OP
fred32176
Contributor
What is the easiest 3 mil wetsuit to put on and get off? My 3/2 keeps getting nicked and it will soon be time for a new wetsuit. Which 3 mill wetsuits are easiest to get off and put on?
Question What wetsuit is easiest to get off?
- Thread starter fred32176
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I would say, one that fits well and that you can reach all the zippers yourself.
For whatever reason, I have always struggled more to get them on than to get them off. If you haven't already tried this: peel the suit off your limbs like a banana. It should be completely inside out by the time you step out of it. For putting it on, a little lube goes a long way.
For whatever reason, I have always struggled more to get them on than to get them off. If you haven't already tried this: peel the suit off your limbs like a banana. It should be completely inside out by the time you step out of it. For putting it on, a little lube goes a long way.
ThatDogDontHunt
Oscar Meyer Weiner
A shorty.
You are choosing a curious factor as the determiner. A modern 3mm wetsuit should be fairly easy to get on and off because of the stretchiness.
The big question I would ask instead depends upon how often you intend to use it. There is a pretty big difference in quality between 3mm suits, even within brands. If I were planning use it a lot, I would opt for the best quality, most durable suit.
The big question I would ask instead depends upon how often you intend to use it. There is a pretty big difference in quality between 3mm suits, even within brands. If I were planning use it a lot, I would opt for the best quality, most durable suit.
They are all easy if you wear a Lycra suit and socks underneath. Then you can focus on more
Important criteria for picking a suit.
Important criteria for picking a suit.
From a shoulder perspective, I have always found front zip suits to be more of a hassle to get off than back zip suits...with front zip, its like one needs to be a contortionist to get the suit off the shoulders and often need the help of another to pull the wet wetsuit back and down.
If shoulder mobility is your issue, perhaps look at a jacket top coupled with a high waist bottom.
As others have mentioned, the neoprene being used today by most manufacturers is super stretchy....I know that different brands, and different models within brands fit differently so perhaps just go to a few shops, try some on, and choose the one that fits your body the best. And as another poster mentioned, a lycra skin, like a sharkskin undersuit, helps quite a bit too.
I personally have had a good luck with Aqualung's Balance Comfort Aquaflex neoprene but it looks like they have a few options of stretchier stuff in their lineup (Dynaflex and Hydraflex) that seem worth taking a look at:
-Z
If shoulder mobility is your issue, perhaps look at a jacket top coupled with a high waist bottom.
As others have mentioned, the neoprene being used today by most manufacturers is super stretchy....I know that different brands, and different models within brands fit differently so perhaps just go to a few shops, try some on, and choose the one that fits your body the best. And as another poster mentioned, a lycra skin, like a sharkskin undersuit, helps quite a bit too.
I personally have had a good luck with Aqualung's Balance Comfort Aquaflex neoprene but it looks like they have a few options of stretchier stuff in their lineup (Dynaflex and Hydraflex) that seem worth taking a look at:
-Z
OP
fred32176
Contributor
The problem I have taking off a wetsuit is I get everything off but a big wad near my ankle. One foot will come out but getting the bunched up suit off the remaining ankle is a pain.
Perhaps a suit with ankle zippers like the Cressi Endurance.
Here is a discussion thread that might give you some more ideas:
3/2 Wetsuit with Ankle Zippers ??
My current 3/2 wetsuit is getting a bit ragged after 12 years. In looking for a new wetsuit, I can find very few with ankle zippers for under $150 or so. Any suggestions with brand and model that might work for me ?? I probably need an XL (men's). Thanks in advance.
Barring that, I find if I take my suit off standing up that I have a similar issue like you exprience, but if I sit down and pull the suit off my legs so the legs are inside-out once off that it saves me quite a bit of frustration....my suit has ankle zips and an inner cuff with smooth skin surface, boy is it a pain in the arse if I forget to open those zippers when doffing my suit, but when I do open them it comes off fairly easy.
-Z
Robert H. Diver
Contributor
The one you never put on.
jonhall
Contributor
Glad I came across this thread. I traded my falling apart 3mm wetsuit for a hat at the dive shop I dove with last year and only have a shorty at the moment. Will eventually be looking to purchase a new 3mm. Never thought about about ankle zippers before.
There were a couple of posts in the thread shared above questioning the purpose of the zippers. When it comes to the loss of flexibility, a sore back, a beer gut, etc..., it seems the zippers would make it a lot easier to don and remove a wetsuit. Are there any negatives?
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