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how should a wetsuit fit?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:40 am
by bobthebaker
I need to buy a new wetsuit because my old one tore. To get it really tight before I needed to buy a youth size because i'm so skinny (5'7.5, 128 pounds) but it was hard to move and was way too short for me.

I'm not exactly sure how a wetsuit SHOULD fit. Should it be loose in the armpits, loose at all in the chest, lower back, completely sealed at the wrists/legs/neck?

thanks for any help

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:13 am
by Psilan
Should be tight in all those places. Armpits aren't too bad if they are baggy.

Look for a small size, with a T label (tall).

If all else fails I would suggest getting a custom made wetsuit. Seventhwave here in Christchurch custom fit their wetsuits while still charging the normal shelf price.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:16 am
by MyanRellick
I'm 6'1 and 130 lbs....I fell yoru pain. I've found an ONEILL Medium fits tight enough though, as long as there is a velcro neck closure.

Velcro Neck is for skinny people! 8)

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:38 am
by bobthebaker
MyanRellick wrote:I'm 6'1 and 130 lbs....I fell yoru pain. I've found an ONEILL Medium fits tight enough though, as long as there is a velcro neck closure.

Velcro Neck is for skinny people! 8)


holy crap that's brutal.

I'm thinking of just going over to the Aleeda factory here in H.B. and going custom. I actually went there today but the girl said the custom guy was out for a week, she then was sure i'd fit in a suit and it did feel ok except the armpits were way super loose. I told her I'd just wait for the custom guy's opinion if I should go with a custom suit (250 + 50 dollars more) or not. She gave me this attitude like "ok suit yourself" and I left.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:25 am
by isaluteyou
6'1, 140 here. Shopping for a wetsuit is %&$# I tried a MT which was waaaay to baggy so i tried a Medium which does the job just fine.

Custom is the way to go. Saving up my pennies for that :wink:

Re: how should a wetsuit fit?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:32 am
by TicTac
bobthebaker wrote:I need to buy a new wetsuit because my old one tore. To get it really tight before I needed to buy a youth size because i'm so skinny (5'7.5, 128 pounds) but it was hard to move and was way too short for me.

I'm not exactly sure how a wetsuit SHOULD fit. Should it be loose in the armpits, loose at all in the chest, lower back, completely sealed at the wrists/legs/neck?

thanks for any help


Your not going to get a perfect fit unless its custom made. Most suits will fit more than one size. For example my quiksilver wetsuit is designed to fit people between 5' 6" and 5' 8" so theres a little room for expansion if necessary. Check out wetsuitoutlet.co.uk and follow their size charts. Your suit may be a little loose in certain areas but in general you want a completely sealed suit around the wrists/legs/neck and quite tight around the chest and lower back. I find the armpits are loose on my suit.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:32 am
by sal
MyanRellick wrote:Velcro Neck is for skinny people! 8)


Nah...my wettie fits perfectly everywhere except the neck, which is way too tight and i usually have to un-velcro it and tuck the end back on itself so it's a bit looser!!!

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:57 am
by Johno
I ve got a question how do you know if your wetsuit is to tight, Ive got a 5/3 wetty its hard work to get on but when its on it feels ok apart from my legs feeling elastikated. I cant realy pinch any loose neopren with my fingers

how does every one else wetty fit?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:12 pm
by IdRatherBeSurfing
Johno wrote:I ve got a question how do you know if your wetsuit is to tight, Ive got a 5/3 wetty its hard work to get on but when its on it feels ok apart from my legs feeling elastikated. I cant realy pinch any loose neopren with my fingers

how does every one else wetty fit?


mine is a b!tch to get on, but when im in it there isnt any folds in it to hold water and its lovely and warm

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:12 pm
by Sar
Johno wrote:I ve got a question how do you know if your wetsuit is to tight, Ive got a 5/3 wetty its hard work to get on but when its on it feels ok apart from my legs feeling elastikated. I cant realy pinch any loose neopren with my fingers


exactly the same as me....and when I take it off I have imprints of the stiching on the seams in my skin :oops: surely that IS too tight - im sure over streching it mean it wont last long either

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:12 pm
by TicTac
IdRatherBeSurfing wrote:
Johno wrote:I ve got a question how do you know if your wetsuit is to tight, Ive got a 5/3 wetty its hard work to get on but when its on it feels ok apart from my legs feeling elastikated. I cant realy pinch any loose neopren with my fingers

how does every one else wetty fit?


mine is a b!tch to get on, but when im in it there isnt any folds in it to hold water and its lovely and warm


Same here, you feel like you've been shrink wrapped once you've got the suit on lol

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:15 pm
by Sar
oh maybe not so bad then - I do feel lovely and warm and I can move alright

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:39 pm
by Johno
Sounds like mine fits correctly its warm and tight

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:43 pm
by sal
Johno wrote:Sounds like mine fits correctly its warm and tight


that's what she said! :lol: :lol: :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:44 pm
by TicTac
sal wrote:
Johno wrote:Sounds like mine fits correctly its warm and tight


that's what she said! :lol: :lol: :lol:


Surprised you didn't make some sort of horny comment then considering the level of your hornyness right now! :P

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:52 pm
by sal
TicTac wrote:
sal wrote:
Johno wrote:Sounds like mine fits correctly its warm and tight


that's what she said! :lol: :lol: :lol:


Surprised you didn't make some sort of horny comment then considering the level of your hornyness right now! :P


hehehe! :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:27 pm
by Johno
Woops does sound a bit rude he he

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:05 pm
by GowerCharger
should be tight every where ideally, but not super tight so its hard to get on. New suits will shrink a bit after a while and with the modern stretchy neoprene they use if your suit is too tight then your using up all that extra strechiness and not getting the benefit of it.

I had a custom suit made when i was skinny and it was easily the warmest suit ive ever had, if your a funny shape and surf in cold water it really is worth the extra expense, but get it custom made by a surf wetsuit maker as diving and swimming wetsuits are different and wont be ideal for surfing.