Custom wetsuit for child the way to go?

[Thalassamania]

It's sometime cheaper to but a suit that's too large and have it tailored.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Fuzz,

Don't be concerned about "having" to buy an item just b/c it was special order. This doesn't mean they paid out of pocket for the item. All it takes is a phone call on their behalf and it arrives. If it doesn't fit, they will either keep it in stock for another kid, or send it back to where ever they got it (along with other items no longer being carried) Never let yourself be guilted into buying an item. If it doesn't fit, shooot, it does'nt fit!!!

 

[Jeff Toorish]

My daughter is 11, very slender and it's tough to find suits. As Pete mentioned, the BARE suits seem to be the best fit.

But, you know, Sammi outgrows her suits every six months, so a custom made suit may be a very expensive temporary solution.

If you can't get a suit that fits perfectly, or at least reasonably well, adding a jacket orvest can sometimes help adjust the fit.

Jeff

 

[Mr.X]

Scuba-Jay-

I went to Sport Chalet, where I normally go (not much to choose from in my area) and they said maybe they could order something for him to try on but I didn't want to be guilted into buying something that "almost fit" just because they had specially ordered it.

To the rest of you guys, thanks for the info.! I did look into Henderson Hyperstretch because that's what the hubby and I have and my son falls between adult and youth sizes there because of height/weight. Body Glove did not have anything either. Sigh...

I'm going to check out the custom sites though to see how they match up to the site I found, horizonwetsuits.com. They have a farmer john combo that I like, the bottom is actually long-sleeved and the top step-in portion is short-sleeved, so that you can use the step-in by itself as a shortie or wear the bottom by itself and still be fully covered! My two pieces of my farmer jane are fairly worthless by themselves.

If you are in the Redondo/Hermosa area Dive n' Surf/Body Glove sometimes offers some interesting bargains as well as odd & a wide range of suits. During the summers I always made it a point to check in. Sometimes the bargains can be unbelievable, sometimes not so great.

X

 

[Doc Intrepid]

I'd go with LiquidFit. They have a great reputation and their prices are not bad at all.

I'd also tell them to add 1" to the arms and legs, so the suit might last you the rest of this year at least...

And while they're making it, have them put a long pocket with a flap that secures using velcro onto each thigh. Won't cost much more and the kid will thank you for the pockets...

Agree with Kraken.

This is something you want to pursue as a father/son thing for many years. One thing I see time after time, in cold water, is real cold kids.

Very few people have fun when they're freezing their butts off.

Sell the suit through your LDS annual sale or something next year, recover part of your investment, and get another one from LiquidFit.

One day your kid will grow up and leave the house. Its gets real quiet for awhile after that. On that day you may be real glad you spent the time with them that you did.

At least I was...

FWIW...

 

[The Kraken]

Well said, Doc . . .

Yep, lots of local dive shops will have an annual "Rummage Sale".

They're fun !!!

One of my fellow "Lake Lanier Looney Birds" made out like a bandit at one of those things.

I'm sure there will be people hovering around you like vultures when you get ready to sell it.

Just make sure you log in somewhere the basic measurements of your young'un so that later on when someone asks, "What size is it?" you can give them some useful information.

the K

 

[123Scuba.com]

Fuzzmutton,

Boy have you pushed one of my buttons !!!

The number of times I've seen a dive shop employee put a wet suit on a youth and heard her/him say, "S/he'll grow into in no time! You'll get a lot more value for your money from it being just a little bit large."

I think that borders on criminal!

I'd like to take that shop monkey, put him or her in a wet suit that's too large and drop him/her in a tank of ice water and yell, "Drink a lot of water, you'll grow into it!"

If the wet suit doesn't fit properly it won't function properly.

I could rant on forever about this, but I'll endeavour to control myself, as much as I don't want to !!!!

CMAN gave some EXCELLENT advice, in my poor opinion, with respect to looking at scubal.com.

One can suit up a youngster in a custom suit a very, very reasonable price that won't be a major consideration when the young diver grows out of the suit.

You want your children's diving experiences to be just as SAFE and COMFORTABLE as yours.

Protect your children . . . .

Safe dives . . . . . . . . .
. . . and safer ascents !

The Kraken

I must completely agree... The suit in my avatar is was actually custom made for me (at the insistence of my father) by Bailey (sp?) back in 1974. My dad paid over $300, dealer cost which was an incredible amount of money (especially for the time). I bet he would tell you I was worth every penny. Thanks Daddy! :10:

 

[Fuzzmutton]

I think I've pretty much made up my mind to have one made. The advice about the 1" on the arms and legs is useful, as my little beanpole has grown taller each year but hardly any heavier, it might make his suit last a little while longer without compromising the fit. Also Kraken's advice on stowing away the measurements for a possible re-sell was excellent! We take good care of our gear so I'm sure it will be in good shape when he has outgrown it.

Umm...Hey Doc Intrepid! What makes you think it will be "father"/son diving?:10:

You know what they say about assuming?....

 

[Doc Intrepid]

uh, oops...



I DO hope you enjoy diving with your son, and truly think that a custom suit may be the best way to go!

Dive safe,

The guy with his foot in his mouth...

 

[The Kraken]

Hey, Doc . . .

How in heck did you manage to get that XXXL Scuba-Pro Jet Fin in your mouth !?!?!?!?!?

the K-urious