Best wetsuit changing mats for swim, surf and triathlon

The best wetsuit changing mats, sometimes called swimming changing mats, are nifty pieces of kit that you don’t realise you’re missing until they become indispensable.

You’ll discover how important your trusty mat becomes after swim sessions, as a mat will allow you to create your own comfortable space for changing in and out of your triathlon wetsuit while protecting your feet and the wetsuit’s materials.

Concrete, sand and other floor debris can damage wetsuits. Changing mats help to avoid this, as the durable, waterproof material will keep your feet and your suit from touching the ground at all.

The mats often function as self-contained bags, too, so you can pull the drawstrings to keep your wet belongings in one easy-to-carry place.

For triathletes especially, where changing out of wetsuits quickly and easily is essential, changing mats are a particularly helpful addition.

They can reduce the risk of damaging your feet on the hard floor, and will help to keep your wetsuit in better shape for longer. On this point, the best wetsuit hangers will help you store your wetsuit properly to extend its life.

Read on for a hand-picked selection of our favourite wetsuit changing mats…

Best wetsuit changing mats to buy in 2025

1. Lomo Changing Mat

• £11.99 (US pricing N/A)

We loved the simplicity of this wetsuit changing mat from Lomo.

Simply unzip it and lay it flat to stand on as you peel off wet kit, then scoop it all up and zip it up again to transport it home without leaks.

It’s a nifty solution to the problem of standing around on chilly ground post-swim and we all know the struggle of dealing with wet kit everywhere.

It comes at a great price, too.

2. Zone3 Changing Mat

• $24 / £18

This changing mat comes from Zone3, a brand that often features in our grouptests here at 220 Triathlon.

It comes in at a similar price to other options in the list and it proved reliable during out test period.

The mat uses a convenient drawstring system that turns it into a bag, allowing you to easily bundle up and transport your wet belongings, as is the case with many others listed here.

Meanwhile the mat itself unfolds into a circle with a slightly raised edge that’s designed to be used on a variety of different surfaces.

There’s no padding or soft fabric underfoot, but it did prove waterproof, with no leaks after being bundled up and into our car full of wet kit.

Included is a carry bag to keep it safe when it’s not in use, which packs down nice and small so you can chuck it into a rucksack or triathlon bag with ease.

3. Orca Changing Mat Accessory

• £20

The imaginatively named Orca Changing Mat Accessory (at least you know what you’re getting!) is designed to give you a perfect space to stand when changing out of your soggy swimming kit and into dry clothes.  

The mat is made from 85% polyamide and 15% polyurethane, while it has a diameter of 75cm. It’s spacious enough for changing and is a decent size for piling wet kit into. 

There’s an elastic cord running right the way around the outside so you can cinch it in like a bag to keep all your soggy kit contained on the way back to the car.

However, there aren’t any carry handles, which is a shame. 

The other thing to note is that if you leave a sopping wet wetsuit in there, it will leak through the material after a short while, so it’s best not to strip off and use the mat as storage for your wet kit on the journey home.

A big bonus in my eyes is that the carry bag is stitched into this mat so you can’t lose it. And it’s easy to put this mat away, too.

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4. Olaian Wetsuit Bag

• £17.99 (US pricing N/A)

Designed by surfer teams in France and tested in real conditions by Decathlon, this wetsuit bag promises to be easy to use and transport.

Made from coated polyester, the bag is said to be waterproof with a flat diameter of 88cm.

5. Frostfire Moonbag

• £29.99

Frostfire claims that its Moonbag, released in 1998, was the first ever mat and bag designed for changing between wet and dry clothes.

With over 20 years’ experience, the current version of the Moonbag should be a tried-and-tested choice for wetsuit changing.

The bag has a particularly-wide 37” (around 93cm) diameter when rolled flat, which will likely make changing a bit easier.

Use the drawstring to tie it into a bag, then the two carry handles will help you transport it. Made from 100% nylon, this changing mat is said to be fully waterproof.

6. Ocean and Earth Compact Wetty Bucket Change Mats

• £24

This changing mat from Ocean and Earth acts more as a bucket than a flat mat thanks to its shin-height walls.

A deeper capacity allows you to carry more of your belongings, with two carry handles to help transportation.

7. Dryrobe Changing Mat

• $30 / £20

For a more sustainable choice, this changing mat from Dryrobe is made from 100% recycled fabrics.

The outer shell fabric is said to be water-repellent, while the lining is a synthetic lambswool material. To pack it away, use the elastic strap to roll the mat up.

Features to look for in a wetsuit changing mat

The best wetsuit changing mats must protect your feet and wetsuit as you change, potentially on a rocky shoreline, so their material needs to be tough. Wear will still occur though, so it’s worth knowing how to repair a wetsuit.

Also, you’ll want them to provide as flat a surface as possible to change on even if the ground is uneven or slanted.

A drawstring design is common on the best wetsuit changing mats, enabling you to tighten up the top of the mat into a bag as you walk up from the water.

Larger wetsuit changing mats will be able to hold other cold-water swimming gear, such as swimming hats and gloves, too. If stowability is more important for you, go for a smaller, more packable mat that’ll fit into a rucksack, for example.

All this stuff will be soaking wet, so your wetsuit changing mat should be waterproof. Materials like nylon and TPU should prevent leaks.