Best way to lubricate yourself to get into a wetsuit?

[KenE]

I dive wet all the time, both cold and warm water. Donning a 7mm one piece semi-dry wetsuit has its challenges for an oversize 60 something guy. I found that a full lycra one piece and lycra socks over the lycra suit works the best. It also mitigates the cold chill when that water comes in through the zipper. Since using this method I have not had a problem with both dry and wet wetsuit. The lycra socks are above the calf and not short, the seam is on the sides and not down the middle.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Video: Hilarious moment women struggles to get into her wetsuit | Daily Mail Online

This is the very hilarious moment a young woman, in Key Largo, Florida, needed help to get in her wetsuit after it shrank when she put it in the tumble drier.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[LeggoDiveyDivey]

My first thought when hearing the lengths people go to get into their wetsuit is WHY is it SOO tight? It needs to be next to the skin, not so tight it creates a human sausage.

Some of us have folds, some of us have folds with folds.

Also sometimes its just for convenience across multiple dives, and when using rentals where its difficult to find a good fit.

 

[Dsix36]

When my suits fit properly, they would go on without much effort. BUT as i gained a bit of extra weight, they would get progressively harder to get into. I solved my problem cheaply and easily with Johnson's baby shampoo. I put a mix of 50% baby shampoo and 50% water in a small pump spray bottle. Spray some on arms, legs, and belly then later it a bit prior to slipping into my suit.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

If it's a skin-in freediving style suit we just use about a 5:1 solution of some natural hair conditioner and water in a spray bottle. Works perfect.
If it's a nylon lined suit then you will struggle more.

 

[Duglum]

If you really want to go all out... you can get canisters with several liters of water based lube cheaply. It's intended use is for e.g. pregnancy checks on horses or cows by veterinarians. But it's basically the same stuff you'd use for sex.

You'll have to live with the looks from people around you though.

 

[34109411]

This is mainly a problem for wetsuits at or above 5mm. I have done extensive research and seen people use different methods and wanted to get some recommendations online. I am generally leaning towards using coconut oil or avocado oil and wanted to ask if anyone has had experience using it.

So far here's what I have seen:

Recommended:
Stream2Sea hair conditioner
Aloe vera gel
Coconut, aloe vera, olive oil. (Assuming here that the first person that used fish oil got bitten)
Professional lubricants (Neoslix, anti chaffing sticks, expensive though)
Water (Wet the suit, take a shower)

Good but not reef safe:
Hair conditioners (most contains sulfates or chemicals)

Unorthodox (Sounds bad, works):
Water based dildo/sex lube. Likely not reef safe

Sounds good, doesn't work:
Soap (will dry you out)
Vaseline (petroleum jellies degrade wetsuits)

Out of scope:
Plastic bag. I disliked using this because in tight corners the bag will stretch, maybe even break off and then fly off into the ocean.
Wearing a rashguard or lycra. I somewhat already do this but the wetsuit gets snagged on tricky areas like the calves

This is mainly a problem for wetsuits at or above 5mm. I have done extensive research and seen people use different methods and wanted to get some recommendations online. I am generally leaning towards using coconut oil or avocado oil and wanted to ask if anyone has had experience using it.

So far here's what I have seen:

Recommended:
Stream2Sea hair conditioner
Aloe vera gel
Coconut, aloe vera, olive oil. (Assuming here that the first person that used fish oil got bitten)
Professional lubricants (Neoslix, anti chaffing sticks, expensive though)
Water (Wet the suit, take a shower)

Good but not reef safe:
Hair conditioners (most contains sulfates or chemicals)

Unorthodox (Sounds bad, works):
Water based dildo/sex lube. Likely not reef safe

Sounds good, doesn't work:
Soap (will dry you out)
Vaseline (petroleum jellies degrade wetsuits)

Out of scope:
Plastic bag. I disliked using this because in tight corners the bag will stretch, maybe even break off and then fly off into the ocean.
Wearing a rashguard or lycra. I somewhat already do this but the wetsuit gets snagged on tricky areas like the calves and hips.

all wrong KY JELLY

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Put plastic grocery bags over your feet and slide into the legs of the suit. Once your legs are in, put the bags on your hands and repeat.

 

[CathyE]

A full suit rash guard is the simplest solution, particularly for LOB diving. One has to be careful with zippers and such, but once you get used to it you won't want to go back to struggling. And a pair of lycra socks adds to the overall ease of getting in and out of a heavier wetsuit.

I love my full Lycra skin and knee high Lycra socks. No problem getting into my 7mm wetsuit.

 

[Wheeler925]

I hear there's an overstock on baby oil now. If you know, you know.