Best brand for someone a little "round" in the middle

[hroark2112]

I'm a terrible height/weight for a wetsuit! At 5'7" tall, being round in the middle makes it tough to get into a wetsuit! Right height = too tight to breathe and right fit in the middle = too long in the arms & legs.

As part of my upcoming training, I will be getting into better shape, so in the future I hope to alleviate this issue. That being said, I'm planning a trip soon to Bonaire and want to find a shorty wetsuit to bring with me. If all goes as planned, 4-6 dives per day might be easier with a shorty.

What brands should I look for? Or should I just go custom and know I'll quite possibly never sell it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[00wabbit]

Akona

im tall and round and tried a whole bunch of suits. Akona was the only brand that went big enough. They seem to have a wider range of sizes. Also they aren't expensive.
A shorty might be easier for you because you won't have to worry about the length.

 

[Islandheart]

The Waterproof brand offers semi-custom suits.

Check our their website and size charts for plus sizes.

 

[jameseg]

There's a few brands that offer "short" and "tall" sizing in addition to the normal S, M, L, XL, etc. Bare is one of those. Take a look at their L short or XL short. I have a Bare Velocity 3/2 full suit that I like a lot. Good stretchiness, which also helps for fit.

Individual tolerance to cold varies, but you may want to consider a full suit for Bonaire. Partly because you'll likely be doing multiple dives per day, and partly because with shore entries, it's nice to have the leg protection of a full suit as you're climbing over/around rocks in the entry zone.

James

 

[KD8NPB]

Aqualung offers short and long sizing.

The large-short is rated for 5'7-5'9, 168-175
The xl-short is rated for 5'7-5'10, 170-178

 

[chauncy19]

check into bare 3/2 -- short large or short medium. works fine for me. i also use a henderson 17oz polyolefin skin that works great in bonaire. use a large but I am not tall. iam 5'8" doesn't seems long and fits my rotund body fine. maybe add a vest to the henderson if you get cold easy. you can add that there if you have to.

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[diveprof]

If you really want a great fit, then go custom: either Wetwear - Design A Custom Wet Suit or AQUAFLITE | Custom made wetsuits. Comfortable. Durable.. However for JUST those warm water locations - Akona, XCel (my fav) or Neosport seem to fill the bill.

 

[chauncy19]

xcel does seem to do the sizing thing well. might look into them myself but reiterate my henderson and bare have worked well for me.
but front zip is great for me which is why I like the henderson and why i may look into the xcel in my future.

 

[Wah]

Bare 3/2 Velocity XL Short (5'8" 200lbs to 225lbs) and 2XL Short (5'8", 225-245lbs). XLS fits my short round body perfectly.... didn't need a custom wetsuit.