How do I know if BC is too big?

[Guppie]

I just bought a large (online) because my sizing fit large according to size chart. I average 185 pounds (mountain bike racer so weight fluctuates from 180 to 188), I'm 6'1 and my waist is a 34. My chest is 43ish. I'm athletic built. Here'a oceanic's sizing:

SIZE HEIGHT WEIGHT CHEST WAIST
SM 5'2"-5'7" 120-155 30-40" 30-38"
MD 5'7"-6'0" 150-175 34-44" 32-40"
LG 5'11"-6'2" 180-210 38-48" 34-42"
XL 6'2"-6'5" 195-240 40-50" 38-46"

Now, I tried this on at the dive shop and the owner said I was a large. But he had no mediums and seemed to push other products as well. I tried this on at home, with no wetsuit, but over sweatshirt and it felt big. I adjusted the cumberband SIGNIFICANTLY and I can finally get it to fit snug. When I pull on the sholder straps, I can pull them all the way down to the end before those snug up. Can't really adjust those.

I am diving in Michigan so I have a 7mm wetsuit coming (also a 5mm and 3mm). Obviously there will be times I layer the 7mm with the 3mm to get additional warmth.

I called to local dealers and none have a medium in stock. But one said they do have an XL. Dork.

This is my first BC so any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[superstar]

Put a cylinder on the BC and then try it on.

 

[Brewski]

when it floats up over your head.

Seriously. you want your cumberbund to be around your navel area. It is possible to over tighten the chest straps and pull the cumberbund up too high. When you snug up the shoulder straps are you pulling the bc up?

From the sizing chart it looks like the right choice. but how does it feel? it should be secure but not to tight.

can you post a picture of you trying it on?

 

[Guppie]

Put a cylinder on the BC and then try it on.

I did that the other day (don't own a tank) when I had a tank. That's what prompted my question. I wasn't sure if it was fitting right or not.

Maybe like the other guy said, I'm just overtightening it.

 

[redacted]

With online purchases, you can usually still save quite a bit if you order 2 and return 1. You do seem to be a bit in between, but the LG sure looks like it will work, especially when you add the wet suit. Unless you are planning on shrinking.

 

[superstar]

What BC did you buy?

 

[Scuba.com]

Typically, when you try on the BC in plain clothes, you want to adjust the waist snug and then the shoulder straps. If you have at least 1 to 2 inches of adjustment left after the BC is snug you have a good fit. It sounds like you are on the lower end of the sizing. You might want to try the next size down to compare the fit.

 

[Guppie]

Oceanic Excursion. I am thinking there is no way I have 1-2 inches left of adjustment on the shoulder straps. I think they were all the way down. I'll try again after work tonight.

I don't plan on shrinking. Actually with only one race left (Saturday), mountain biking is done. That's when I hit weights hard and start to put weight on to the 188 mark. I still maintain 8-10% body fat so the additional weight shouldn't affect the fit at all.

 

[Eris Lucan7*]

the most ppl buy to big id seen!

E.L.7*

 

[evil_xander]

If you can tighten the shoulder straps all the way on the surface, there's a big chance it will be too big underwater, and that it will ride up a bit. My jacket used to do that, even though it was a snug fit on the surface. You should have about 1/4 of the shoulder strap left when it's a snug fit, not tightened all the way.

But, I don't care any more, sold the thing and bought a BC with continuous one piece harness, something I should have done initially and saved myself some money.