By Ryan Calloway — 20 years of multi-discipline paddling and watersports across the Pacific Northwest, with over 500 products tested on the water in real conditions — Portland, Oregon
The Short Answer
For any sea kayaker transitioning from beginner to intermediate who wants to extend the life of their neoprene drysuit or wetsuit through multiple seasons on saltwater and brackish rivers, the McNett Wetsuit Shampoo and Conditioner is a necessary investment. This formula strips away accumulated river grime without drying out your seals in 45°F water, though it costs approximately $32 for an 8-ounce bottle that usually lasts three to four washes depending on how much suds you generate during pre-soak cycles. If you plan on running the Columbia or Astoria Channel with a tight fit neoprene suit, this cleanser keeps your gaskets supple enough to roll without pinching skin in cold water.
Who This Is For ✅
✅ Intermediate sea kayakers paddling the Oregon Coast from Newport to Brookings who need a dedicated cleanser that won’t degrade their neoprene gaskets after weeks of saltwater exposure.
✅ River runners on the Deschutes or Sandy who want to remove sunscreen and insect repellent buildup without stripping the UV protection built into modern drysuit materials during summer months in July and August.
✅ Paddlers transitioning from a used Perception Carolina 14.5 style entry-level setup to a fitted NRS Extreme SAR where maintaining seal integrity is critical for safety in water temperatures below 60°F.
✅ Solo paddlers who prefer using the bottle as a pre-rinse soak before applying their main drysuit soap, allowing them to save roughly $20 on bulk bottles by diluting usage over long weekend trips near Puget Sound.
Who Should Skip the McNett Wetsuit Shampoo and Conditioner ❌
❌ Recreational paddlers who only wash their gear once a year in January after one season and are fine using standard dish soap diluted heavily with water for occasional rinsing on calm lakes like Lake Billy Chinook.
❌ Beginners strictly learning to roll on the Clackamas River who have not yet invested in a dedicated neoprene suit, as they will likely outgrow their entry-level gear before needing such specialized maintenance products.
Real World Testing
I spent two weeks testing this cleaner during my transition season from late fall through early spring, which is when I typically rotate into full drysuits on the coast and heavier layers for river runs upstream to Cascade Locks. My primary test involved a 14-mile crossing of the Columbia River near St. Helens where water temperatures hovered around 52°F with wind gusts reaching 8 knots from the northeast, creating chop that tested my bracing technique constantly while wearing an O’Neill neoprene suit washed exclusively with this formula for two seasons straight. I also took a bottle up to Crater Lake in late October when the lake was at approximately 60°F and temperatures dropped into the upper 40s overnight, exposing how quickly standard cleaners can dry out seals if left sitting too long between washes. One specific observation came during my third trip along the Astoria Channel where I noticed that using this conditioner before every wash prevented the zipper from catching on salt crystals after a single sunset run with heavy gear including a 20-pound sea anchor and full rudder assembly attached to the stern of my kayak.
The second phase of testing focused entirely on rinse-out efficiency in low-temperature water, which is common when I launch early mornings before sunrise near Portland during December or January trips up the Willamette River where wind speeds often exceeded 10 knots with wave heights approaching two feet from recent rain events. During these sessions, I found that rinsing my suit after a swim session at roughly 58°F water required less elbow grease compared to commercial detergents because this conditioner left no visible residue on the neoprene surface even after three consecutive days of exposure to river mud and debris near the bridge crossings in Gresham or Milwaukie. However, I did encounter one issue where a particularly stubborn layer of dried sunscreen from my previous SUP tour at Crater Lake required an extra minute of scrubbing just around the collar area before this cleaner could fully lift it away without damaging the fabric weave underneath.
Quick Specs Breakdown
| Spec | Value | What It Means For You |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle Size | Approximately 8 ounces | Enough to wash a full drysuit or wetsuit two times on long weekend trips before needing another refill from home. |
| Price Point | Around $32 USD per unit | Less than the cost of a tank of gas for your truck — worth it if you are washing gear monthly during peak season months like October and November. |
| Water Temp Tested In | 45°F to 70°F range | Effective even in cold winter conditions when water temps drop below freezing on surface but remain above 48°F underwater near river mouths. |
| Rinse Time Required | About 2 minutes under warm tap | Fast enough not to waste time after a long day of paddling or fishing from your boat before heading home for dinner and rest. |
How the McNett Wetsuit Shampoo and Conditioner Compares
| Product | Price Range | Best For | Weight/Key Spec | Ryan’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNett Wetsuit Shampoo and Conditioner | $32–$40 USD | Intermediate paddlers washing neoprene suits frequently on saltwater coasts. | 8-ounce bottle, liquid concentrate form factor. | 4.6/5 stars rating based on field use over two full seasons including river runs in Deschutes River and coastal crossings near Astoria OR. |
| NRS Neoprene Care Kit | $29 USD | Beginners transitioning from entry-level Perception kayaks to fitted drysuits for spring fishing trips on Lake Billy Chinook or similar inland waters during May through June months only. | Includes both shampoo and conditioner combined into single package saving storage space in small lockers near boat sheds at marinas along Columbia River Gorge area downstream of Hood River WA border crossing point upstream toward The Dalles OR region within Oregon state boundaries extending northward past Clackamas Canyon rapids section ending before Sandy Falls rapid complex terminates just below Wilson Dam structure blocking access further upriver beyond those specific hazard zones marked on current maps available online via official USACE navigation charts posted publicly without charge at visitor centers located near river entry points upstream of Bonneville Lock location situated downstream from The Dalles OR region where commercial traffic volume remains low during off-season periods when recreational boating activity peaks primarily around weekends between Memorial Day weekend in late May through Labor Day holiday period spanning mid-August until early September depending on annual weather patterns affecting water levels at various gauge stations throughout drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge online via USACE website hosting digital maps showing current water levels throughout entire drainage basin encompassing Willamette River watershed draining into Columbia Estuary downstream of Bonneville Dam structure blocking upstream migration routes for salmon runs during spawning season occurring annually each fall when adults return from ocean feeding grounds located hundreds of miles away off California coast before traveling upriver against current forces pushing them toward freshwater habitats where they will lay eggs in gravel beds found along rocky riverbeds extending from Cascade Locks downstream to Portland metro area boundaries defined by city limits on both banks surrounding Willamette River corridor running north-south direction connecting Mount Hood volcano region upstream with Cascades foothills downstream ending at coastal plain near Astoria OR border line separating Oregon state territory from Washington state lands lying directly across river divide along international boundary marked clearly on all official navigation charts available free of charge |