Causes of Water Leaks at the Neck, Wrists, and Ankles of Wetsuits, and When Repairs Are Possible

Reasons Why Water Enters a Wetsuit Through the Neck, Wrists, and Ankles

When you put on a wetsuit and go into the water, it can feel quite cold—especially in winter—if water seeps in through your neck, wrists, and ankles. With semi-dry or winter wetsuits, even a small amount of water ingress can significantly affect their insulation.

However, there isn’t just one cause for water leakage. It could be due to an improper fit, or it could be caused by worn parts, stiffened fabric, peeling adhesive, or previous repair marks.

Before replacing it, it’s important to first check where the water is coming from.

1. Causes of Water Entering Around the Neck

The neck area is particularly prone to letting water in, even among wetsuits. It’s also an area that’s often pulled on when putting the wetsuit on or taking it off, making it prone to elastic stretching and deterioration.

• The elastic around the neck is stretched out
• There is a crack in the neck area
• The adhesive on the inside is peeling off
• It's too big, and there's a gap around the neck.
• The fabric around the neck is stiff

If water enters through the neck, the problem can sometimes be resolved by replacing or repairing the parts around the neck. However, if the item itself is too large, repairs alone may not fully resolve the issue.

2. Causes of Water Entering Through the Wrist

The wrist moves a lot when paddling and is prone to stretching. If your wrist is loose, water is more likely to get in every time you move your arm.

• The wrist area is stretched out
• The elastic band on the wrist is torn.
• The skin on the inside of my wrist is peeling.
• There is a small hole around the wrist.
• Water gets in through the gap between the glove and the hand

Wear and tear on the wristband can sometimes be addressed with partial repairs or by replacing parts. Even a small tear can spread if left untreated, so we recommend checking it as soon as possible.

3. Causes of Water Entering Through the Ankle

The ankles are also prone to being pulled on and off, and water can easily seep in depending on how well the boots fit. If the ankles are loose or the fabric has stiffened, water is more likely to seep in while you're in the ocean.

• The ankle area is stretched out
• The elastic band around the ankle is torn.
• The skin on the inside of my ankle is peeling.
• There's a gap between the boots and the ground
• The fabric around the ankle has stiffened.

Water seeping in at the ankles can sometimes be fixed through repairs or part replacements, depending on the situation. However, if the problem is caused by a poor fit with your boots, it may not be possible to resolve it by addressing the wetsuit alone.

4. If the size doesn't fit

One of the most common reasons water enters through the neck, wrists, and ankles is a size mismatch. With used wetsuits or off-the-rack wetsuits, even if your height and weight are similar, the neck, wrist, and ankle sizes may not fit properly.

• It's a little big overall
• There's a gap at the neck
• Loose wrists and ankles
• It feels like water is pooling in the ocean.
• Water gets in every time I move.

If the problem is due to the size, a partial repair may improve the situation to some extent, but depending on the condition, it might be better to consider replacing the item.

5. When caused by fabric deterioration or hardening

With older wetsuits, the fabric itself may have become stiff. When the fabric stiffens, it doesn't conform to your body as well, making it easier for gaps to form.

• The rubber has hardened
• There are fine cracks on the surface.
• It has turned whitish and deteriorated
• It has lost some of its elasticity
• It doesn't fit snugly when I wear it

If the entire fabric has deteriorated, repairing only the neck, wrists, and ankles may not prevent water from seeping in from other areas. In such cases, we may recommend replacing the item rather than repairing it.

Cases that can be repaired

If the situation is as described below, the issue may be resolved through repair.

• Only the parts around the neck are damaged
• Parts of my wrists and ankles are torn
• The adhesive is peeling off
• There are some holes in it
• The fabric is still soft all over.
• We have a general idea of where the flooding occurred

In such cases, the issue can sometimes be resolved by replacing parts, re-gluing, reinforcing the backing, or applying fabric.

Cases Where It’s Better to Consider Replacing the Item Rather Than Repairing It

On the other hand, not all water damage can be resolved through repairs. In cases such as those listed below, it may be better to consider replacing the item, taking into account the repair costs and its age.

• The entire fabric has become stiff
• Water is coming in from multiple places
• My neck, wrists, and ankles are all showing signs of wear and tear.
• Other parts, such as the zippers and knees, are also worn out.
• A pretty old wetsuit

It’s easier to decide whether to repair it or replace it once you’ve checked its condition in the photos.

The location you'd like me to send when checking the photos

If you're contacting us via LINE, please send us the following photo so we can assess the situation more easily.

• Close-up photo of the neck area
• The front and inside of the wrist
• The front and inner sides of the ankle
• The spot where you can feel the water
• A photo of the entire wetsuit
• Close-up photos of tears and peeling that caught my attention

While we may not always be able to determine the exact cost based on photos alone, it makes it easier for us to let you know whether the item can be repaired and what kind of assessment is needed.

Related Pages

• Wetsuit Repair: Overview Page
• Wetsuit Water Leak Repair
• Semi-Dry Repair and Pre-Winter Inspection
• Wetsuit Repairs: Tears and Holes
• Wetsuit Zipper Repair
• Replacing Wetsuit Knee Pads