short and wide, do I have to go custom?

[baggins_69]

me: 5' 7.5", long torso short legs/arms, 230lbs (like 27' inseam, but when I sit next to someone 6' tall our torsos are the same height)

I find I am somewhere between an XL and XXL torso, but even the XLS in every brand I've found is sized for someone 5'9 + with much longer arms and legs, as a result if the torso fits, I end up with elbow pads on my forearms, knee pads on my shins and having to roll the cuffs .

on the Ladies side of the house, Henderson makes their women's suits in constant height for varying width (short <5'4, Regular 5'5-5'10, tall 5'10+ and size is about hips and bust) but nobody seems to recognize that short stocky guys exist.

really would like to avoid the several hundred dollar premium for a custom suit, anybody got any recommendations?

 

[grantctobin]

me: 5' 7.5", long torso short legs/arms, 230lbs (like 27' inseam, but when I sit next to someone 6' tall our torsos are the same height)

I find I am somewhere between an XL and XXL torso, but even the XLS in every brand I've found is sized for someone 5'9 + with much longer arms and legs, as a result if the torso fits, I end up with elbow pads on my forearms, knee pads on my shins and having to roll the cuffs .

on the Ladies side of the house, Henderson makes their women's suits in constant height for varying width (short <5'4, Regular 5'5-5'10, tall 5'10+ and size is about hips and bust) but nobody seems to recognize that short stocky guys exist.

really would like to avoid the several hundred dollar premium for a custom suit, anybody got any recommendations?

One of the UK MTM Suits...O3, Seaskin, etc

 

[BoltSnap]

One of the UK MTM Suits...O3, Seaskin, etc

The OP didn't specify a drysuit? It appears that they are asking for a wetsuit.

 

[baggins_69]

The OP didn't specify a drysuit? It appears that they are asking for a wetsuit.

yes, I am talking wetsuit.

a decent 3mm wetsuit can be had for <$150 (and a 7mm for <$250) if and only if you are skinny. anybody with a BMI over 25 (i.e. 70+% of americans) is not going to get a good fit off the shelf. a custom 3mm is going to be ~$300 minimum and a custom 7mm at least $500

for me to get a good torso fit, I need XXL torso (I am both overweight and skeletally broad), but even an XXL Short is sized for someone 5'11.5 or taller per Henderson's sizing chart. in what world is a 6' tall man "short"? (not railing on Henderson specifically, every wetsuit company is the same in this respect from what I've found)

so am I stuck ordering custom? or is there some company out there that (for men as well as women) recognizes that short (<5'8"), medium(5'9"-6') and tall(6'1"+) are constant values while "size" is highly variable?

 

[JackD342]

yes, I am talking wetsuit.

a decent 3mm wetsuit can be had for <$150 (and a 7mm for <$250) if and only if you are skinny. anybody with a BMI over 25 (i.e. 70+% of americans) is not going to get a good fit off the shelf. a custom 3mm is going to be ~$300 minimum and a custom 7mm at least $500

for me to get a good torso fit, I need XXL torso (I am both overweight and skeletally broad), but even an XXL Short is sized for someone 5'11.5 or taller per Henderson's sizing chart. in what world is a 6' tall man "short"? (not railing on Henderson specifically, every wetsuit company is the same in this respect from what I've found)

so am I stuck ordering custom? or is there some company out there that (for men as well as women) recognizes that short (<5'8"), medium(5'9"-6') and tall(6'1"+) are constant values while "size" is highly variable?

Henderson will also shorten ankles and wrists on a stock suit, I think by up to 4 inches. So maybe an XXL short, plus modified cuffs? It will add to the cost, but nowhere near custom pricing.

 

[BoltSnap]

Divers Cove in CT has wet/dry suit tailoring services and does shortening, etc. on wetsuits. You should get in touch with them and see what they can do for you.

Divers Cove | Full Service Scuba Equipment & Repair Shop

 

[Hatul]

me: 5' 7.5", long torso short legs/arms, 230lbs (like 27' inseam, but when I sit next to someone 6' tall our torsos are the same height)

I find I am somewhere between an XL and XXL torso, but even the XLS in every brand I've found is sized for someone 5'9 + with much longer arms and legs, as a result if the torso fits, I end up with elbow pads on my forearms, knee pads on my shins and having to roll the cuffs .

on the Ladies side of the house, Henderson makes their women's suits in constant height for varying width (short <5'4, Regular 5'5-5'10, tall 5'10+ and size is about hips and bust) but nobody seems to recognize that short stocky guys exist.

really would like to avoid the several hundred dollar premium for a custom suit, anybody got any recommendations?

Try a Large Short. That may fit. Go with Custom suit only as a last resort.

 

[John Bortle]

Take a look at Pinnacle.

 

[Zef]

If you are interested in a drysuit, we have USIA techniflex suit with very little use that is designed for those that are short and stocky. PM me for details.

-Z

 

[baggins_69]

Take a look at Pinnacle.

XXLS on their website is listed as 6'1-6-4"!!!! in what world is 6'1 short? at 215lbs?