General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Can a wetsuit shrink? Rss Feed  
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2007-05-07 1:56 PM

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Veteran
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Chicago (Old Town)
Subject: Can a wetsuit shrink?
Stupid question alert!!!

Haven't put on my wetsuit in about 2 years.. Wow. Tried it on last night.. It's a lot tighter than before. Can barely get my legs all the way in.. But I think I'm skinnier (or at least not any bigger) than I was when I bought the thing.. I've had to bring in slacks that I owned at the time I bought the wetsuit, so I have to be skinnier, right?

Assuming I haven't gotten any bigger, is it possible for it to have shrunk? If it did shrink, is there anything I can do / soak it in to make it stretchy again? I was afraid I was going to rip the thing trying to pull it up my legs last night.. Or do I just have a warped sense of self and can't admit when I've gotten softer in the middle and am blaming the wetsuit...

Checked Orca's website and according to their charts it's my size.. I'm even on the lighter side of the weight range for the size..

????


2007-05-07 1:59 PM
in reply to: #791724

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?
I don't think so.

Even if you are skinner, you might have more muscles than before? Maybe your legs are beefier and the wetsuit isn't fitting anymore because of that?

I have found that just because you fit the size on the chart, doesn't mean the wetsuit will fit. Some wetsuits are made for people with very slender legs, and small chests and others are not.

I know the Orca is a slim wetsuit- whereas the QR is made to fit someone with thighs that have muscle in them.
2007-05-07 1:59 PM
in reply to: #791724

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Champion
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Nashville, TN
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?
This is often the case with race suits and wet suits.  Pending that you haven't gotten any bigger, try soaking the wetsuit a few times.  Since it hasn't been used in a while it probably just needs to be stretched out a bit.  Keeping working yourself in and out of it and you should be fine. 
2007-05-07 2:47 PM
in reply to: #791724

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?
Along the lines of what ADollar said -- the suit will "dry out" and lose some of its resiliency. Soak it a little bit, then let it surface dry, THEN try it on. I bet it'll go on a lot easier.
2007-05-07 3:31 PM
in reply to: #791724

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Veteran
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Chicago (Old Town)
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?
Cool beans. I'll try soaking it tonight.. Gonna pick up some baby shampoo to clean it off, too.. Thanks for everyone's help! Also I didn't think of it until just now, but I don't think I've ever worn the thing without my tri shorts, which I'm guessing the wetsuit will slide against with much more ease than my legs..

2007-05-07 4:02 PM
in reply to: #791724

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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?


2007-05-08 10:41 AM
in reply to: #791724

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Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?

Dude ... it's because you've gotten fat ... don't deny it!  It's all those wings and beer like you did the night before the Celtic Solstice.

("Re-hydrate" it and then try to put it on, it should be fine).

2015-08-21 3:42 PM
in reply to: julio26pt2

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Chicago (Old Town)
Subject: RE: Can a wetsuit shrink?
Whoa! Thank you past-me looking out for future me!

Googled this question about my current wetsuit and this was the first result. Guess that answers that....
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