Wetsuit fitting?

[NeMEed]

Ok, so I signed up for an Open Water class. Before that I took a look at the stores filtering system, all their equipment and all of that. I liked what I saw and I liked the teacher so I signed up for a course!

Then I thought I might see if I could try a wet suit on to see how it felt. I got it on, but it was a bit difficult! The first one didn't fit so we went one size up, but the top didn't fit. So we went another size up (which is strange since all my weight is in my butt and hips :blinking: lol). But I got it on. Barely.

My question really is, how it should fit? And if fit correctly, how should it feel?

It seemed like getting my hands through the wrist parts was really hard! And it was tight, I could breath and move, but I felt like I was waddling.

I can get the bottoms on, but it's really difficult. Once on it feel fine, it's tight, but I can move in it and bend and everything. But is it bad that I can barely get it on? I mean it took a LOT of work to get it on! Is that normal?

It was really thick too. I'm guessing it's because of the cold water here in Washington this time of year.

I'm not up to date on the scuba terminology and all the gear so forgive me, but it looked like this: http://www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk/images/wetsuit.jpg


I'm so sorry about the babbling on, I'm just a bit nervous about my first OW dive!

 

[Blackwood]

The way you describe the fit sounds about right to me.

 

[spectrum]

Relax it all sounds just about right if you really had good freedom of movement. The other big question is breathing. It should not help you exhale or hinder you in inhaling. Your arms should hang normally by your side and the suit should fit right up into your armpits.

Getting into a suit especially a 7mm suit is a little bit of an art and a peculiar feeling the first few times. The perception is somewhere between kinky and being a super hero.

A properly fitting wet suit will offer a hint of compression, that is it will be slightly stretched. After being in it long enough for a dive you can expect to see the stitching imprinted in your skin when you doff (remove) it. The caveat is that you have good breathing and the freedom of movement. You will get wet in the suit but there should be little to no water volume. Once you get the suit wet it will have the freedom to better contort to your body and you will revel in the warmth it provides.

When getting the bottom on roll them down and get your feet in. Then ROLL them up to your knees and make sure the knees are front and center and at the right height. Knowing this for a suit can take a little experience. The continue to roll it up. If you try to step into the suit like a pair of trousers life will stink. Also getting exasperated and sweaty will make it worse

Getting into the sleeves is more of a punch right through exercise but there are some aids. Some divers use plastic shopping bags on their hands to let them pass out through the sleeves. Those biodegradable bags that are part cornstarch seem to be the ones that do the trick. I will sometimes spray some suit snot on my arms. This is a mix of 1/3 cheap hair conditioner and 2/3 water in a pump sprayer. Depending on your proportions and the suit the wrist can often be the hardest part, a little lube makes it all good.

What you linked to is called a (Farmer) John (or Jane) bottom and a jacket top. The alternative is a full 1 pc suit that you can augment with a hooded vest to get the 2X on your core. I prefer the latter.

Pete

 

[paradicio]

I've also found that different suits vary in degrees of difficulty as far as getting them on. I've found the "stretch" materials to be easiest (almost every manufacturer has some kind of "stretch" model). I went with a Henderson Hyperstretch.

Good luck, and enjoy your first OW dive!

 

[NeMEed]

Relax it all sounds just about right if you really had good freedom of movement. The other big question is breathing. It should not help you exhale or hinder you in inhaling. Your arms should hang normally by your side and the suit should fit right up into your armpits.

Getting into a suit especially a 7mm suit is a little bit of an art and a peculiar feeling the first few times. The perception is somewhere between kinky and being a super hero.

A properly fitting wet suit will offer a hint of compression, that is it will be slightly stretched. After being in it long enough for a dive you can expect to see the stitching imprinted in your skin when you doff (remove) it. The caveat is that you have good breathing and the freedom of movement. You will get wet in the suit but there should be little to no water volume. Once you get the suit wet it will have the freedom to better contort to your body and you will revel in the warmth it provides.

