing a zipper, line up the two halves and slide the zipper car with a smooth, steady motion. If you have difficulty, stop and determine the cause. You may need to ask for help.
• To ensure maximum and long-lasting dryness, lubricate the zippers often. See below for further details.
• Never force a zipper. When having difficulty, inspect the zipper, clean out any obstructions and lubricate the zipper teeth. Closing a zipper over a piece of debris can ruin the zipper.
• When storing dry suits for an extended period, close all plastic zippers fully. Dry suits with metal zippers should be stored with their zippers open.
• Clean and lubricate your zippers. They’re an advanced, technical piece of gear that must be cleaned and lubricated regularly to maintain ideal performance. If zippers appear to be dirty, clean with warm, fresh water.

Cleaning Your Dry Wear Zipper

We recommend the following products to keep your dry wear zippers working optimally.

Gear Aid Zipper Cleaner and Lubricant cleans and lubricates nylon and metal zippers.

• Before applying, unzip garment and clean zippers with the applicator brush.
• Open cap and brush generous amounts of lubricant onto zipper teeth.
• Re-apply regularly, especially before long storage periods.
• Close cap and rinse brush after use.
• Apply Zipper Lubricant Stick when finished for further protection.

Gear Aid Zipper Lubricant Stick lubricates and protects nylon and metal zippers.

• Rub lubricant up and down zipper teeth.
• Work zipper to fully lubricate entire mechanism.
• Re-apply regularly.
• Store product in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.

Gear Aid Silicone Grease Lubricant permeates the surface of materials to prevent oxidation, extend the life of zippers and ensure maximum dryness.

• Squeeze a small amount along the length of the zipper.
• Using your finger, spread the grease along the zipper.
• Run the zipper back and forth a few times to distribute the lubricant.

Dry Wear Transportation

A great deal of damage to paddlesports gear, including dry wear, occurs during transport. Here are some best practices for keeping your dry wear safe when you’re on the go.

• Keep garments out of direct sun, and avoid leaving them in closed, hot vehicles. Sun damages gaskets and heat can affect seam taping.
• Special care must be taken when transporting your dry suit to avoid damaging the zippers. Fold or roll the suit so the zippers are not bent or kinked. Ensure that no heavy objects are placed on top of the rolled suit.

Dry Wear Cleaning

To prolong the life of your dry wear, it’s a good idea to give it a rinse with fresh water after use.

• Clean your garment’s face fabric once it’s become soiled. A light hand wash in the shower or with a hose goes a long way. Note: Salt water and smoke are especially hard on dry wear fabrics. If your garment comes into contact with either, it’s imperative that you thoroughly rinse it with fresh water.
• If more thorough cleaning is needed, use a product that is designed for technical outerwear garments. We recommend products like ReviveX Synthetic Fabric Cleaner or Nikwax Tech Wash. Closely follow cleaner directions.
• Do not use liquid laundry detergents, bleach or harsh chemicals on garments.
• Hand wash and rinse. Low-heat activates DWR properties; tumble dry on low-heat settings only.

Restoring Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

DWR is a treatment applied to the face fabric of technical outerwear. It stops water from soaking into the fibers of the face fabric. When properly maintained, DWR reduces surface tension and causes water to bead up and roll off.

To get the best long-term performance from your dry wear, we recommend reading How to Care for DWR on Paddling Apparel for proper DWR care and maintenance guidance.

Dry Wear Storage

How you store your dry wear plays an important role in its performance and longevity. Proper storage helps prevent unnecessary wear and accidental damage, ensuring your gear stays in good shape.

• Air dry garments as soon as possible by allowing them to hang free or lie flat on an open surface.
• Store them out of direct sunlight in cool, dry conditions.
• For extended periods, keep plastic zippers closed and metal zippers open during storage.
• Do not store them in rooms with combustion sources, such as a furnace room; they can generate ozone, which damages latex.
• Treat gaskets with silicone grease or spray before storage.
• Hang or loosely roll garments.
• Avoid high heat and humidity.

Care & Maintenance for GORE-TEX Pro Dry Wear

GORE-TEX Pro is the most rugged and high performing of waterprooof GORE-TEX material offerings, and the most appropriate for paddlesports use. It is waterproof, breathable, windproof and abrasion resistant. GORE-TEX products are built to last, giving users great longevity in their investment. However, like any piece of technical gear, care and maintenance is necessary for peak performance as well extending the life of the garment.