C-Forum

Might be a silly question, but is there a specific way I should be storing my drysuit? I was just thinking of when you store a tent, you want to stuff it (or store it loose) not fold it because the repeated creasing will wear those spots faster. I just have it on a hanger right now. But that might not be the best for the neck gasket?

Dave

I stuff mine in dry bad and throw it in the closet, my last suit lasted 10 years so I would say that this works

Perfect.

Just making sure. I want to treat it well so it lasts!

Dave

I treat all the zippers and gaskets with 303 and leave all the zippers open

So long as you don't bend the zippers, don't leave it near solvent fumes, and have the zippers either open (brass zips) or closed (plastic TI-Zips) as appropriate; there's practically nothing you can do to harm the suit during storage.

I hang mine on a hanger through the crotch zip in the closet.

Store it with zippers open to prolong the seals. Otherwise as long as it's dry when you put it away.

I have been told that exposure to atmospheric ozone contributes to breakdown of the latex gaskets and that can be minimized by washing the suit and when dry double bagging it in a pair of plastic trash bags with as much air expelled as possible during the warm season.

Get the zip tech sipper lubricant for the zipper and use it every few trips or so, it will help the zipper last and prevent the zipper from tearing. Also once you let the outside of the suit dry fold it inside out to allow the seam tape to dry. I've been told in the past that seam tape will delaminate more quickly if it stays wet for long periods of time.

I found this hanger works great for storage:

http://www.hangdry.com/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paul Gunderson, owner of OS Systems Drysuits in Oregon always made me laugh. The one man that doesn't have to take care of a drysuit, does. I try to, but at times mine gets treated like Richards.
Paul is a great guy and he has learned a lot in his 30 years of making suits and seals. He has lots of information at: http://www.ossystems.com/maintenance-repair/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Anyhow, I lifted this passage from his manual.

5. Storing -
Clean the rubber seals, zippers, and fabric of your drysuit as described in the maintenance section of this OS SYSTEMS Drysuit Manual (hand wash with mild soap and water). Apply UV TECH and Zipease as indicated. (on seals and zippers)
Make sure the zippers are left in the fully open position. Make sure your drysuit is dry before closing any pockets or rolling or folding your drysuit. The best way to dry your drysuit is to hang it, right side out, in a shaded area where there is a breeze, out of the sun and away from the heat. The inside of the 210 HC fabric can just be wiped down with any clean cloth or paper towel. Your drysuit should be dry in about 5 minutes.
Lay your drysuit flat, zippers facing down, and, beginning with the toes of the DV-Boots, roll the drysuit along its back up all the way to the neck seal. Fold the drysuit arms backward over the rolled up drysuit. Secure the rolled drysuit by crossing the zipper straps and wrapping them around the rolled drysuit and buckling them together. Place your drysuit in a storage bag.
Store your drysuit protected from exposure to heat, UV radiation, and ozone, as much as possible.

O.S. Systems, Inc. - HDPro Diving Drysuit - Use and Care Manual (rev. 2/15/06)