Showing all 4 results
Proper wetsuit storage on the correct hanger is one of the simplest and most effective things a diver can do to extend the service life of their neoprene. Four hanger models here — from a compact multipurpose hanger through suit-specific wide-shoulder designs — prevent the shoulder deformation and seam stress that standard clothes hangers cause in heavy neoprene suits.
Why Wetsuit Hangers Matter
A saturated 7 mm wetsuit can weigh 4–6 kg. Hanging that weight on a standard wire clothes hanger concentrates the entire load on a contact area of approximately 5 mm at each shoulder point. Over a dive season of regular use, this creates a permanent indentation in the neoprene at the contact point, deforms the shoulder seam construction, and causes progressive stretching of the suit in the shoulder area that cannot be reversed. The shoulder deformation also changes the suit’s thermal geometry — stretched neoprene at the shoulder is compressed neoprene, which has reduced insulation value. Wetsuit hangers distribute this load over a much wider shoulder surface area, eliminating the concentration that causes damage.
The Multipurpose hanger is the standard wide-shoulder wetsuit hanger — a broad, curved bar that supports the wetsuit across the full shoulder width. The Hanger II is a simpler, more compact hanger at a lower price point for divers who need basic wide-shoulder support without additional features. The Hanger for suits and accessories is a more substantial design with additional hooks or pegs for hanging gloves, boots, and hoods alongside the suit — a practical feature for a dedicated drying area where all wetsuit components hang together in one location. The Accessories hanger is a smaller hanger designed specifically for hanging individual accessories (gloves, hoods, small items) rather than full suits — used in combination with a suit hanger to organize a complete wetsuit kit.
What to Look For
- Shoulder width matched to your suit size. A hanger that’s too narrow for your suit concentrates load on a narrower area than the suit is designed to rest on. Wider suits (larger men’s sizes) should use correspondingly wide hangers. Most wetsuit hangers are designed for a range of suit sizes — check the stated maximum shoulder width against your suit’s shoulder measurement.
- Hook length for hanging location. Different hanging environments — bathroom shower rails, dedicated gear bars, ceiling hooks — require different hook lengths and configurations. The Accessories hanger and Hanger II have standard hook lengths for typical hanging locations; the Hanger for suits and accessories is a larger assembly that may require a more robust hanging point to support the combined weight of suit plus accessories.
- Combined drying convenience. The Hanger for suits and accessories allows a complete wetsuit kit to dry in one location — suit, gloves, boots, and hood all hanging from a single point. This is more convenient than separate hangers for each item and ensures all components dry at the same rate in the same environment. For divers with a dedicated gear drying area, this combined approach reduces clutter and ensures no item is left to dry improperly.
Maintenance and Care
Rinse plastic hangers with fresh water after use in salt water environments — salt deposits on plastic over time cause surface crazing that can scratch neoprene at the contact points. Inspect hanger hooks periodically for cracking at the stress point where the hook attaches to the shoulder bar — this is the highest-load point and the most common location for plastic hanger failure. A hanger that fails while holding a saturated suit drops the suit to the floor (likely into dirt) and may damage the suit at the shoulder seam if the fall creates a sudden jerk. Replace cracked hangers before they fail.
FAQ
Can I store my wetsuit folded instead of hanging?
Short-term folded storage (a few hours between dives on a dive trip) is acceptable. Long-term folded storage (weeks or months between dive seasons) is not — neoprene develops permanent compression set at fold lines, permanently reducing thickness and insulation value at those points. For storage between dive seasons, hanging on a proper wetsuit hanger in a cool, dark location is the correct approach. If hanging space is not available, fold the suit loosely at the waist over a wide horizontal bar (a towel rail, for example) rather than at a sharp fold angle.
What is the difference between the Multipurpose hanger and the Hanger for suits and accessories?
The Multipurpose hanger is a wide-shoulder suit hanger focused on correct suit weight distribution — its primary function is supporting the suit correctly. The Hanger for suits and accessories adds extra attachment points for hanging gloves, hoods, and boots alongside the suit, making it a more complete drying system rather than just a suit hanger. For divers who dry all their wetsuit components in one location, the combined hanger reduces equipment needed and keeps the kit organized. For divers with separate drying arrangements for accessories, the Multipurpose hanger is the more focused solution.