Help w/ budget XXL suit for nephew.......

[Mark IV]

I've been largely out of the scene for a decade+, so I'm not really up on who's-who and what's-what these days, concerning both manufacturers and retailers, so I figured I'd ask The Matrix here.
I have a nephew that wants to start diving, and he's been messaging me (hoping I could still certify him and another nephew, but I haven't renewed in years), and I'm trying to help out, point them in some right directions, keep them from getting hosed, etc.
He's a first-year county sheriff's deputy, fairly newly married, and with a kid on the way, so he's a bit budget conscious, and I'm looking to get him into at least his own wetsuit and mask before doing a cert course.
Mask deals are pretty easy to find, but wetsuits aren't as easy.
The kid is kinda short and heavy, at 5-10" and about 230, so I'm thinking an XXL? (if we can find one that isn't made for someone 6-3".)
I'm hoping for some recommendations on sizing, and on some solid but economical brands/models, as well as some good on-line sources.
(maybe a Henderson from Leisure pro, and there are deals to be found on ebay, but that can take a lot of sifting).
You get the idea. Any good info is much appreciated......

 

[Marie13]

Henderson and Bare seem to have the larger sizes. Bare is NOT cheap, though.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

Neosport XSpan 5mm in XXL. I'm about his size and that's what I wear and it works fine. It's not going to be like a Scubapro or Mares or Fourthelement but for starting out it will keep him warm and will last him a few years if peroperly taken care of. I bought mine about 4 years ago and I think I paid maybe $130 for IIRC. Neosport is the budget friendly series made by Henderson.

Neosport by Henderson XSPAN Jumpsuit

 

[Mark IV]

Thanks Shortbus (funny handle, BTW!) , I knew Henderson had a decent budget line, but couldn't recall the name of it.
A brand new 5mil for $130 is pretty good. (and the $95 shown in that link, is even better, even though it's backordered. This may well be as good as I'm gonna find, I'll pass that along. )

 

[GreggS]

You may want to check out the Ocean Quest wetsuits at scuba.com. I've bought some of the OQ items including a 7mm wetsuit. I'm 6' and 245 lbs and the 3XL fits me perfectly. According to their sizing chart, a XXL should fit your nephew.

While I haven't had the wetsuit long enough to verify the longevity of the products it does seem to be very well made. They are priced very inexpensively if price is a major factor.

I normally wear a Henderson Thermaxx 3mm which I really love. I bought the 7mm OQ so I could start diving a little earlier in the year since most of my local diving is in colder quarries that don't start warming up until June.

 

[lexvil]

Scuba.com is having a killer sale, I just bought an Akona 1mm for $50, already had 2 but at that price...

Look at the close out stuff, if you find something that fits it will likely be a bargain.

 

[JackD342]

Thanks Shortbus (funny handle, BTW!) , I knew Henderson had a decent budget line, but couldn't recall the name of it.
A brand new 5mil for $130 is pretty good. (and the $95 shown in that link, is even better, even though it's backordered. This may well be as good as I'm gonna find, I'll pass that along. )

Unless Henderson is making XSpan just for Leisurepro, that sub-brand is discontinued for a few years. That was probably an old close-out price at that link, don’t expect them to get more in.

 

[Zef]

Aqualung balance comfort 5.5mm wetsuit in size xl should fit your nephew at 5ft 10inch height and about 230lbs.

The aqualung sizing guide for this suit is as follows:
XL: 5ft 11inch - 6ft 2inch and 195-220lbs
L: 5ft 10inch- 6ft 1inch and 180-200lbs
XL Short: 5ft 7inch - 5ft 10inch and 190-210lbs

The neoprene of this suit is supple and stretchy and should accommodate 230lbs without problem.

I have size large, am 5'10" and have used my suit when I weighed 220lbs....an XL should fit your nephew well.

-Z

 

[Austinschlor]

$300

 

[Sam Miller III]

check Dano on this board
@MAKO Spearguns

great quality -- great prices.
SDM