Surfing Waves

Hi guys,

I have bought my first wetsuit online and I am not sure about the fit.
So far, I always rented wetsuits size S and I always find them to be a good fit. So I decided to buy one online with confidence and I found a really good price for the RipCurl Dawn Patrol 4/3mm

But to be honest, putting it on I feel it tight especially around the shoulders and arms and a bit my thighs... I struggled to get in. Movements overall are ok, I don't feel like it is restrictive.
Is it normal to feel a brand new one tighter at the beginning? Would it likely to get better later?

I chose S, but now I am thinking that maybe I should have got the MS... what do you guys think?

This is me (metrics and imperial)
Height 173cm (68)
Weight 70kg (155)
Chest 100cm (39)
Waist 75cm (29.5)
Seat 93cm (36.6)
Thigh 57cm (22.4)


This is the RipCurl Dawn Patrol 4/3 size S
Height 170-175cm (67-69)
Weight 60-70kg (132-154)
Chest 95cm (37.4)
Waist 76cm (29.9)
Seat 89cm (35)
Thigh 51cm/(20)


This is the RipCurl Dawn Patrol 4/3 size MS
Height 170-175cm(67-69)
Weight 65-70kg (145-154)
Chest 100cm (39.4)
Waist 81cm (31.9)
Seat 92cm (36)
Thigh 53cm (20.8 )

I still have time to return it.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

Yes I'd probably get the MS instead. if it's too tight it will wear out quickly and tire you out too.

any specific reason you say that?

I am thinking of ordering the MS and compare them together to better decide and then return the other one, or I feel like I will have doubt again

Therebye lies the point of your local surfshop, i accept some places don’t have them.
Support the shop, try their range of brand get one that fits there, buy it there, these guys need protection and custom.
Build a relationship for all your needs!

Standing up straight won't give you a good read out. Squat down and wrap your arms around your legs tight like doing a canon ball into the pool.

But just looking at the CHEST measurement, you should go with the MS size.

Also use a small plastic bag to place over your hand ( and foot ) to help slide the wetsuit on easier.

Additional point: once wet the suit will stretch about 10%. After a few good uses, it'll remain that way. So, you have to determine if that'll work or whether you need to exchange for MS.

Ja, you should have bought directly from retail surf shop. You prolly wouldn't be going through this.

waikikikichan wrote:Standing up straight won't give you a good read out. Squat down and wrap your arms around your legs tight like doing a canon ball into the pool.

But just looking at the CHEST measurement, you should go with the MS size.

Also use a small plastic bag to place over your hand ( and foot ) to help slide the wetsuit on easier.

Looking at the measurements it seems like the MS should fit better for the CHEST but not for the WEIST.

Which of them do you think I should look at first?

Also, I will try again with your suggestion.

jaffa1949 wrote:Therebye lies the point of your local surfshop, i accept some places don’t have them.
Support the shop, try their range of brand get one that fits there, buy it there, these guys need protection and custom.
Build a relationship for all your needs!

Yeah I kind of regret buying it online now and considering the hard times we are going through you are right man.
But the deal was really good and too tempting :/
Also, it would not possible to buy and try them at the local shop with the restriction we have in Europe because of the virus.

billie_morini wrote:Additional point: once wet the suit will stretch about 10%. After a few good uses, it'll remain that way. So, you have to determine if that'll work or whether you need to exchange for MS.

Ja, you should have bought directly from retail surf shop. You prolly wouldn't be going through this.

This is actually what concerns me the most. It's my first brand new wetsuit so I have no idea I should feel like. Is it normal that it fits tighter at the beginning? Is there any rule of thumb in this case?
I am afraid of aiming for comfort now and then in the water after a few sessions it gets loose.

I think a good way to proceed now it to buy the MS and compare them at home.

It will fit your chest and thighs better which is where you said the S is tight. I wouldn't worry about a bit of slack in the waist too much. It's not a critical part of your surfing movement. Eat more pies if you're worried.

A quick update.

In the end, after I talked with the dealer I decided to keep the size S. I tried also few movements as suggested by @waikikikichan and it felt ok to me.

So today I went for a swim, no waves now, to get the feeling and I think it is tight but snug enough, ideally will stretch a bit.