Wetsuit - custom or off the rack?

[kpleynes]

Hi,
I'm 5'2 and wear dress size 12 and just starting my diving course. I am thinking of buying a wet suit but did not know if I should buy custom or off the rack.
If I bought off the rack, what sort of problems would I encounter?
In addition, we're having our check out dive in Dutch Springs, PA. How thick of a wetsuit would I need?
Thanks

 

[Walter]

It's all a matter if fit. If a suit off the rack fits, buy it - you'll save some money. If a suit off the rack doesn't fit, it's worth the extra to get a custom. Try them on.

 

[hnladue]

I'm 5'4 and wear a size 18. I went with a tilos superstrech Mens XL. 7.7mil. I had to have the legs and arms shortened. I went this way cause I am on Weight Watchers and have lost 35lbs so far. This wetsuit will fit me for a long time even if I lose another 35lbs. It's really strechy!! I have another 70 lbs to go!! Scuba is sure helping.

Heather.

 

[kpleynes]

That's good to hear.
I'm hoping to lose weight myself.
Why did you go with a Mens' superstretch rather than a Women's? Do you recommend I get the Men's too?

 

[diverlady]

Hnladue,

Good for you!! :appls: Keep up the good work at losing weight. It requires a lot of determination and sacrifice but you're doing great so far. Keep at it!!

Diverlady :notworthy:

 

[hnladue]

Thanks everyone for the vote of confidence!! It sure is hard to lose weight!! I'm sure all of us women know that.

I went with the mens suit, because the womens suit doesn't come big enough. If you can get into the womens suit go for it!! I have a 3mil shorty that's a size 14 womens!! I that I can get into now!!

Heather.

 

[saltwater taffy]

Hi there,
I just recently got my custom suit from Liquid Fit. I could not be more pleased with the fit, price and customer service.

Happy shopping

 

[SCUBAKristey]

Mainly because when I bought my first wetsuit I was 285 lbs!!! EEEEEEEEEK! (I'm also SIX FEET tall! Another EEEEEEEEEEEEK!) I am also STILL a DD to this day. NONE of the wetsuits I tried fit me where I would feel comfortable wet in them much less wet with all the nessecities on.
I have since lost 85 lbs (good on me!) and have paid to get the wetsuit altered so I can use it if I need to. (I try not to dive anywhere that requires more than my "polyfleece" skin...lol. I'm a desert rat, which means I'm avoid cold water.)
Honestly, it was worth it for me to get the custom suit. It didn't cost me anymore than buying a 3mil suit off the rack, and I got it altered for about $35.00. Not bad at all I say. (Plus, being a girlie-girl type, I got to pick out the colors I wanted. Although, I was willing to go with plain black or whatever I found off the rack, it was definitely a small benefit.)

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

It really is all about fit. I've been thru 3 off the rack and now a custom, and I'll never go back to off the rack, especially in a thicker suit. The thicker the suit, the less it's going to stretch (all else being equall), so as you need more thermal protection, the better off you are going to a custom. An ill fitting suit is a lot like a leaky mask, ... a constant nuisance that zaps the fun right out of diving and turns you off to wanting to do more. Scuba gear is always a big expense, and there are areas in which to exercise thrift, but your core essentials, mask, fins, thermal protection, are the items that can make or break your desire for diving, and not the place to be cheap.

Welcome to scuba diving.

Darlene

 

[Diver Kat]

I'm right there with hnladue ...

I'm 5'4 and wear a size 18.

and I purchased a size 14 3-mil Henderson Hyperstretch - which I LOVE!! It fits perfectly and I can move and breath easily ..... since my arms tend to be a bit short, I can also turn up the sleeve a few inches, and still have no water seeping in. (I guess I could have it altered, but just never really thought about it, since it's so comfortable.) I did try it on and purchase it from a local DS, but they pretty much matched an on-line price I found ......