Does my wetsuit fit?

Water is supposed to get in it. That's part of how it keeps you warm. Yeah, that surprised me the first time, too.I think it's impossible to tell if it fits without a picture though. Sorry.

Edited by MacMadame 2009-06-24 1:06 AM

Well I recently purchased my first wetsuit so my experience isn't as plentiful as some others here but I'll offer what I can!

Firstly, as a wetsuit you should get wet!  The idea is that the suit traps a layer of water against your skin and that layer of water is what helps to provide the heat retention of a wetsuit.

As far as fit, thats something you will have to determine.  Mine fits pretty snug but not too much that I feel it limits my ability to breath or move properly.  If you fit in the sizing guidlines of the manufacturer it may just be a matter of getting used to wearing it.

Just my two cents...

If you are not sure whether or not your wetsuit is too tight, then it fits! Really. If you are certain that it is too tight, it's too tight. If you are not certain whther it is too big, then it does not fit, and it is too big. In other words, most people are surprised how snugly they should fit.

First, clip your fingernails short, but still only grab the lined material on the inside of the suit, not the soft runner on outside. Turn most of suit inside out, then pull in on slowly. Keep pulling it up high high high on your hips (snug to your groin) and torso. The fabric will stretch 5X it's normal length, so snug is good. Some small folds and wrinkles are OK, but big folds and wrinkles = too big. Post a photo and we'll all offer up (amateur) fit advice.

Based on your discussion so far, I think it fits, just surprised by the tightness.  I will get a pic today and post it here.  Thanks as always.

I bought my first wetsuit (QR), had it fitted, etc. It was so tight. I was at the top of the range for the 'large' size, in weight and height. But everyone kept telling me it was supposed to be tight. I couldn't really tell how 'constrictive' it was going to be in a swim. I used the glide to get it on, really really tugged at it to fit it properly, etc.

Well, in my first OWS, I just couldn't function in it.  The arms, which seemed fine on dry land, turned out to be so constrictive in the swim. After swimming for a few minutes, every couple of strokes I experienced arm fatigue -- enough so I'd have to stop and rest. And I can easily swim a mile swim. And the chest and neck just never 'loosened up', and I felt like I couldn't breath.

Since then, I've borrowed a larger wetsuit and my OWS went GREAT.

So, learn from my expensive experience. It can actually be too tight. It was really hard to tell dry! 

My brand new wetsuit arrived today.  I've never owned one before and I didn't try one on before ordering, just went by sizing guide.  Are you saying that when I try it on for the first time to verify fit, I should soak it in the tub for a day or so before hand?  Or just try it on straight out of the box?  Thanks

How do you pull it up if you aren't grabbing the outside of it? You kind of HAVE to grab the outside once you get it on your legs to pull it up. Which is the reason you cut your fingernails short.

I have never heard of turning the wetsuit inside out to put it on, or seen anyone do this, ever! ... is this common and does it make it easier to get on?

 

A well fitting wetsuit fits very snug to your body.  The tighter, without restricting movement, the better. Turning a wetsuit inside out and rolling it up your legs, over your hips then put your hand in the end of the sleeve (which should be inside out) and roll the suit up your arms.  Finally zip and make minor adjustments.

For the OP, the best wetsuits minimize the water that gets into the wetsuit but water still gets in - hence the name wetsuit.  It is a common misconception that the water in the wetsuit keeps you warm. This is not true. The water in the wetsuit makes you cold in that it takes heat from your body.  The air bubbles in the neopreme of the wetsuit keep you warm.  If no water got in it would be a dry suit and would get tighter and more restrictive in the water.  You should be wet by the end of your swim but the water should seep in very slowly.

A will fitted wetsuit, when on land and dry, will feel somewhat restrictive but should 'loosen up' in the water.

Edited by Mrdaner 2009-06-24 12:06 PM

Soaking the wetsuit only make a minor difference in comfort and fit, so go ahead and try it on without soaking.  I'd soak it before going for that first swim, though.

Brian

I would have to disagree with part of the bolded statement above. While it is true the water does not keep you warm persay a properly fitted wetsuit will flood with water and then the seals will keep that water in. The water trapped DOES in conjunction with the neoprene act as an insulating (and to some extent thermoregulating) layer, especially once it is heated up by your body heat. If it was only the air bubbles in the neoprene that mattered then it wouldn't matter how good the seal was on the head/hands/feet. You need that layer of stable water as part of the system. (this btw is just my opinion from experimentation and my own knowledge in this area - if you have research/articles that back up your above statement I would love to see them!   )