Wetsuits shrink or stretch?

[Bubblesong]

What experience have you had with new bought wetsuits? Do they shrink or stretch out?

 

[tursiops]

They stretch out initially, then they shrink in the closet, particularly over the winter.

 

[Rred]

If it is NITROGEN BLOWN NEOPRENE like Rubatex G32, it does not change either way at all. Any neoprene that is not nitrogen blown, will shrink as it ages. I marked the spine of a wetsuit with "one meter" a long time ago, and year after year, that meter grew shorter. Objective proof of what Rubatex says about it.

None of them will "expand" any worth nothing, although it is easier to move around in them when you're fully lubricated in the water and they've twisted into place.

 

[wedivebc]

Unlike all my other articles of clothing the wetsuit does not seem to shrink with time.

 

[Ojai Diver]

I haven't verified shrinkage (that may well be the case, though) but I know they do get less flexible over time.

 

[Vicko]

They get less flexible and thiner, all of them just depending on the timescale and use.

 

[pjhansman]

They may be getting tighter.....but I don't think they're shrinking

 

[Bubblesong]

Actually, i haven’t bought the 7mm wetsuit yet, but wondering if i have to buy a size up, since it will shrink, or a bit snug, because it will stretch.

 

[northernone]

My observation:

Depends on use and storage. I know unused they get smaller and stiffer. Used they get bigger and thinner (more flexible).

 

[Bubblesong]

My observation:

Depends on use and storage. I know unused they get smaller and stiffer. Used they get bigger and thinner (more flexible).

Thank you for this. I know i can’t use 7mil except for a couple summer months, so mine would go through periods of long storage, and dry out smaller.