New 7mm wetsuit, what is more important, weight or height?

[Matthew Jones]

I'm looking at an Aqualung Flex 7mm suit for when I'm working the pool and in the winter hours here on island. Call me a baby, but whatever haha.

Anyhow, the two sizes I'm torn between are M and ML. I have a 3mm in the ML (long story, I was given the suit but never wear it), and I can literally grab a fist of material around my waist area (especially if sitting down or bent) probably because the ML is for 69 to 72 inches. The M is 68 to 71 inches (I'm about 68.5). The problem is the weight. Looking at height and judging by the amount of crap I can grab on the ML, I am leaning towards the M.

However, I'm 178-180 pounds. The M is for 150-170, and the ML is 165-185. I fit more into the weight of the ML, but the height of the M.

I really doubt I should be able to grab material around my waist like that and I have a feeling the water will pool up around there. I think the reason is because I'm no where near 6 feet tall, the max for that size.

That being said, I'm not remotely fat. I usually hover around 14% body fat. I could stand to lose a few pounds, but who couldn't. I read that the weight is a stupid way to size yourself for a wetsuit because you can't possibly know who is built how etc. So I'm torn. My shop sells Aqualung, so I'm obviously going to try that first, but I might have to move to a different company if this doesn't work out.

Thoughts? Wish Aqualung sized by chest size.

 

[Hatul]

Nobody can tell you which will fit better. You just need to try both on and see.

 

[decompression]

If it's for warmth, them you've got to try them on. There should be no wrinkles or gaps and the seals (neck, wrists, feet) should also fit to reduce water movement.


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[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Try them on. If ordering online use a retailer that has a friendly exchange policy with respect to size. An ill fitting suit will only make for an uncomfortable and increasingly stressful dive experience.

 

[Matthew Jones]

Ended up with the M instead of ML. If anyone is wondering, Aqualung HQ stated the ML is intended for someone with a bit of a gut, hence the bunched up material there.