Pinnacle 3mm Elastiprene Merino Wetsuit/Fit Question

[kuma1720]

Just recently purchased a Pinnacle 3mm Merino Elastiprene suit. Problem I am having is in the arms.

The length seems to be fine, but the suit feels VERY tight about the arms. Is this something that will stretch overtime? Obviously I am trying the suit on at home and have yet to take it on a wet run.

Any suggestions?

 

[pollywogg]

I can't speak with any authority on the 3mm Merino, but I recently purchased a 5mm Cruiser. I had first purchased a Small. Going by the sizing chart on their site, I am smack dab in the middle of small and medium. When I put the small on, I felt like I had been shrinkwrapped. It was so tight, I could not sit down, the torso was too short.
So, long story short, I got rid of the small, and ended up purchasing a medium elsewhere. When I first put it on, I was a little scared. This one was tight too. I am a little guy, but I have big shoulders for my size. I almost couldn't get it on. Once on, it felt tight. I did the arm mobility test(touch left shoulder with right arm, vice versa), found that although it was tight, it was workable.
My first dive in it, once I hit the water, I didn't even feel it. Vedddy comfortable. It definitely relaxed a little once it got wet. I love the suit.
My advice, as long as it isn't tight enough to restrain mobility, I would try diving it.

 

[kuma1720]

I actually used the suit in my pool and your right the suit became a bit more comfortable.
Although I know it will be tight it sure kept plenty of water out with the good seals. I just wished they sized them like Bare suits. My Bare 5mm just has a better cut. Thanks again.

 

[Aquatrax]

I actually used the suit in my pool and your right the suit became a bit more comfortable.
Although I know it will be tight it sure kept plenty of water out with the good seals. I just wished they sized them like Bare suits. My Bare 5mm just has a better cut. Thanks again.

I have the Pinnacle Elastaprene and the Bare and I have found the opposite. The Bare seems tighter through the shoulders.

 

[Captain Larry]

The Pinnacle Merino Elastiprene is a great suit. That particular wetsuit seems to run a little on the small side so if borderlne go up in size. It's always best to provide your dealer with your dimensions (height, weight, chest, waist, hips, inseam) and they can help you select the correct size. One nice thing about Pinnacle is that they have so many sizes that you can't just go by small, med, or large. They have tall and short sizes and they all vary a bit in different areas like shoulders or inseam. This helps you get an almost custom fit without the expense of going custom. The elastiprene stretches a lot which helps with the fit. Once you get it on and in the water the suit shifts and twists to get the kinks and stress out that occured while putting it on and it should feel better. I see many people stretch the suit unevenly to get it on and it results in a bit of discomfort until everything shifts and adjusts. We sell many wetsuits and the Pinnacles outsell everything else and are widely regarded as being excellent in design, build, and comfort.
Let me know if you need help with a size choice.
Larry

 

[ZzzKing]

My 3mm elastoprene merino is tight enough and the seals are good enough that I have ended dives with dry spots under the arms. Great warmth for a 3mm too.

 

[kuma1720]

Thanks Larry and I am going to keep trying to adjust to the suit. It may be just something I need to work around, but the sizing is fine. Anything larger will make for a looser fitting suit.

Will try and get some more dives in her this upcoming weekend. I will tell you one thing the suit does a magnificent job slowing/stopping water from entering the suit. This alone is an improvement over my Bare 5mm.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have a 3 and a 5 along with a Bare 5/4 velocity. The pinnacles are much better suits all the way round. More stretch, better cut for me, and the 3 is as warm as my bare 5. Must be the merino lining.

 

[kuma1720]

Just dove the suit in openwater and YES, it worked like a charm. The suit was warm and toasty. Much warmer suit than my BARE 5mm. The arms although tight in the beginning gave me absolutely no issues in the water. I was able to sustain 2 one hour dives without any issues and heard complaints from others that the last dive got them chilled.

So at the end of the day, a great purchase.