Wetsuit sizing question - women

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2005-08-26 10:51 AM

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Salem, MA
Subject: Wetsuit sizing question - women

Hi all,

I'm thinking about buying my first wetsuit in the REI sale. It's a Pipeline 19, size large. I fit the height/weight sizing right now (it says large is good for 5'6-6 feet, 145-160 pounds).

I'm 5'6" (that's not likely to change much) and right now I'm 158. However, I'm on my way to a goal weight of somewhere near 140 -- it might even be as low as 135. I carry a lot of my weight in chest, arms, and midsection, and these always seem the last to trim down. My question is: assuming I keep to my plan and lose another 15-20 pounds this season, will this wetsuit be too big for me next season? How 'forgiving' are they, size-wise? Do they have the kind of give and compression you find in Spandex and other sports garments, or are they pretty size-specific? Any of your experience would be appreciated. I'd hate to buy this at the end of the season and have it be too large next season.



2005-08-26 11:07 AM
in reply to: #234615

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Maine
Subject: RE: Wetsuit sizing question - women
Hi Miko-

I am not an expert on wetsuits so I can't give you a very reliable answer. I bought mine (an Ironman - sleeveless) on Ebay w/o trying it on and got lucky because it fits me perfectly. I thought I heard that wetsuits can shrink over time? that might be wrong but maybe that would work in your favor if it were true!

Have you tried it on? Is there an REI near you so you can try it before you buy? I know that my wetsuit would still fit me if I were 10lbs less because it's so stretchy.

Are you doing the W Kennebunk Firemens tri this Sunday?

Susan

Edited by sepakk 2005-08-26 11:12 AM
2005-08-26 11:16 AM
in reply to: #234615

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Salem, MA
Subject: RE: Wetsuit sizing question - women

Hm...there is an REI about an hour away. If I tried to go there tonight, maybe I could try this on and then purchase online, if quantities last. Of course, then I'd have to factor in the $20 in gas it would take!

I'd like to do the Kennebunk race, but I am on call for work this weekend. This is my first tri season ever, and I've only done one race. I didn't know if I'd like it, so I planned just the one race in, and now that I want to continue I find that my schedule doesn't have much room left. Lack of a wetsuit is another factor in late-season New England!

2005-08-26 12:11 PM
in reply to: #234615

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit sizing question - women

Miko,

If you can contact a dealer that does a lot of fittings of the Pipeline 19 suit (like a tri shop) and talk with them, I think that would be a good source of info.  I do not know about the Pipeline 19 fit.  But last year I got a Promotion and was on the border of  two sizes.  The smaller was a better fit (and I tried both).  And Orca's website says that if you are on the border to go with the larger size.  So what I am trying to say (in too many words) is that sizing varies by company.  Hopefully someone familiar with Pipeline 19 will post for you, too

2005-08-26 12:59 PM
in reply to: #234615

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Subject: RE: Wetsuit sizing question - women
Also, if it's a sleeveless...it's gotta go on the smaller side - make sure it fits in the arms/shoulders to keep the water out.
2005-08-26 7:12 PM
in reply to: #234615

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Salem, MA
Subject: RE: Wetsuit sizing question - women
Thanks for the excellent advice. The good news is that I got excellent help from Russ Kuvach at TriRunning and Walking in the Finger Lakes area of New York. They were great; so shop there if you can! Anyway, he said that he had found that most people who were at the upper end of the sizing range (Within 5 pounds) were more comfortable in the next size up -- so they run smallish, in other words. So I would have been all right with the Large.

The bad news is that while I was learning about this and getting my credit card from its drawer at home, all the bargain suits on rei.com sold out.

Oh, well.


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