The Michelin Man

[spectrum]

1) How much easier is it to don a lighter suit? I'm contemplating layering with a vest for colder water.

2) Are the hyperstretch/elastek products all that they're cracked up to be? (I'm looking at the Bare product line as they make an XXL Short)

3) Is the difficulty I experienced donning the suit a normal part of the learning curve?

The lighter the suit the easier the don. That being said even a correctly fit 7mm wetsuit should be effortless to don with the right combination of fit, technique and a little experience. This may be a good read.


Pete

 

[Gombessa]

This would only work for the first dive, but I wonder if talc/corn starch would help?

 

[Brian Sharpe]

Thanks - I have been significantly tempted by the great price on the Thermoprene suits, the only misgiving I have is that the XXL is for someone quite a bit taller than me. The torso would probably be fine but I have shortish legs (very useful having a low centre of gravity when playing rugby) - about a 29" inseam. Maybe this is the incentive I need to drop a few pounds and get into an XL......

 

[Brian Sharpe]

"If you have never been in a compressive rubber garment before you may find it a little peculiar. Let's face it most of us are not accustomed to prancing around in skin tight rubber outfits that make us look like super heroes. "

I wish I had read this before even donning a suit!LOL

 

[raider11]

Donning a wetsuit gets easier with time and proper sizing. The easiest way I found of donning my Bare Artic 7mm. is to turn it inside out complete except for the legs from the knee down, I step into both legs, pull up a little an fit the knees properly, then the hole legs and waist, if you get to the waist with the suit properly fit, the rest is really easy, just put an arm in, fit the shoulder and pull the hole suit up with your shoulder, second arm in and thats about it.

It will be easier after you do it 3 or 4 times and neoprene will get softer and adapt to your body shape.

The mobility issue is not only about wetsuit material but design too.

If you can, go to your LDS and try different brands and designs.

 

[Pearldiver07]

Another suggestion - although you'll get looks at the drug store - use KY jelly on the sticking points - legs, forearms. It is very slippery, and water-based, so it will rinse away.

But I do warn you that when you're at the drug store asking if this stuff comes in economy barrels, you'll get a lot of stares.

Just be sure to wash any off of your hands before "slipping" into the suit, or you won't be able to hang on either.

 

[timegan]

Welcome to the fun part of suiting up. As was mentioned putting on a skin tight rubber suit at first is ...well different for sure. And let me tell you a dry suit might go on easier....but you have all the thermal layers to put on first, then the suit. It's like the old sauna slim suit. Just as much sweat if it's 80f outside. But you are diving a wet suit for now right....close fitting is what you want but not tight in that you turn red and your blood pressure goes threw the roof.LOL. BUT this is why I posted.....Get yourself a spray bottle....put a small amount of dish soap in solution....spray the inside of arms and the legs with the solution. You will slip in like butter. Very little sweating and you will be squeeeeeeeky clean. And when you take it off....just go inside out and peel it off. If you do another dive the same day....the soapy spray will still let you put the rubber on again damp as it will be. Hope this helps bud

 

[msg]

If you will be diving cold water a lot, get a drysuit -- It is as easy as putting on a pair of jeans.

 

[ruready7]

Welcome to the fun part of suiting up. As was mentioned putting on a skin tight rubber suit at first is ...well different for sure. And let me tell you a dry suit might go on easier....but you have all the thermal layers to put on first, then the suit. It's like the old sauna slim suit. Just as much sweat if it's 80f outside. But you are diving a wet suit for now right....close fitting is what you want but not tight in that you turn red and your blood pressure goes threw the roof.LOL. BUT this is why I posted.....Get yourself a spray bottle....put a small amount of dish soap in solution....spray the inside of arms and the legs with the solution. You will slip in like butter. Very little sweating and you will be squeeeeeeeky clean. And when you take it off....just go inside out and peel it off. If you do another dive the same day....the soapy spray will still let you put the rubber on again damp as it will be. Hope this helps bud

Might have to try that idea. As said it does get easier after doing it a few times and the suit gets used to your shape.

 

[blackcloud]

I am 5'10" and about 230 and I wear a henderson hyperstretch xl and am very comfortable in it. The hyperstretch material is very easy to get on and I have made dives wearing a hood and gloves down to 45 degree water. I was cold but had a great time but i did buy a drysuit so I could enjoy the dives more