How tight is a wetsuit supposed to be?

They're supposed to be snug everywhere: against your crotch, around your torso, around your shoulders. When you bent over, there should be few if any folds at the hip and belly.

I don't think Sports Authority has swimming wetsuits with the necessary thin panels where they flex for a swim stroke. You'll probably want to go to a tri shop that has a variety of tri brands. If you click around, you can find name brands for between $100 for a sleeveless to $200 for a full sleeve suit.

I'm pretty sure bodyglove only makes surfing and diving suits.  I wore one of my father-in-laws surfing wetsuits for my first tri simply because i didn't know any better.  That was a mistake because the material in the shoulders and armpits are not ment for nonstop swimming motion.  Halfway through the swim i had awful chafing rashes in my pits it was horrible.  You will want to get a tri specific suit, it will save you from having to buy anothe suit later.  I know USAT is having a sale on their suits: http://usatriathlonwetsuits.com/products.htm and if you look around online or at local shops alot of last years models are on sale.  I just picked up a brand new '09 zoot synergy for 40% off.  Hope this helps a bit.

Excellent points. I hadn't considered the difference between a diving/surfing suit and a tri suit.

I looked at the link provided. Seems they have a reasonably priced suit my size.

Thanks for the tips!

I just picked up an Xterra suit using the BT discount code "BT".  Suit was listed at $400.  After our discount it was only $179!

http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/

Sounds like a poor fitting wetsuit for you.

My boyfriend bought us both Xterra's... and mine fit me weird in the neck and arm holes. It choked me. Had I not worn a wetsuit that did not choke me, I would have thought this is how wetsuits fit. They don't fit that way. My Zoot Fuzion never chokes me.

Return it. Get another brand of wetsuit.

Yeah every suit is different.  I tried on a blue seventy which alot of people seem to like, but I felt like was fighting me and it was winning.  My zoot fits like a glove though.  Oh also very important get yourself some Body Glide(pick it up at your local running store) it will help you get your suit off if you put some around your ankles and wrist.

This user's post has been ignored.