Wetsuit for stocky people?

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CAPTAIN SINBAD

Contributor
Messages
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Location
Woodbridge VA
# of dives
200 - 499
Before I go all out custom, I would like to know if there are any wetsuit brands other than BARE that make wetsuit for stocky people?

For reference, Bare 2XLSHORT is meant to fit HEIGHT 5.10 and CHEST 47.

Are there any other wetsuit brands that offer the same measurements in off the rack suits?
 
We recently introduced a XXXL suit size. In general, we suggest that people pay more attention to the weight range than the height range for a particular suit size. Being too tall and too thin (for the weight range) tends to be a bigger problem than the opposite condition. Especially for cold water, where having ankles and wrists exposed would be a problem.

If you are somewhat (a reasonable amount) short for the particular size range, having the legs and arms of the suit being a little long, usually does not present too much of a problem. Something to consider, if you are considering a stock versus a custom suit which often costs significantly more.
 
We recently introduced a XXXL suit size. In general, we suggest that people pay more attention to the weight range than the height range for a particular suit size. Being too tall and too thin (for the weight range) tends to be a bigger problem than the opposite condition. Especially for cold water, where having ankles and wrists exposed would be a problem.

If you are somewhat (a reasonable amount) short for the particular size range, having the legs and arms of the suit being a little long, usually does not present too much of a problem. Something to consider, if you are considering a stock versus a custom suit which often costs significantly more.

Thanks. Are your wetsuits good for 150ft dives? normally spear fishermen do not need compression resistant suits as much as divers because they are not spending enough time under pressure. Diving suits are normally made of material that is often less stretchy but more resistance to compression because they are designed for extreme depths. Thanks.
 
I have the same issue. Everyone thinks ya gotta be 6’ tall to weight 250 lol. I am really surprised nobody’s told you your too obese to dive, that seems to be the normal response to these type of questions.
I am a XXL boy and proud of it lol!!
 
I wonder if stock sizes ever really fit anyone. They are like bathtubs. Whoever designed those things assumed that most humans are 3 ft tall.
 
Thanks. Are your wetsuits good for 150ft dives? normally spear fishermen do not need compression resistant suits as much as divers because they are not spending enough time under pressure. Diving suits are normally made of material that is often less stretchy but more resistance to compression because they are designed for extreme depths. Thanks.


Thanks for the inquiry. We feel that Yamamoto is the best neoprene available for normal diving. We use Yamamoto 39 for all our camo suits which are primarily intended for spearos who may be crawling over rocks on the way into the water and maybe on the bottom as they extract their catch. We have knee pads for extra durability.

We feel this is the best material for flexibility, strength and durability. I do not have comparative data for compression effects at depth. However, very few if any manufacturers provide this data - most won't even identify the manufacturer of the neoprene they use. We do.

Yamamoto is expensive and the best. I do know that we have scuba diving customers who take their MAKO suits below 150 ft and they have reported no excessive wear or accelerated permanent compression. All wetsuits will wear, will gradual get thinner etc.. So I am trying to be as objective in this discussion as possible.

Just for reference, we also sell a black freedive suit in 3 and 5 mm which is intended only for freediving.. Not spearfing or scuba diving. For theses suits, we don't include a chest (speargun) loading pad or knee pads and we use a softer, even more stretchy material - Yamamoto 45. These suits are a little less robust, but the increased elasticity is demanded by competitive freedivers who are going to 200, 300 or more feet. Comparable suits from other manufacturers who distribute through the typical retail network are charging $400 to $500 (or more) for similar suits.
 
Henderson have a really wide range of sizes and can also customise a suit for you. If you think that you have a problem, I just worked with a dwarf who had an absolutely perfect wetsuit made for him by Henderson in 5mm. Fins were another story. THAT was a challenge.
 
I have a similar situation. I found a used 3mm ScubaPro wetsuit on Ebay. I'm a Great Lakes diver and spend my money on brand new suits for the colder water up here. I have a dive trip to Playa Del Carmen / Cozumel next month and am looking for a 3mm. All my suits are "Large Shorts" The suit on Ebay is a Large. (ScubaPro size charts list Large/Shorts to fit between 5' 9"-5' 11" with the Large being 5' 11" - 6' 1") All size dimensions fit me except the height. I'm about 5' 7", 175 lbs 42 inch chest, 34 inch waist. Will the extra length cause a problem or should I keep shopping? I really like the suit I found and the price is right.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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