Are there any good wetsuit companies out there that make wetsuits for, um, women who aren't supermodel-sized? I'm in pretty good shape, but I'm not a small woman, and finding a wetsuit cut for a woman seems like searching for a needle in a haystack. I've seen men's suits up to size 6X - what about a 1X for women?
Ladies' Wetsuit Sizes
- Thread starter ScubaCanoe
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Bare has a huge range of mens and womens sizes, not just the basic sizes but Tall and +sized varriations, check them out.
http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/bareshop/dive.asp
Don't settle for a ppor fitting suit, custom is always an option and the upcharge is very modest for a made to fit YOU suit. Search the Exposure protection forum
Pete
http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/bareshop/dive.asp
Don't settle for a ppor fitting suit, custom is always an option and the upcharge is very modest for a made to fit YOU suit. Search the Exposure protection forum
Pete
DiveMaven
Contributor
Seek out and try on a Henderson Hyperstretch suit. IMO it's the most comfortable, and forgiving suit on the market. It's so stretchy and forgiving of body type that you can gain or lose 20# and it will still fit you!! It's the only wetsuit I'll own and wear.
DiveMe:
I'd second the hyperstretch advice - find somewhere that you can try them on - there is some leeway in the sizing with them - even compared to other hendersons. I needed a size larger in Henderson's goldcore than I did in the hyperstretch.
Hyperstretch is comfortable, but I have had two and both started falling apart after about 75 dives. My wife had a "fit" issue and she went with 2 custom made Harveys; a 3mm & 7mm. She loves them has over 200 dives on one and it looks new.
I too would have to recommend the hyperstrech. I find it odd that someone had problems with it after only 75 dives. My hyperstrech has well over 200 dives on it and has been loaned to students and I've never had a problem.
Henderson was one of the first to come up with the hyper strech design and other have tried to copy it. I have tried many other "strech" suits and none compare to my henderson. I have one in a 7mm, 3mm long and 3mm shorty and other than my drysuit wouldn't consider another suit.
Good Luck.
Henderson was one of the first to come up with the hyper strech design and other have tried to copy it. I have tried many other "strech" suits and none compare to my henderson. I have one in a 7mm, 3mm long and 3mm shorty and other than my drysuit wouldn't consider another suit.
Good Luck.
The hyperstretch is an awesome material...I agree.
A girl diver buddy of mine went with the Harvey's suit, however, and it fit like a wetsuit should... She has also had to have her drysuit custom made, but really, the fit is worth it.
As women, we need to make sure that the suit is properly fitted, as we generally have issues with the cold and need the extra help. So, if you're looking at an off the rack suit...be sure to make sure the torso/leg lengths are good...if not...go with the custom suit.
GIRLDIVER
http://www.girldiver.com
A girl diver buddy of mine went with the Harvey's suit, however, and it fit like a wetsuit should... She has also had to have her drysuit custom made, but really, the fit is worth it.
As women, we need to make sure that the suit is properly fitted, as we generally have issues with the cold and need the extra help. So, if you're looking at an off the rack suit...be sure to make sure the torso/leg lengths are good...if not...go with the custom suit.
GIRLDIVER
http://www.girldiver.com
ch0ppersrule
Contributor
I use XCEL and they make wetsuits specifically for men and women. A lot of other wetsuits don't fit me, but XCEL makes them right where we are. You could look up their website and see how much it would cost to have one made for you. I usually buy last years models (cheaper). Haven't tried the Henderson, but I know people who use them and love them. I am not their shape, but I am perfectly happy with mine.
Melissa
Melissa
There is no free lunch here.
A hyper stretch suit will stretch and fit a wide range of body forms but at a price.
If you stretch a suit it stands to reason that the thickess is reduced in proportion to the fit. Less thickness means less insulating bubbles between you and the cold water.
The same properties that allow it to stretch make it more susecptible to crushing at depth and that makes for a less warm suit. This is often cited by users.
The lining is more suceptible to Velcro damage but this is usually just cosemtic pilling and not the end of the world.
The compaints of poor durability are not unheard of here on the forum and at best quality must be spotty.
Some dealers really sell hyperstretch hard and obviously stuff too much diver into some of them to make the sale. This probably accounts for some of the early failures.
There is a reason why hybrid suits like the Bare Velocity series are made with a mix of materials to get the best mix of attributes.
At the end of the day there is no substitute for a perfect fit and quality neoprene.
Pete
A hyper stretch suit will stretch and fit a wide range of body forms but at a price.
If you stretch a suit it stands to reason that the thickess is reduced in proportion to the fit. Less thickness means less insulating bubbles between you and the cold water.
The same properties that allow it to stretch make it more susecptible to crushing at depth and that makes for a less warm suit. This is often cited by users.
The lining is more suceptible to Velcro damage but this is usually just cosemtic pilling and not the end of the world.
The compaints of poor durability are not unheard of here on the forum and at best quality must be spotty.
Some dealers really sell hyperstretch hard and obviously stuff too much diver into some of them to make the sale. This probably accounts for some of the early failures.
There is a reason why hybrid suits like the Bare Velocity series are made with a mix of materials to get the best mix of attributes.
At the end of the day there is no substitute for a perfect fit and quality neoprene.
Pete
DiveMaven
Contributor
I've heard a lot of people say that the Hyperstretch is less warm than a traditional neoprene suit, and while that may be the case, at least for me I'm happy to compromise some warmth for comfort. It was wonderful to dive 4x a day in my 5mm Hyperstretch and never have to struggle in or out of the suit, even when it was wet.
But a custom suit is an excellent suggestion. Liquidfit also does custom suits for a reasonable price, and I've heard they have excellent quality.
But a custom suit is an excellent suggestion. Liquidfit also does custom suits for a reasonable price, and I've heard they have excellent quality.
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