Drysuit fit question

[Barriecuda]

Can anyone tell me how lose a tri-laminate drysuit should fit?
I just purchase a Gates drysuit, according to the manufacturers sizing chart I knew it would be a little tall for me, but everything else should fit. When I got it, it seemed huge. Anyway heres how it fits on me.... With arms folded across front, back across zipper is not really tight but I guess you would say snug, not to the point where it would rip or be uncomfortable. With the air let out I have approx. 1-2" on each side of the waist and hips extra. Upper leg approx. 2-3" extra. With arms lifted straight up fits taunt not tight. I'm able to fold the material on the legs over the top of the boot by approx. 4-5". I wear a size 8 5mil wetsuit boot and the boot on this suit is size 8, but I have a good inch to the tip of the boot.
Do you feel I should have this suit altered or just leave it the way it is?
Any input would be great

Thanks
Safe Diving
Barriecuda

 

[DA Aquamaster]

You need to be able to crouch down with your knees fully bent and tucked up to your chest without feeling any strain in the suit with the insulating underwear on. (if there is strain it will usually be around your butt. If there is no strain the suit is long enough for you. This is a saftey issue as you need to be able to bend fully to attach fins etc. If you have to err in dry suit sizing erring on the loose side is preferable to going small and losing mobility and straining a seam that will eventually leak.

When is big too big is another issue. I like the lower part of the legs to be a little snug as it prevents air from moving around and allows a head down position without popping your feet out of the boots. But it is really a moot point if you stick to normal positions and keep a minimum amount of air in the suit.

An extra inch in the end of the boot should not effect anything and the extra material at the waist and upper leg should be ok. I would be potentially concerned about the 4-5 inches of extra lenght at the ankle, but in many cases a snug fitting pair of ankle weights over the top of the boots will prevent air from entering the boots in large quantities and prevent any problems. A lot of people are opposed to using ankle weights but they work well for this purpose.

I'd suggest diving the suit in a controlled environment and see if you have any problems with it. This does not really mean a pool as you need to wear the underwear to determine how well it fits and the temps in a pool will overheat you in a hurry.

If you have problems you could probably get the legs of the suit shortened a bit depending on the cut and taper of the lower leg (but the amount they can be easily shortend is limited by the need to still fit on the boots. This could also be done at the same time you install a smaller boot. Alternatively, they can do surgery now where they can lenghten your legs.

 

[Barriecuda]

Thanks DA Aquamaster

I'll give it a try and see how it fits. I was out by the water the other day and saw a guy putting on a shell drysuit and I was asking him alot of questions. What he uses on his suit boot (I don't know what to call it, but will try and describe it) it looks like a rubber Y where one part goes over the top of the boot, one part goes under the boot and one part goes behind the heel. Have you ever seen these things or know what there called and if so would that work with keeping the air out or would that be just to hold the boot on your foot.

Safe Diving
Barriecuda

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I know what you are talking about and it is basically worn like a set of spurs over the boot. I've never used them personally but they should work as long as they are snug enough.

 

[Munin]

They're called "Fin Keepers" and sold by Trident for about $6. They work very well, I know a few people that use them, myself included.