How to Keep Your Car Dry: A Guide to Transporting Wet Gear
Quadri Abdur October 21st, 2025 Posted In: Articles, How-To
After an exhilarating surf session, all you want to do is jump in your car, crank up the music, and head home for a well-deserved rest. However, seasoned surfers know it’s never that simple. Between the dripping wetsuit, sandy towel, and soggy booties, keeping your car dry and clean can feel like a challenge of its own. This guide will help you master the art of transporting your wet gear from the beach to your trunk, using a wetsuit changing mat, and then home without turning your car into a saltwater mess.
Why It is Important to Protect Your Car and Gear
When you strip off your suit and toss it into the back of your vehicle, it’s not just water you’re transporting; it’s sand, grit, salt, moisture, and everything that can ruin your car’s interior. Over time this can:
- Soak upholstery and carpet, leading to damp smells or mildew.
- Wear down your neoprene (if it rubs against rough surfaces) and reduce your suit’s lifespan.
- Cause leakage and mess when you’re heading home with wet gear in tow.
Hence, it’s important to commit to using a quality wetsuit changing mat or surf change mats, and using it properly. That way, you can rest assured you’re changing on the proper surface, bagging your gear right, and protecting both your gear and your car during transport.
How to Use the Wetsuit Changing Mat: Best Practices
Getting the right wetsuit bag is only part of the equation. Even the best surf change mat bag won’t do much if you don’t know how to use it properly. From how you roll your suit to how you seal the bag, every small step matters. Think of it like putting together a puzzle, and the bag is just one piece of that puzzle.
Step A: Changing Out of Your Wetsuit
- Lay your wetsuit changing mat on a flat surface near the car or beach access (but not on sharp asphalt or gravel).
- Stand on the mat, remove boots/gloves first, and peel off the wetsuit while standing on the mat. This protects both the suit and the car interior.
- Rinse off major salt or sand if there’s a rinse facility nearby. If not, at least knock off excess grit.
Step B: How to Pack the Wet Suit for Transport
Rolling vs. Folding
- Rolling your wetsuit is recommended over folding because folding sharply along lines can create permanent creases in neoprene. Ultimately, this may reduce insulation or durability over time. A loose roll keeps things compact and prevents awkward bulges in your bag.
Insert into Bag
- Once rolled, place the wetsuit inside the surf change mat bag while still on the mat.
- Pull the drawstring or cinch the bag tightly, making sure the opening is sealed and excess water is inside.
- If the bag has extra gear (boots, gloves, towel), tuck those in around the suit.
Cinch/Close Properly
- For drawstring bags: Pull the string until the opening is gathered tightly, tie a secure knot if needed.
- For roll-top bags: Roll the top three or more times, then clip/buckle. This ensures a proper seal and helps prevent leaks.
- When selecting a surf change mat bag, choose one with a well-designed closure. Keep in mind that shallow mats without full side walls or bag seals tend to leak in the car, defeating the purpose of the bag.
Preventing Leaks & Car-Interior Horror Stories
Below are a few tips for preventing leaks when placing your surf change mat and bag in the car:
- Place the bag upright in the trunk if possible, or in a location where drips won’t seep into upholstery.
- Use a secondary waterproof liner (e.g., plastic bin or old towel) under the bag if you don’t fully trust the sealing system.
- Always air out the suit and bag as soon as you get home. Leaving a damp bag in a closed car leads to odors, mildew and even mold.
- Rinse and dry your bag regularly. If the inside gets salty or gritty, the closure might degrade faster.
- Keep a small microfiber towel in the car for wiping the bag’s exterior before you stow it. Less water dripping means less mess.
Routine Maintenance & Quick Checklist for Your Wetsuit and Surf Change Mats
- After every session: Rinse your wetsuit whenever you can, then change on the mat, roll the suit, bag it properly.
- Weekly/Monthly: Check bag seams/closure for wear, rinse interior of bag, check mat surface for grit.
- Car check: Wipe down trunk floor or back seats regularly, and inspect for damp spots.
- Pack the gear in a consistent spot: Don’t shuffle it around so you always know where the wet bag goes and you avoid accidental drips.
Final Thoughts
Transporting wet gear doesn’t have to mean a soggy car and unpleasant odors. With a quality surf change mat bag and smart packing habits (roll the suit, cinch the bag, and place it properly), you can keep your interior clean, dry and ready for the next session. Your neoprene will thank you, and your car will stay surf-ready and smell-free!
