Is it better to be tall or short in scuba diving?

[CT-Rich]

The world is increasingly built with challenges for taller than average people: clothing and shoe sizes, legroom on airplanes, low roofs/luggage compartments/boat overhangs, elevator floor buttons at waist level is a pet peeve. One size fits all? Hah!

I grew up in the seventies. Life is so much better now. I can find stores that have clothes that fit, I can online order the most obscure items as long as they are being manufactured somewhere. I can wear an off the rack henderson wetsuit in my size. That has not always been true...

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

One thing I found that surprised me a lot as far as suits go for tall people.
Finding an off the rack suit at any dive shop has always been a bitch. By the time I get the length I need I'm floating in it because somehow they think that if you're tall you're also wide.
I ordered a Pinnacle Cruiser 3XL 7mm one piece that I use with a hooded vest pulled over.
First I ordered a 2XL thinking it might work. To
my surprise the length was fine! but the body was too tight especially in the chest and arms. So I sent it back and got the 3XL. The length is actually a tad long for me and I'm 6'4", but the body and arms are about right. The only thing is the arms are 5 mil which for around here is a little skimpy but for Socal lobster diving and Tahoe in summer it will be perfect.
So I just wanted to pass that little tid bit onto you tall guys.

 

[tridacna]

All this “tall” chatter.

Game changer for me was when Henderson introduced their SHORT wetsuits. For us vertically challenged folks (5’8 with a 28” inseam), this finally meant that I could buy an off the rack suit that wasn’t a shortie.

 

[rhwestfall]

I've never found anything off the rack to be even close. I'm 6'-7", 230#. 46" in the chest, and 36" in the waist. Add to that a 36" inseam and 38" sleeve, there is nothing but custom..

Just to get certified, I had a custom suit made. After college (and college sports) I put on 50#, and with a real job, a drysuit was made for me. Then a 7mm 1-piece for when water is warm.

Let's not talk about bc or plate adventures..

 

[34109411]

That’s the Costanza line of fins, right?

 

[34109411]

One thing I found that surprised me a lot as far as suits go for tall people.
Finding an off the rack suit at any dive shop has always been a bitch. By the time I get the length I need I'm floating in it because somehow they think that if you're tall you're also wide.
I ordered a Pinnacle Cruiser 3XL 7mm one piece that I use with a hooded vest pulled over.
First I ordered a 2XL thinking it might work. To
my surprise the length was fine! but the body was too tight especially in the chest and arms. So I sent it back and got the 3XL. The length is actually a tad long for me and I'm 6'4", but the body and arms are about right. The only thing is the arms are 5 mil which for around here is a little skimpy but for Socal lobster diving and Tahoe in summer it will be perfect.
So I just wanted to pass that little tid bit onto you tall guys.

yah i am 6,2 and about 230 they try to put me on a 2 xl that didn't work. I also wear a 3 XL. Fit me like a glove.