7mil wetsuit for a fat guy

[Barnaby'sDad]

For a big guy...Henderson is going to be the most generous off-the-rack sizing. They go up to 6X.

For what it’s worth, I have a Henderson 5mm full and it’s not difficult to get out of it.

 

[kelemvor]

Thank you for all of the information! I can tell being part of Scubaboard is going to hurt my wallet...

It certainly decimated my wallet. I probably would never have heard of most of the dive gear I currently own if not for scubaboard.

 

[Chip Collins]

I ended up talking to Terrapin for a 7mil. Once I get more dives in it sounds like a dry suit is the way to go.

 

[Marie13]

I ended up talking to Terrapin for a 7mil. Once I get more dives in it sounds like a dry suit is the way to go.

You don’t have to get more dives in to get a drysuit. I got certified OW and drysuit at the same time. It’s quite common, depending on location.

 

[Chip Collins]

You don’t have to get more dives in to get a drysuit. I got certified OW and drysuit at the same time. It’s quite common, depending on location.

I really do run hot. From sleeping with the windows open during the winter, never wearing a jacket, and spending all of my time growing up in the bay year round for hours at a time. Since I was fine in my 5mil, in 50 degree water, I want to see how the 7mil does for me. I usually research everything for a couple of months so I'm a well informed buyer. I'm finding the amount of people who make drysuits are many. I've just started researching and comparing them.

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

You’ll enjoy the 7mm this winter. There’s a difference between being “fine” in a 5mm in cold water and being comfortable.

I’m in the same boat as you cold tolerance wise. I don’t mind down to about 50* in a 5mm, but I have gutted-out dives down to 44.6*.

The other issue is repetitive dives. You might think you’re “fine” in a 5mm at 50* on dive one, but by the time you’ve gotten to dives 2, 3, or 4...you start feeling the cold.

 

[kelemvor]

I ended up talking to Terrapin for a 7mil. Once I get more dives in it sounds like a dry suit is the way to go.

Congrats! Hopefully it will keep you comfortable for years to come. Drysuits are great but just stupid expensive. I think it's the fourth most expensive thing I own. House, car, computer, drysuit. I'm pretty sure the only reason they're expensive is low volume of manufacture. They don't appear to be the least bit complicated.

 

[W W Meixner]

I have a 5mil Akona wetsuit that caters to the more "robust" people. I'd like to find a 7mil custom suit that will have leg and arm zippers but I don't know where to begin looking. I was reading all of the wetsuit threads but they seem to be about off the rack wetsuits.
For everyone's amusement I will tell you why my Akona wetsuit is now on Ebay. My right foot got stuck in the suit and I tried to kick out of it while holding onto the wetsuit. I ended up snapping every tendon in my right bicep, chipping bone in my elbow, and I had to have surgery. SO.... Leg zippers from here on out.

Hey Chip...

Contact Oceaner in Vancouver...they can custom fabricate a suit for you that will fit properly...

Stay away from anything XXX...it may fit you around your trunk...but the rest of the suit will fit you and two small elephants...

You can probably look to spend something in the neighbourhood of 700+...

They have a special foil impregnated neoprene...I've ordered them for shop customers in the past...great suits...

Oceaner's turn-around for a custom suit is approx 3 weeks...

Best...

Warren

 

[Kensei]

Google '7till8' they're another custom wetsuit maker...

Second this advice. They made a 7mm suit for me and you can get both ankle and wrist zippers put in. Top of the line Yamamoto neoprene. Fits extremely well. Price includes shipping. Custom suits include free repairs for life of suit. I've already had small repairs and a zipper replaced for free.

 

[Chip Collins]

Second this advice. They made a 7mm suit for me and you can get both ankle and wrist zippers put in. Top of the line Yamamoto neoprene. Fits extremely well. Price includes shipping. Custom suits include free repairs for life of suit. I've already had small repairs and a zipper replaced for free.

That was my plan until I contacted them and found out they are out of neoprene. I think their wetsuits look pretty sharp.