Larger Individual - Wetsuit options?

[GunnersTacklebox]

Hi All,

New member here, still doing my PADI training. Looking into options to get a basic wetsuit before my open water dives.
Any suggestions on a basic wetsuit with lots of stretch?

I picked up a cheap Jobe one I could order through my work, but despite the sizing guide saying it would fit me it did not fit.

Any suggestions on a decently priced 2-5mm wet suit with lots of stretch? not overly concerned about thermal insulation, not really bothered too much by cold water. Open to options, coild be a sleeveless, or shorty as well.
Size wise I'm 52" chest currently and 40/42 waist, 6'0 Big belly but losing weight, which is why I don't want to go anything expensive yet.

 

[Cthippo]

O'Neill Reactor comes in up to a 6x or 7x and has some stretch. I have a 3/2 and it it is my daily diver down to 50 degrees. Below that, I have an Akona 7mm that fits fine.

If you are worried about cold, get a good hood and gloves. I did a dive in the bay last week in 50 degree water with my 3/2 and 10mm hood and was fine. Look for Glacier Gloves, which are made for bicyclists, but work great for diving and are a LOT cheaper.

I am 6'1" and 315 lbs.

 

[TravisD]

Henderson has done be well, I'm 6', about 300 - though typically you have to go to their higher end lines (Thermoprene Pro) to get larger sizing. I find that the chest sizing is the most important number to look at on the size charts for neoprene. I think my shorty that I use for the pool is a 5x, and they go to 6x.

Bare does extended sizing tool, but I'm a 48" chest (though wear a 52 jacket) and find that their 4x is just enough for me. And once again, they make you go to the pricer lines to get those sizes...

You're in Canada - do you intend to dive locally much? It's a much bigger investment, but if you intend to do cold water stuff then consider making the investment in a drysuit. I use a 4x Whites/Aqualung/Whites-again Fusion and the design is such that it'll work even if you do lose weight. If you can find a used one you might be well ahead vs investing in neoprene.

BUT! Your instructor will have to be a DS instructor and be open to training you in one in order to use or for OW class. It's worth the discussion though...

You might think you're not bothered much by cold water, but repetitive dives are where dry shines, since you're not climbing back into a cold, damn wetsuit for the 2nd/3rd dive, and even in 'warm' water, repetitive dives over multiple days *will* suck the body heat out of you, and evaporative cooling while you're on the surface will continue to chill you unless you get out and get dry.

 

[GunnersTacklebox]

I don't think I'll be doing a huge amount of cold water diving any time soon. Waters get pretty warm up here over the summers.

Thanks for the tips, like I said, I'm actively losing weight so not looking for anything overly expensive for now, just to get by until I reach my ultimate weight and size goal.

The Reactor looks good, and while a 3XL seems to match my measurements, a 4XL might be more comfortable for now, and the price is good.

Still open to more suggestions too!

 

[Cthippo]

You want a wetsuit to be tighter rather than looser. The more water in the suit the more your body has to work to heat it. You want something that fits tightly, but not so tightly you wear yourself out getting into it.

 

[pdwh]

Hi All,

New member here, still doing my PADI training. Looking into options to get a basic wetsuit before my open water dives.
Any suggestions on a basic wetsuit with lots of stretch?

I picked up a cheap Jobe one I could order through my work, but despite the sizing guide saying it would fit me it did not fit.

Any suggestions on a decently priced 2-5mm wet suit with lots of stretch? not overly concerned about thermal insulation, not really bothered too much by cold water. Open to options, coild be a sleeveless, or shorty as well.
Size wise I'm 52" chest currently and 40/42 waist, 6'0 Big belly but losing weight, which is why I don't want to go anything expensive yet.

Henderson or Akona have been the best fits for me. 6'2", 372 at start, down to 319 now. I used a Henderson 6XL 7mm all winter until it didn't fit anymore because of weight loss. I just got a new Akona 5XL 3mm and it's a perfect fit. I bought an Akona 5mm used for $100 and it's got a lot of dives left in it (used it last night). The Akona Quantum Stretch stuff is nice.

 

[Still Kicking]

Henderson suits are US made and tend to be cut for typical US builds. Also they have very stretchy neoprene blends ...though those are more common these days.

Try on in person if you can.