What does a Scotsman wear under his wetsuit?

I wear lightweight jogging shorts so I have something to strip down to if I need to - they're pretty revealing and not terribly sexy when they're wet though (well...that depends on what you look like I guess)

biking shorts or neoprene shorts

Let me clarify: what is the best way to keep the wetsuit clean, especially when it gets sweaty inside.

Jonathan

Best way I find to clean a wetsuit is to put it in bathtub, slosh it around a lot, and even walk around on it. Drain water & repeat. Then hang up on (sturdy) hangar. After draining/drying overnight, turn it inside out & hang out to dry again.
There is actually a product sold for washing wetsuits. I have not tried it, but it is probably just a mild detergent.

I haven't tried uploading pictures to the forum, and this doesn't seem like the occasion to try it for the first time ;->

Jonathan

Would baggy and absorbant boxer shorts do? I have some made from nice thick cotton.

Jonathan

I turn mine inside out and wash them occasionally in the washing machine on delicate with no detergent. I hang them inside out afterwards to dry. I haven't experienced a smelly wet suit yet.

I use old mtn bikeing shorts w/the pad cut out OR better yet, spandex shorts that you can pick up from Walmart. They are the best thing I have found.

Will

Lycra bottoms and whatever those "skins" are made from are the way to go. No Campers butt, and no chafe
Dave Mosley
www.seacats.org

I know its not the right thing to do, and I know I'll probably get rubbing rashes from it, but I always go commando under my wetsuit, either that or just boxers 😛

I dunno what a Scotsman would wear, but I just wear my boxers.

As for cleaning and washing, I just keep my wetty wet for a couple of days. It doesnt do them any harm, then I just chuck it on the clothesline till its dry and stuff it in my wetty-bag, same with my booties.

My wetty is a 5x3mm with some type of Titanium weave? - Its super warm though.

Same here.

You're supposed to wear something underneath?

I think some of us must have a natural buffer that prevents rashes

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I think some of us must have a natural buffer that prevents rashes

That's right. That's what I'll call my spare 20 lbs . . . a "natural buffer".

oh thank goodness - I thought you guys were talking about being hairy.

I highly recommend O'Neill rash guards of all types underneth wetsuits. They are very strechy, soft and the seams are on the outside so they do not dig into the skin.

I wear rash guard tops all year around, even in 100+ degree heat. BluePlanet, O'Neill and Mysterioso's are SPF rated between 30-50. Get'em wet and they stay cool, plus you avoid cancer!

Careful in the summer sun with rashguards, they make for some funky tan lines.

So here are the suggestions I have received on this thread or in private email:

1. "Nothing comes between me and my wetsuit"
2. Skimpy, Speed-o style swimsuits
3. Lycra shorts, which may cut down on sweat
4. Rash guards
5. Boxer shorts
6. Old bicycling shorts - presumably the lycra ones?

In private email, someone suggested that (1) is the most common, but (3) is becoming much more popular.

Is that about right?

Jonathan

You're right on track.

Surfers invented the wetsuit. No self-respecting surfer wears anything under their wetsuit except maybe an upper body rash guard. I've been using/wearing wetsuits for 20 years and would never dream of wearing anything underneath.

Commando or no go....... Natural rules

OK, but I live in North Carolina, I drive a Ford Escort, and there's not always a place to change or a wooded area near the beach. How do I get into the wetsuit modestly?

Maybe this was less of a concern for the California surfers who invented the wetsuit ;->

Jonathan

Once I was paddling with my wife and two other couples along the Maine coast, offshore from Acadia National Park. We had covered a long open crossing, following lots of morning coffee. After hours of holding it in, we rounded Schoodic Point and made a dash for the nearest cove. Slipping into shallow water at the head of the cove, we were climbing out of the kayaks before they came to a stop. Three guys and three women, totally focused on the need for relief. Wetsuits dropped to the knees as quickly as we could get the zippers down. Not a rash guard in sight.

Soon after the splashing sound of pee meeting ocean could be heard, a loud round of applause erupted from the bluff above our heads. On our way ashore, our only thought had been to get out of the boats. We had neglected to notice that we had chosen a spot below one of those national park scenic overlooks.

We waved. They all got a good laugh (and probably some pictures as well).

Jonathan:

Theres the bathroom out there at vista point

Just wear some shorts under it....

I'm going to be out there on sunday... maybe tomorrow too.

Jonathan--

Easy to get into a wetsuit--no bathroom is necessary. It can be done in a parking lot, on a road side, at the beach, or on a boat dock. (It is not be easy in a Ford Escort, though.)

Wrap a large beach towel around your waist and tuck it in so it stays put. Pull your shorts off underneath the towel. Pull the wetsuit on up to your waist underneath the towel. Remove the towel. Remove your shirt and pull the top on too. That's all there is to it.

Like wearing nothing under the wetsuit, this is a tried and true technique. Beware of your buddies yanking the towel off at the wrong (right) time, though...

BTW, I used to live in Hillsborough, up the road from you. Great area. And yes, this technique worked there when I lived in North Carolina too.

The problem of having no place to change is common enough for at least one company to market a solution.

Changing Robes

[color]"Creative Designs is introducing an exciting new patented product, the Change-A-Robe. Used by the cast and crew of Baywatch, this is a hooded, poncho style changing robe made of thick quality velour terry cloth. The unisex robe features a full hood, deep scoop neck opening to look inside robe while changing, large inside pouch to store clothing before and after changing, two large outside pockets, zippered front opening over inside pouch with a flap. The inside pouch can be accessed from inside or outside of robe. This robe is everything in one. You can change under it, dry off with it, wear it to stay warm, pack inside pouch ahead of time, sit or lay on it like a blanket.

This portable changing garment is ideal for changing anywhere, out of wet dive or swimwear into dry clothing and can be worn between swimming or diving activities to block the wind and stay warm. The unisex robe is available in dark royal blue. One size fits all."

Of course, an old plastic poncho would probably work just as well

I'm likely to be out Sunday too, after church. The weather for Saturday does not look promising. I'll send you a private email with my phone number if you want to coordinate.

Jonathan