A wetsuit changing mat is a portable mat that you stand on when changing out of your wetsuit. It acts as a barrier between you and the elements like sand and concrete, protecting your expensive wetsuit. This wonderful tool saves you time and the hassle of cleaning the sand out of your wetsuit. It also saves you money! It prevents damages and prevents the need of replacing your wetsuit. How to use a wetsuit changing mat: Anyone who has ever walked barefoot outside will understand the misery your foot feels as you tread upon a stone. Your body lurches forward and you grab your foot as you cry out in pain. Why should your feet be on sand, gravel, dirty tarmac, asphalt, and debris if they can comfortably stand on a cushioned layer of fiber? The SUGA Recycled Wetsuit Surf Change Mat is, as you might have guessed, made from recycled neoprene wetsuits so you can kind of imagine how soft it feels. This is perhaps the most eco-friendly surf change mat out there, and while it doesn’t work as a bag or anything like that, it will protect your feet and wetsuit from sand and sharp ground.

If you are going on holiday or for a rare trip to the beach, then a simple towel is sufficient for getting changed. If you are a surfer or open-water swimmer who is constantly faced with the problem of sandy or dirty feet when changing, then a mat is probably a great idea. You don’t need a special type of mat to get changed on, though. Anything will do. A tile of carpet, an old duffel bag, a doormat, a foam sleeping pad section, or any other number of things you can stand on to get changed. They're flexible, frost and UV-resistant, sturdy, and feature strong handles for easy carrying around. PROS: You can add water and carry it to wash your feet by the car, portable, durable, comfy base, can store wetsuit in it after Red Gorilla's plastic tubs are large enough for you to stand inside them and change in and out of your wetsuit.

Wetsuit Changing Mat / Dry-Bag Features

Also, while using the left and right foot to speed up the process, the wetsuit panels tend to rub the ground more intensely, thus, becoming more exposed to wear and tear. Velcro or drawstrings are both great features for securing a wetsuit once inside the changing mat. But I recommend to AVOID wetsuit changing mats with zippers! They can corrode and become a nuisance.

The pullup drawstring that brings the closure together is highly durable, so you won’t have to worry about tearing it. In addition, it makes the mat easy to carry, in case you’ll walk a long distance with it. The Grass Wetsuit Change Mat/Bag is ideal for surfers who don’t want to carry a lot of stuff with them while surfing. Aside from its function as a change mat, it can turn into a bag for them to store wet suits inside. Also, it’s long-lasting, and it’s not a hassle to clean. Actually, we were working on grass changing mats before we discovered this changing mat/dry-bag combo. Getting in and out of your wetsuit at the beach or in a car park poses a number of challenges which is why we recommend using one of the best surf changing mats. There are hundreds of different beach-changing mats that all look the same and like they have been imported from China. Instead, we found the most well-made and useful mats for changing to share only the best with you. You can use the mat as a dry bag for your wetsuit, which will protect the suit from any foul odor or mold that may develop due to the moisture. It’s also pretty easy to store, seeing as it’s portable and compactly sized. Plus, it’s lightweight, so it won’t tire you out if you carry it for long distances. ProsIt features a foldable design in navy blue, with outer colour options of pink, orange, and green. It is easy to fit in your bag and easy to clean due to the grooved underside. This is good for adults and the kids will love its fun design. The soft bristles will add comfort to your pre and post-surfing routine thanks to a heavy-duty, water-resistant changing mat lined with 6 mm of artificial grass, which acts as a barrier to the cold or hard ground. The SportLife is easy to fold down, so you won’t face trouble storing it or putting it in your car trunk. It’s also not bulky, so you’ll be able to put it anywhere with ease. Pros This is definitely a surfing essential! All our wetsuit changing mats are constructed from highly durable heavy duty materials, so will last for years, providing a long-term solution for those times when you’re changing on the beach and you want to keep your gear clean, or as I find your feet warm and dry in the winter.

So, if you’re a watersports addict or a watersports newbie, please keep it clean (your wetsuit) easily with a wetsuit changing mat that gives you what you need–a stress-free way to finish your water activity strong. Cleaning the mat is a piece of cake, no matter how much sand you get on it. Plus, it’s extremely portable, thanks to its foldable design. You won’t face any hassle carrying it. On top of that, it’s not only suitable for surfing, but it also works well for scuba diving, tubing, and paddleboarding. The Ho Stevie! Durable Wetsuit Changing Mat is very similar to the FCS changing mat as well as many others that look almost identical. The only differences are material and that the Ho Stevie version has a shoulder strap, so you aren’t forced to grab it by thin cords when carrying. Made from waterproof Oxford cloth, this product isn’t designed to hold water, but it does an ok job of keeping wet gear contained in your car. Whether surfing summer or winter waves in high or low latitudes, the wetsuit changing mat makes it more comfortable to get in and out of your neoprene.

There is nothing more annoying than the reality of putting a wetsuit or wet clothes into your car without a bag. Well, it might be more annoying if you leave it there overnight and the next morning your car stinks! Avoid bringing dirty sandy feet into your car and so much more by getting the best wetsuit changing mat for you. It is a real game-changer. Changing mats can be easily stored in a small corner of your car trunk. Here's how to change in and out of your wetsuit using this useful surf accessory: Most surfers will have a used or at least seen a couple of Tubtrugs at the beach as they are so handy for storing your wet surf gear in. Unlike most surf changing mat/bags, Tubtrugs are 1005 waterproof and incredibly durable. The Tubtrugs 9 Gallon Tub is an extra large and specifically wide and shallow tub that is amazing for changing in and out of wetsuits. You can fill it with water to give your feet a wash before tipping it out and storing your wetsuit in it. The Surf grass mat is on the expensive side of the market, which is the reason it’s not most people’s first choice. However, its convenience and ease of cleaning are worth the extra pounds you’ll pay. NOTE on use of the wetsuit changing mat / bag. The bag is not waterproof – it’s water resistant – so before you put it in you car etc it’s always best to hold it up with the zip end opening at the lowest point, open the zip a few inches and drain off any excess water. It will keep your car dry but not if you have half the Ocean inside….