When getting the bottom on roll them down and get your feet in. Then ROLL them up to your knees and make sure the knees are front and center and at the right height. Knowing this for a suit can take a little experience. The continue to roll it up. If you try to step into the suit like a pair of trousers life will stink. Also getting exasperated and sweaty will make it worse

Getting into the sleeves is more of a punch right through exercise but there are some aids. Some divers use plastic shopping bags on their hands to let them pass out through the sleeves. Those biodegradable bags that are part cornstarch seem to be the ones that do the trick. I will sometimes spray some suit snot on my arms. This is a mix of 1/3 cheap hair conditioner and 2/3 water in a pump sprayer. Depending on your proportions and the suit the wrist can often be the hardest part, a little lube makes it all good.

What you linked to is called a (Farmer) John (or Jane) bottom and a jacket top. The alternative is a full 1 pc suit that you can augment with a hooded vest to get the 2X on your core. I prefer the latter.

Pete

Thanks! That's a great help! I was trying to put them on like pants LOL oops.

Ok, so I can move in it fine, but when I walk it pulls my legs down. Kinda like a rubber band attached to the bottom of my legs. Is that ok?

Is there any particular thing to wear under the wet suit? I have a bikini and it sticks to my stomach a bit.

And boots go on after the wet suit right? I feel silly asking that to the scuba instructor lol

I think I may just go with one size up.

I've also found that different suits vary in degrees of difficulty as far as getting them on. I've found the "stretch" materials to be easiest (almost every manufacturer has some kind of "stretch" model). I went with a Henderson Hyperstretch.

Good luck, and enjoy your first OW dive!

Thanks!

 

[spectrum]

Ok, so I can move in it fine, but when I walk it pulls my legs down. Kinda like a rubber band attached to the bottom of my legs. Is that ok?

Your legs pull down.... I'm thinking that due to the way you put it on it ended up low on you ankles and was in tension on your legs. Put it on the ankles first and make it a point to have the bottom cuff above your ankle joint. It's a lot easier for it to settle down on your leg than it is for it to climb up. If you left the cuff too low it would be in tension and trying in effect to pull your feet up. I think that's the same as pulling your legs down. If you are long legged or well toned down there that would exacerbate it.

I take it you are trying on shop rental suits for class use. When you go shopping for your own be advised that there are brands, such as Bare that do have long and short cut of the various sizes. If all else fails custom is a good option. One step at a time for now.

In any case it's highly likely that the rubber band sensation will go away when you get it all wet so for class use I'd give it a shot. If you are still bothered make sure you get to try it in the pool before going to open water.

Is there any particular thing to wear under the wet suit? I have a bikini and it sticks to my stomach a bit.

The ladies forum has some threads that speak to this in depth.

Sticking to your stomach is great and again will be fine when wet. It's that sort of flesh to rubber fit you want. If it's really bothers you topside pour a 1/2 liter bottle of water down your collar it will cool you and wet things out for comfort. Meanwhile you body will pre-warm that wetness and really ease your entry into the colder open water.

Bikini's are probably least popular from what I know. A tank suit will stay put on your body and nothing will flip out of place. That's handy if you are into modesty. The downside is that if you need to use the toilet or marine head it's a long way out. My wife found the Tankini style to be a good compromise.

And boots go on after the wet suit right? I feel silly asking that to the scuba instructor lol

I think I may just go with one size up.

Thanks!

The boots go on after the wetsuit but the then wetsuit goes back down over the boots. Get into the wetsuit and roll the cuffs up. Don your boots. Roll the cuff down over the boot top. This way water will shed past the suit/boot interface and you will not be scooping cold water with your boots.

If the sizes are available then by all means try them. Interpreting first time wetsuit wearers over the internet is not an exact science! Just remember it's a close comfortable fit you want. If the next size up is too loose it should be apparent to you now.

