Ricky B
Contributor
Yes, yet another wetsuit fit question, but since we are all different shapes and sizes, the answer to someone else's question may not be right for me.
I just received a Body Glove Men's 7mm EVX Full Wetsuit. Size: Large. According to the size chart, I should be a Large. I am 6' 1/2" (but have not measured height in a while), and the height range for Large is 510″ 60″. The extra half-inch of body height does not seem to be a problem as the legs and inseam on the suit are not too short. As for weight, the range for Large is 180 200 lbs., and I am 192 lbs.
Trying on the suit, it feels snug but there is no problem breathing. It's a little constricting in moving my arms but it doesn't seem too bad. I expect a 7 mil wetsuit to be somewhat constricting.
The issue is that, diving in Monterey Bay, I expect to wear a vest of 3 to 5 mil under the suit, and I really don't think the suit with a vest under it would fit (or if it would fit, be comfortable). Getting the back zipper up requires me to put my shoulders back and arch my back.
My fear is that this is not going to work with a vest, but since I've never worn a vest under a wet suit before, I don't know if it is normal to think that a vest won't fit but in fact there's no problem.
There is a an LT size, which is 60″ 63″ in height and 185 205 lbs. If I return the suit for the LT, does it seem likely that the extra 5 lbs on the sizing chart will make a significant difference? Or would I likely be wasting my time and I should find an LDS with a good selection of wetsuits to try on?
I realize that advising a third party whom you've never seen on wetsuit fit is problematic, but there is a ton of experience on this board, and maybe someone else has had a similar experience and can offer some useful advice.
Dry suit fans: Yes, I know you think I should be diving dry in Monterey Bay, but for a number of reasons, I am not ready to jump into a dry suit. I want to see if I like local diving, and if I wear the wetsuit only 10 times before I go dry, I would have no complaint. On top of that, I could comfortably dive wet in southern California.
I just received a Body Glove Men's 7mm EVX Full Wetsuit. Size: Large. According to the size chart, I should be a Large. I am 6' 1/2" (but have not measured height in a while), and the height range for Large is 510″ 60″. The extra half-inch of body height does not seem to be a problem as the legs and inseam on the suit are not too short. As for weight, the range for Large is 180 200 lbs., and I am 192 lbs.
Trying on the suit, it feels snug but there is no problem breathing. It's a little constricting in moving my arms but it doesn't seem too bad. I expect a 7 mil wetsuit to be somewhat constricting.
The issue is that, diving in Monterey Bay, I expect to wear a vest of 3 to 5 mil under the suit, and I really don't think the suit with a vest under it would fit (or if it would fit, be comfortable). Getting the back zipper up requires me to put my shoulders back and arch my back.
My fear is that this is not going to work with a vest, but since I've never worn a vest under a wet suit before, I don't know if it is normal to think that a vest won't fit but in fact there's no problem.
There is a an LT size, which is 60″ 63″ in height and 185 205 lbs. If I return the suit for the LT, does it seem likely that the extra 5 lbs on the sizing chart will make a significant difference? Or would I likely be wasting my time and I should find an LDS with a good selection of wetsuits to try on?
I realize that advising a third party whom you've never seen on wetsuit fit is problematic, but there is a ton of experience on this board, and maybe someone else has had a similar experience and can offer some useful advice.
Dry suit fans: Yes, I know you think I should be diving dry in Monterey Bay, but for a number of reasons, I am not ready to jump into a dry suit. I want to see if I like local diving, and if I wear the wetsuit only 10 times before I go dry, I would have no complaint. On top of that, I could comfortably dive wet in southern California.