Semidry fit..

[rodcoleman]

Help.

I have just bought a Mares Isotherm T (Euro one -6.5mm) and although the guy in the shop says it's a pretty good fit I am not so sure and am wondering if I should swap it for something else. The fit is a little more loose than my other suits from the past (partcilarly around the legs/lower back) and although he says they are cut loose, I would like to hear from others with experience of the Mares/other semis. I am able to grab small rolls of neoprene as it is not stretched very tightly at all.

Any feedback is welcome.

Thanks

 

[DA Aquamaster]

With a wet suit a good fit is very important and consequently wet suit makers have had to offer a lot of sizes. The original idea behind the semi dry is that by putting seals in the suit, it can tolerate a looser fit and the company can then make and stock fewer sizes and get suitable results with the same percentage of people. It also makes mail order purchases a little less of a crap shoot.

The probelm is that if you get too much space int he suit, the best seal in the world will not prevent water from flowing in and out of the suit everytime you move. The changing volume in the suit makes for a very powerful water pump.

The fit in the upper back and shoulders is most critical but the legs and lower back area is also important if you plan on moving your legs while diving. Given what you have desribed, your suit is too big and will be cold. I would be a little concerend about the advice you are getting from the guy in the dive shop. My bet is they either have a lot of suits in the size he sold you or else they have no suits at all in the size you actually need.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I"d agree with Aquamaster, I was diving a semi-dry for awhile that felt snug but had some room in the torso (I couldn't get ahold of neoprene rolls) and had a cold back on long dives.

It should be snug getting in, once it's wet it'll fit fine.