Wetsuit Underarm Repairs | We Recommend Repairing Neoprene Peeling and Leaks as Soon as Possible

The underarm area of a wetsuit is prone to tears and leaks.

This time, we’re repairing damage that occurred around the underarms and near the upper arms of a wetsuit.

This area is particularly prone to stress during paddling while surfing, as well as when putting on or taking off a wetsuit.

Even if it looks like just a small tear or bulge on the outside, when you actually check it from the inside, you may find that the neoprene has peeled away or that the material has become prone to water seepage.

[Photo 1: Insert a photo showing damage to the entire wetsuit or around the armpits]

In some cases, you can't accurately determine whether a wetsuit is damaged just by looking at the outside.

With this wetsuit, too, I started by checking its overall condition and then took a closer look at the worn areas around the armpits.

When viewed from the outside, it may still look like it could be used.

However, upon inspection of the brushed side, I found that the neoprene had peeled away.

If you continue to use it like this, water may seep in from there, or the tear may spread further.

[Photo 2: Insert a photo showing the brushed fabric on the back and the peeling neoprene]

Especially with fleece-lined wetsuits and semi-dry suits designed for winter, once water gets in, you’ll feel the cold all at once.

Even a small leak can be quite stressful in the winter ocean.

If you keep using it thinking, “It’s just a little bit, so it’ll be fine,” the tear may spread, or the area that needs repair may become larger.

The underarm area and the area near the upper arm are subject to a lot of movement, which can put a strain on the fabric, so it’s important to check them early on.

[Photo 3: Insert a photo showing the damaged area pointed to with a finger]

In cases like this, where the neoprene has peeled away, simply reattaching it may not be enough.

If you apply the tape directly over a weakened area, it may peel off from the same spot or cause the tear to spread when you reuse it.

Therefore, we create new parts to match the damaged areas and replace only the necessary sections.

When repairing wetsuits, we don’t just focus on appearance; we also determine the best repair method by assessing the direction of stress when the suit is in use and identifying areas where water is likely to enter.

[Photo 4: Insert a photo of the newly made repair part or the installation process]

During this repair, we inspected the damage around the underarms and near the upper arms, and checked for any peeling of the neoprene from the brushed fabric on the inside.

We then identify the areas that are prone to water penetration and repair them by replacing only the damaged sections.

The repair process is as follows.

・Check the overall condition of the wetsuit
・Check for damage around the armpits and near the upper arms
・Check for neoprene peeling from the brushed inner lining
・Check whether water can easily seep in
・Replace only the damaged sections
・Attach the newly made parts
・Check the finish after repair

[Photo 5: Insert a photo showing the finished result after repairs]

In many cases, it’s better to repair a wetsuit when it has only small tears or peeling rather than waiting until the damage gets worse.

If the problem is caught early, it may be possible to limit the scope of repairs.

On the other hand, if you continue to use it as is and water gets inside or the tear spreads, the area requiring repair may become larger, and in some cases, the repair may become more difficult.

The underarms, crotch, knees, neck, cuffs, and areas around the zippers are particularly prone to wear and tear in wetsuits.

If you experience any of the following conditions, we recommend checking them as soon as possible.

・It's slightly torn
・Water seems to be seeping in
・The rubber or neoprene is peeling away
・The fleece lining on the inside seems worn
・It feels uncomfortable around the armpits or where the arms meet the torso
・I feel colder than before when swimming in the ocean in winter

Wetsuits are by no means cheap.

Instead of replacing it right away just because it's torn, one option is to first see if it can be repaired.

Of course, not all the damage will be completely repaired.

However, depending on its condition, it may still be usable after repairs.

If you're having trouble with tears in your wetsuit, peeling neoprene, rubber curling, leaks, or repairs around the underarms, please feel free to contact us.i.

We also accept mail-in repairs from customers nationwide.

Click here for wetsuit repair inquiries
/pages/wet-repair-com-pages-wetsuit-repair