Having Fun and Keeping Safe While Fursuiting

Hi Papabear,

I'm Shadey, and I was wondering, do you have any advice on how to have fun while fursuiting for fursuiters (if you know anything about that), but also be safe about it and reduce the risks of damaging your suit at the same time? Even if it's just suiting at home or in public, would there be any tips or any suggestions of what you could do to avoid any pricks to the fabric, tears or rips, or anything of those sorts and what not to do at all? Or, if not, would you recommend any other place that I could ask? Either way, any response to this question is greatly appreciated. Thanks! 

P.S. I have read some of your articles online before when going into Google for curious furry related questions or suiting advice and I really liked them! Gotta check out your website more as possible. ^^

Shadey

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Dear Shadey,

Thanks for your question. I have been fursuiting for well over a decade now, so I believe I can answer your questions. Let's go through them by category (I'm German; I like order):

• Safety: I'm not sure how long you have been fursuiting, but it's a good rule to have a handler with you while you do it, especially if you're in unfamiliar territory. A handler is just a pal who comes with you to make sure you don't bump or trip on anything such as stairs, curbs, furniture, electrical wiring etc. As you know, vision is pretty limited in a fursuit, and it's hard to see where you're going. A handler can also help you in a fursuit lounge (aka deheading lounge) to help you take off your head, drink water, and get your fursuit back on again before walking the con. And, they can do things like keep children from grabbing your tail or hugging you from behind. These are all things that can keep you safe. Handlers can help you from damaging your suit, too, by helping you avoid obstacles and destructive people. (True story: I was once doing promo work in front of an ice cream store at Halloween and this guy ran up to me and dry humped my leg before I could stop him; OMG, his girlfriend was mortified; he was drunk as hell, of course). You should also remember to stay hydrated, and if you feel overheated, don't be afraid to dehead, even if you are in public. (I prefer to duck into a lounge or bathroom, but sometimes stuff happens to prevent that).
• Avoiding Suit Damage: No matter how cautious you are, over time you might get tears and wear on your fursuit. Before you don your outfit (actually, I do this a day or more beforehand), examine your fursuit for any minor tears or loose stitching or glue and repair them before they get worse. If you have soft footpaws (the soles of mine are hard rubber, so I don't worry too much), you might consider getting fursuit sandals. These are just very basic rubber souls with straps you can have made or go to YouTube and search for tutorials. This is pretty important if you have cloth or other soft footpaw soles and/or you go fursuiting outdoors or on any rough terrain. Oh, and learn some basic sewing and get a little sewing kit for travel.
• Washing: NEVER throw a fursuit into a washing machine unless you want to destroy it. If needed, hand wash your fursuit in a big sink or tub with a gentle detergent (I recommend Woolite for delicates). Between washes, spray the inside of your fursuit with a disinfectant such as Lysol, being careful not to do so in your fursuit head, especially around the eyes, unless you wish to cry from burning eyes. Concentrate on the smelly areas, including crotch, underarms, and feet. A gentle, sanitizing wipe can be used for inside the head. For larger particles of dirt, just carefully brush the fur with a soft-bristled brush or big-toothed comb (not fine-toothed).
• In general, before you fursuit, scope out where you plan to go (at a furcon, for example, I always wander around the hotel or whatever to see what's what and where's where). Try to avoid areas that are dirty with lots of hazards (plants, rocks), which is why I generally don't do parks or Ren Faires unless they have paved paths.
• When traveling, get appropriate bags to carry your fursuit. A lot of people use big rubber tubs, which is okay, I guess, except the lids come off unless you use bungee cords or some such. I prefer luggage. Good luggage. My fursuit is very large, so what I found is luggage designed for mascot suits. Yes! They have those! It's great for carrying my body and padding, and then I use another bag for my head, paws, etc. 
• Finally, store your suit in a clean, dry place, such as a closet. Don't put it, say, under a bed or in the garage.

That's off the top of my head. 

Gosh! I was concentrating so much on safety, I forgot the fun part LOL.

As for having FUN, probably the best way is at a furcon participating in activities like the fursuit parade and fursuit games that are designed to create a safe place for fursuiters to do their thing. Next would be furmeets, Good furmeet organizers will set up activities that are fun and safe for fursuiters, such as bowling meets or going to the movies. Third after this would be going to conventions that are furry friendly, such as a comic-con or the Doo-Dah Parade or Renaissance Faires. Next, might be charity events. For example, there is a group of furries who participate in charity fundraisers for ALS in honor of the late Dogbomb. Then there are special events such as Halloween or any costume party that might be going on. If you can't find anything, but you know of furries in your area, maybe organize a furmeet in your house.

Now, if you want to fursuit at public places, just make sure there are no restrictions. A big one, obviously, would be a place like a bank that doesn't want masked people inside (LOL). But you might be surprised about where there are restrictions on fursuiting. For example, some parks are privately owned and do not allow fursuiters. And you probably don't want to dress up as a bear or deer in the woods during hunting season (cf. CSI episode "Fur and Loathing").

Stay Furry!
​Papabear