My boots ruined my wetsuit

[northernone]

Here's a variation on the same theme that I found works even better.

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Cutting the seam near the opening this way reduces the stress without significantly increasing the reduction in stretch inherent in a seam. The major stress is nearly perpendicular to the seam.

This image is of a custom suit that came from Greece a little shorter than I prefer. I cut the leg shorter near the largest point in the calf at about a 45° angle. A straight perpendicular cut would reduce stretch much more. I then used the piece I cut off as a pattern for cutting the replacement but added about 2" to the length.

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Superb attention to detail.

It's normally wetsuit over boots. 7mm suits and 5 or 7mm boots. I'd be disappointed in the suit material if it wasn't good for hundreds of dives (above crush depth). Even with fairly rough use student suit legs aren't baggy.

Legs over boots ís usefíl for "flushing" unless it's particularly cold and diving with cloth taped seams. I dígress.

Were the legs clearly sized to nöt fit over boots?

 

[Akimbo]

Superb attention to detail.

Thanks, but intolerant of suit failures is far more accurate.

Dick Long (DUI's founder) came up with the best wetsuit crotch design I have ever seen and am dumbfounded it isn't universally copied. Nothing takes more of a beating than company-provided hot water suits used by commercial divers and his "cloverleaf crotch design" is about the only part of the suit that I have never seen fail (mostly from serious abuse).

The principal is simple, distribute forces to minimize stress on seams in their weakest direction. Secondarily, design the seams so the don't compromise stretch in directions it is needed the most. Simple and elegant.

 

[MargaritaMike]

Yes, the 6.5mm boots were a "workaround" for a pair of fins I wanted, the Mares Avanti Quattro's. I have size 7 women's feet, and the thin 3mm ankle booties I had would not work for those fins. As it turns out, even the 6.5mm boots don't work for those fins. And on top of that, they ruined my wetsuit. Now, I have to get a new wetsuit and new boots. My mistakes and lessons learned are costing me a lot of money!

My wife wears size 7 also and has the Mares Avanti Quattro's. The boots she uses are a 3 mm ankle boot. She gets cold just looking at an ice cube. I will go through her gear and try to find out what brand they are. She's had them for 20+ years.
Cheers and Happy New Year - M²

and

 

[Steve_C]

Not all 5 mm boots are the same width. I had a pair that had a bit thicker and wider sole that were hard to fit in my favorite fins. Bought another pair of boots the same size with a bit thinner sole and they fit no problem.

 

[dlofting]

I have Hollis Bat fins that I bought to use with a drysuit. When I dive in warm water I wear neoprene socks and paddling boots from MEC and they work fine. You might want to take a look at their website as their neoprene items tend to be a bit cheaper than the dive shops....or if they're close to you go down to the store. As you probably know, MEC will take back anything that you're not satisfied with.

 

[TMHeimer]

My procedure-- 7 mil farmer john wetsuit pant legs over boots.
I am on my 2nd used wetsuit in 13 years diving. Never a problem with pant leg bottoms stretching--but, I always wear the same booties and if I'm not wearing the farmer john I'm wearing the shorty, so I don't know if any farmer john stretching ever occurs.
Pee--Hose down a leg to slightly separate wetsuit from leg, allowing pee to flow out better. Must be the correct thickness and not too stiff or flexible a hose. Rinse wetsuit leg(s)--and your own if you prefer-- with baby shampoo after every dive. Won't smell.
Thoroughly flushing out wetsuit (when it's off I assume) while you're still in the water as suggested may be a choice a long ways South of here. I'm not gunna stand in 45F water yesterday to do that.

 

[gcarter]

I have always put the wet suit over the boots, and I have always told my students to do that, too. as Vicko said, if you do that you don't have water entering your boots the whole dive.

That said, a 6.5 mm boot is pretty thick. Most standard boots sold in the shops around here are 5mm--I know the shop I use most does not even stock anything thicker. If I am diving in a warm water site like Cozumel, I will often wear slipper style boots that are thin and don't even cover the ankle.

As do I. 3mm slip on booties for warm water. Too low to pull over or tuck. I have never worn a boot thicker than 5mm and I have done more cold water dives than warm - cold down to 3.5C. Wetsuit always pulled over.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I have Aqua Lung’s Ellie boot (either 5 or 7mm, I forget) and all my wetsuits are their Aqua Lung Aqua Flex suits that are super stretchy. I have the 3mm, 5mm, and 8/7 semidry. My 5mm is my workhorse for vacation diving and my 8/7 is local diving only. My 3mm is pool only so far.

I always have my boots under my wetsuit regardless if it’s 45F or 85F. I have never had this issue. My workhorse 5mm suit has had about 60+ dives on it in this manner, many of them being on a liveaboard where it’s on and off 4-5 times a day seeing repeated stretch action. No issues.

I agree with the suggestion that you reach out to the manufacturer to see if they will do anything about it. If not, come on over to the Aqua Flex suits. They’re amazing! Our whole dive group has them. They fit a large variety of body types, shapes and sizes and are super easy on and off. It’s why I have so many of them, including a hooded vest.

 

[clownfishsydney]

Everyone I know (and they have minimum of 1000 dives) puts wetsuit over boots. No idea why you would even consider the other way.

 

[Dogbowl]

I have Aqua Lung’s Ellie boot (either 5 or 7mm, I forget) and all my wetsuits are their Aqua Lung Aqua Flex suits that are super stretchy. I have the 3mm, 5mm, and 8/7 semidry. My 5mm is my workhorse for vacation diving and my 8/7 is local diving only. My 3mm is pool only so far.

I always have my boots under my wetsuit regardless if it’s 45F or 85F. I have never had this issue. My workhorse 5mm suit has had about 60+ dives on it in this manner, many of them being on a liveaboard where it’s on and off 4-5 times a day seeing repeated stretch action. No issues.

I agree with the suggestion that you reach out to the manufacturer to see if they will do anything about it. If not, come on over to the Aqua Flex suits. They’re amazing! Our whole dive group has them. They fit a large variety of body types, shapes and sizes and are super easy on and off. It’s why I have so many of them, including a hooded vest.

Unfortunately, wetsuits are one of those things that I really need to try on before I buy. And locally, we mainly have stocked wetsuits to try on in Henderson, Bare and Mares. Some Scubapro and other brands but they’re usually special order. I’ve tried Bare and Mares ones and they’re both a little too long in the legs and I didn’t like them for one reason or another. But when we put that Thermaxx on for the first time, it was like love at first try. It was sooooo soft, like a cashmere sweater. I kid you not. We thought we lucked out when we fell in love with the Thermaxx.

As an aside @outofofficebrb , my hubby and I both bought the Rolling Thunder 30” for our next trip based on your suggestion in another thread. Thanks!