wet suit roomy or tighty

[coralcrazed]

recently purchased a wetsuit shorty style for warm water diving... its a front ziper style for ease of getting in and out of. It seems tight but I'm not sure how tight it should really be. I went to one of the "other" guys. they never explained what I should be looking for. Now I think that I may have gotten fit for a bigger wet suit than I need. Should they be tight? and why??? seems like I should know the answer to this one but it must be the hour.

[NitroWill]

You don't want roomy, that would cause it to lose all of its thermal properties. You want the wetsuit to be tight but not to the point of cutting of circulation. A tight wetsuit will allow less water to entry and keep your core temperature higher

[BobArnold8265]

Wetsuits should fit like your second skin. There should be no gaps or pockets that allow water to settle in. However, it should not be uncomfortable (especially in the water) or restrict your movement. I think most guys feel uncomfortable in wetsuits since on the whole we prefer to keep our clothing lose and comfortable. Just remember, a wetsuit often feels uncomfortable on the surface but expans a bit underwater.

[coralcrazed]

yup I'm one of those guys who likes baggy clothes. Buy interestingly enough I like to wear my wet suit. I for one dive in warm water and never really got cold on any dives. I'm what most would consider HOT blooded. That is why I chose a shorty just to give a bit more warmth to my core. anyway, judging from your descriptions of how it should fit. I think I got the right size.

[ScubaJenn81]

I need help getting my wetsuit zipped up or/and I need to suck in a bit to get it secure, but once it is one, it feels fine and I do not have any issues moving underwater at all.

[WV Diver]

If you can put two fingers under the suit at the wrist, ankle and neck without too much difficulty and without too much slack you are close. Different body types have different issues obviously but you get the idea.

Your suit should not allow a "free flow" of water to be exchanged in and out of your suit as you dive or have big baggy places that traps air and on the other side of the coin it should not be so tight that you notice any movement restrictions or difficulties raising your hands above your head or squatting on the surface.

Also depending on the temperature changes that your diving may take you to you may consider getting a hyperstretch material that allows you to wear another suit under it and still maintain the above criteria. I have a 3mm hyperstretch suit that I can wear another 3mm chicken with a 5mm hood or a short/long sleeve shorty under it for when the temps start to drop.

I always put off climbing into my drysuit till the last possible minute and I can use just the shorty in very warm water. This is a very versatile setup for me and keeps me from having to buy a 7mil suit that I have to fight to get in and out of.

[subsur]

you don't want a suit to be too tight (your coronary should deliver blood without much interuption, also your wrists should not be too compressed or your ahnds will get cold sooner). You should feel a bit restrained in movements in a well fitted wetsuit but breathing should be more or less normal. baggy wetsuit will lose its thrmal protection.

[coralcrazed]

ok what happens if you loose weight? can you take a wet suit to your taylor for modifications? (maybe a stupid question)

[jo8243]

Originally Posted by BobArnold8265

Wetsuits should fit like your second skin. There should be no gaps or pockets that allow water to settle in. However, it should not be uncomfortable (especially in the water) or restrict your movement. I think most guys feel uncomfortable in wetsuits since on the whole we prefer to keep our clothing lose and comfortable. Just remember, a wetsuit often feels uncomfortable on the surface but expans a bit underwater.

Good advice. Plus, mine always seems to feel tighter before I get in the water. After that it feels better. But if it's constricting blood flow/breathing, it's too tight.

[mdwestgrl]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

ok what happens if you loose weight? can you take a wet suit to your taylor for modifications? (maybe a stupid question)

Unfortunately I have never found one that will tailor wetsuits. Not sure if that means they won't/can't. Or I just haven't found one that does.