Wetsuit Sizing Question

[Sp0ngeb0b]

Hello all,

I'm new to ScubaBoard and am currently taking an open water cert class. I was looking into grabbing a wetsuit from ebay, but need some help with the sizing...

I know that sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and its easy to read and find the sizing charts, but I'm an odd size, I guess. :icorolley

I'm 6'1" and 155 pounds. Tall and thin, with a long torso. I can find the right height and/or weight, but the two rarely mesh with any particular size.

So my question is: Is it better to go with a shorter size but the right weight, or better to get the right height and not worry about the waist/hips area as much as getting the height right?

Thanks!

 

[vel525]

I think with wetsuits it's all about trial and error and going on and trying on as many wetsuits as possible. You may be a L for one brand but might be ML for another brand. I would recommend going to your LDS or a local sporting goods store and try on a bunch. If you're body is really unique you can also look into getting a custom wetsuit made. Good luck.

Oh ya, to try to answer your question. I personally look try to match the weight more than the height when I'm buying wetsuits online.

 

[redacted]

Hello all,

I'm new to ScubaBoard and am currently taking an open water cert class. I was looking into grabbing a wetsuit from ebay, but need some help with the sizing...

I know that sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and its easy to read and find the sizing charts, but I'm an odd size, I guess. :icorolley

I'm 6'1" and 155 pounds. Tall and thin, with a long torso. I can find the right height and/or weight, but the two rarely mesh with any particular size.

So my question is: Is it better to go with a shorter size but the right weight, or better to get the right height and not worry about the waist/hips area as much as getting the height right?

Thanks!

e-bay may not work for you unless you try one of the sellers who sells lots of wetsuits and get some good advice. You might also try regular internet DSs like Scubatoys. While I'm sure there are others, I'm not sure who else I would trust with those measurements. Even an LDS may be a crap shoot if they are more intersted in a sale rather than a good fit for the customer.

You may just be a tailor made kind of guy. If so, these guys have been around for quite a while & seem to have a good reputation. http://www.liquidfit.com/

 

[Buoyant1]

Sizes are screwy! I wear a 2X in EVERYTHING except a wetsuit...I just bought a 5X 7mm! (to add to my 5X 3mm)

Here's what I did, since my LDS doesn't carry anything that fits me, I went through Leisure Pro, and orderd a 4X and 5X tried both on, and shipped the one that didn't fit back (just got back from the UPS store) They have a pretty liberal return policy (within 14 days) and it only cost me $8. and change to ship it back.

If you're on the fence with 2 particular sizes, why not try that

 

[Sp0ngeb0b]

Wow! Those were fast replies! :god:

Although I'd love a liquidfit suit, I was thinking of grabbing a semi-cheap suit for my first dive (carribean) until I get a handle on what I like/don't like. The purely custom made suits are nice, but seem a little expensive for a style/type I may or may not like.

Thanks for the replies! I'd be interested in anyone else's thoughts as well on whether I should aim more for weight or size.:satisfied

 

[redacted]

Wow! Those were fast replies! :god:

Although I'd love a liquidfit suit, I was thinking of grabbing a semi-cheap suit for my first dive (carribean) until I get a handle on what I like/don't like. The purely custom made suits are nice, but seem a little expensive for a style/type I may or may not like.

Thanks for the replies! I'd be interested in anyone else's thoughts as well on whether I should aim more for weight or size.:satisfied

I'd definately talk to Scubatoys. I just picked up a cheapo 3/2 from them for under $85 to my front door. Like bouyant said, if you can't decide, get both & return 1.

I'm 5'10", 235, 45 chest & 38 waist. I fit to the chest and waist. But you may need to also consider your long torso. Short in the arms & legs is not big deal. Short in the torso ... you may be talking serious comfort issues.

 

[lord1234]

also: if you are willing to spend say...150$ on a suit check out triplel...they will custom make a suit for you for about that much(with shipping) and they have very good quality stuff.

 

[Don Burke]

I'm 6'1" and 155 pounds. Tall and thin, with a long torso. I can find the right height and/or weight, but the two rarely mesh with any particular size.

So my question is: Is it better to go with a shorter size but the right weight, or better to get the right height and not worry about the waist/hips area as much as getting the height right?

I am 6'1" and 195. An XL usually fits me well, especially from Bare.

I would get the height right and get the thing tailored.

 

[ChrisA]

Unless you _know_ you exactly fit the specific brand and size suit being offered on ebay and you have tried on the _exact_ suit then don't bid on it. You absolutly need to try on the suit.

If you are short of cash and an odd size you can gt Tripple-L to build you a custom suit for about $100. Cheaper then many off the rack suits. The suits are decent quality and of course if they are custom made they will fit reasonably well. If you live in So Cal I know of an outfit that will custom make a very nice suit for $350 or modify an off the rack suit to fit you exactly.

Just remember that with wetsuits "fit" is everything. Fit is far more importent than any of the features or the type of material used. It has to fit like skin with no gaps between you and the suit.

I just got off the phone with the custom wetsuit guy about fixing a suit of my son and his words where "the tighter it is the warmmer it is" So my son has to design how he wants to compromise. I think we will just put arm/leg zippers in. You think adults are hard to fit, try fitting a growing kid.

Hello all,

I know that sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and its easy to read and find the sizing charts, but I'm an odd size, I guess. :icorolley

I'm 6'1" and 155 pounds. Tall and thin, with a long torso. I can find the right height and/or weight, but the two rarely mesh with any particular size.

Thanks!

 

[liberato]

You are pretty much off the chart as far as off the rack sizing goes. I wouldn't waste the money tring to buy something unseen. A good fitting suit is one of those things that can make or break whether you continue on with SCUBA. I am a big fan of custom made suits. What are you wearing for your cerification? Does it fit? Also, were do you plan to dive most of the time. Most parts of the Carribean would only require the thinest of suits if any.