BTW, never feel silly about asking a question. This one is benign, the next one could be critical. Diving is not a computer game, there is no undo button

Keep us posted,
Pete

 

[NeMEed]

Your legs pull down.... I'm thinking that due to the way you put it on it ended up low on you ankles and was in tension on your legs. Put it on the ankles first and make it a point to have the bottom cuff above your ankle joint. It's a lot easier for it to settle down on your leg than it is for it to climb up. If you left the cuff too low it would be in tension and trying in effect to pull your feet up. I think that's the same as pulling your legs down. If you are long legged or well toned down there that would exacerbate it.

I take it you are trying on shop rental suits for class use. When you go shopping for your own be advised that there are brands, such as Bare that do have long and short cut of the various sizes. If all else fails custom is a good option. One step at a time for now.

In any case it's highly likely that the rubber band sensation will go away when you get it all wet so for class use I'd give it a shot. If you are still bothered make sure you get to try it in the pool before going to open water.


The ladies forum has some threads that speak to this in depth.

Sticking to your stomach is great and again will be fine when wet. It's that sort of flesh to rubber fit you want. If it's really bothers you topside pour a 1/2 liter bottle of water down your collar it will cool you and wet things out for comfort. Meanwhile you body will pre-warm that wetness and really ease your entry into the colder open water.

Bikini's are probably least popular from what I know. A tank suit will stay put on your body and nothing will flip out of place. That's handy if you are into modesty. The downside is that if you need to use the toilet or marine head it's a long way out. My wife found the Tankini style to be a good compromise.



The boots go on after the wetsuit but the then wetsuit goes back down over the boots. Get into the wetsuit and roll the cuffs up. Don your boots. Roll the cuff down over the boot top. This way water will shed past the suit/boot interface and you will not be scooping cold water with your boots.

If the sizes are available then by all means try them. Interpreting first time wetsuit wearers over the internet is not an exact science! Just remember it's a close comfortable fit you want. If the next size up is too loose it should be apparent to you now.

BTW, never feel silly about asking a question. This one is benign, the next one could be critical. Diving is not a computer game, there is no undo button

Keep us posted,
Pete

Aw! You're right! I had the ankle cuffs too low! lol That's probably what it was! I had the cuffs just below my ankle!

The sticking to the stomach only bothered me a bit, I was more worried that the suit was too tight. But that's good to hear that's how it's suppose to be! Again, thanks!!

Ok, boots on second, but then pull the cuffs of the wet suit over the boots. Got it thanks! I'm guessing that's how the gloves are as well.

The bikini is just what I have, I'll buy a full suit. I would like my modesty to stay that way. :mooner: lol

When it comes time for me to look for a suit of my own I'll definitely look for the suit with a good fit. I'll probably be doing a lot of research on suits, and doing fittings before I buy anything!

Thanks for all the info!!!! That's all great!!

 

[Twiddles]

A liner could help, by liner I mean a lycra like one piece garmet. Has loops for feet and one finger each hand to hold it in place as you pull on your wetsuit. Wet or dry you will pull on the wetsuit twice as easy with this on. You can usually find them hanging right next to where the wetsuits are in most shops. If you use rental gear I would recommend a liner.

 

[spectrum]

Ok, boots on second, but then pull the cuffs of the wet suit over the boots. Got it thanks! I'm guessing that's how the gloves are as well.

Gloves go on last and stay on top.

 

[spectrum]

A liner could help, by liner I mean a lycra like one piece garmet. Has loops for feet and one finger each hand to hold it in place as you pull on your wetsuit. Wet or dry you will pull on the wetsuit twice as easy with this on. You can usually find them hanging right next to where the wetsuits are in most shops. If you use rental gear I would recommend a liner.

With proper fit and doning technique a lycra skin is only going to give water another migration path, make her wallet thinner and the dive shop more prosperous.

What does another layer of lycra have to do with wearing a rental suit?

Pete