Wetsuit sizes

[Swifter]

Looking for people’s experience of buying wetsuits please . This will be online purchases so would be nice if I could get it right for once . I am normally medium size so was going to order large . Is it as easy as that ?

 

[Jenben]

Looking for people’s experience of buying wetsuits please . This will be online purchases so would be nice if I could get it right for once . I am normally medium size so was going to order large . Is it as easy as that ?

No

You are best to use your overall weight for deciding what to buy and your height.

what is your budget and what do you want to use it for ?

I have a few wetsuits as I swim all year.

 

[Swifter]

No

You are best to use your overall weight for deciding what to buy and height .

what is your budget and what do you want to use it for ?

Will be using it for cold water swimming and also some kayaking in the winter months . On a lake, not the sea .I am willing to spend whatever is needed to keep me comfortable

 

[Jenben]

Well it’s a bit of a wide range , if you are going to swim all through the winter I quite like Alpkit as they have a winter weight wetsuit which will keep you warmer.

Www.alpkit.co.uk I have a summer and winter wetsuit from them .


Wiggle have lots of brands and have an easy returns set up , if is hard to find the right fit depending on your body shape.

A swim wetsuit is very different to anything you might need in a kayak , a decent set of neoprene leggings and a neoprene vest might be best for that.

If you aren’t sure about whether you will like it then Decathlon are a good starting point in terms of price and quality.

I have been swimming all year around for over 3 years now and my neoprene habit is extensive

 

[Coolcats]

Looking for people’s experience of buying wetsuits please . This will be online purchases so would be nice if I could get it right for once . I am normally medium size so was going to order large . Is it as easy as that ?

Going back in time the choice for my wife was a made to measure wet suit or an engagement ring……,

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[Lenny HB]

I recently bought a summer one for Paddleboarding has to buy an XL no way am I that big I'm only 75 kg. The boarding type suits are made for the youngsters so slim fitting.

 

[Swifter]

I recently bought a summer one for Paddleboarding has to buy an XL no way am I that big I'm only 75 kg. The boarding type suits are made for the youngsters so slim fitting.

Thanks Lenny . Do you mind if I ask how tall you are ?

 

[haganap]

my experience as a triathlete. keep your money in your back pocket.
I have a speedo medium wet suit, it's my faithful, I spent about £100 ish on it from decathlon. It works its never let me down and I am a medium cloth size and its a medium wet suit.
fast forward 2 / 3 years. My coach said to upgrade my wet suit and buy a Orca 3.8 at £599 as it will lift my sinking legs. I wear it once, it rips, I send it back and they argue saying it's my nails. I send a picture of my nails and they resend it. I give every measurement of my frame and they resend a new one. My last wetsuit swim on Friday prior to Ironman Frankfurt next week, I put it on and the gusset is destroyed. Black witch repair has come to my rescue. No doubt I will be blamed if I complain.
As said it will depend on what you want it for but money does not = longevity if you ask me.

I swim open water about 5-10 miles per week in the summer and love my old speedo but it is slower for swimming in races.

 

[Jon B]

Looking for people’s experience of buying wetsuits please . This will be online purchases so would be nice if I could get it right for once . I am normally medium size so was going to order large . Is it as easy as that ?

Huub run pretty true to size - As Jenben says above, take a look at Wiggle online - easy order / sale on at the mo / easy no quibble returns - just pick the one you like and order the two sizes closest to what you think will be right, then return one of them

 

[pelican]

Going back in time the choice for my wife was a made to measure wet suit or an engagement ring……,

Does she still wear it?

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[Coolcats]

Does she still wear it?

Yup it still fits and no we did not get an engagement ring.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Just accept that whatever suit you get next time you put it on it will have shrunk ( or at least it will seem that way)

Realistically you need to try the suit on. It needs to be snug yet allow movement. Gaps will let water slosh around perhaps nice for warm summer but in the UK water never gets that warm and if you are in for a while….

You can layer up neoprene but it’s never as nice as the right thickness. Look for something with a bit of stretch and give. Pay attention to whether seams will start to rub in nasty places. Look also at how well zips are put together and if those need any flaps to limit water flow. Check also that armless and neck seals fit without cutting off circulation.

 

[Kirsten]

Neoprene leggings are best imo for kayaking as arms free and you can get them off to go for a pee! Bought some cheapies from amazon 3 mm - good fit true to size

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Lenny . Do you mind if I ask how tall you are ?

I've srunk was 5'10 but measured at the docs recently 5'8".
The wetsuit I bought was one from "Two Bare Feet" only 40 quid a summer 2.5mm one. Very good sizing info on there website had to get the XL for the chest size. Impressed with the quality for the price.

 

[grasscutter]

Take into account the thickness as well. In my experience thinner suits have more stretch.
Also some suits vary in their materials.
I am normally XL but my O’Neil Hyperfreak 4/3 is large.
Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule. You do need to try them on.

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[cyberyacht]

I've got my old Gul dinghy sailing/surfing long johns and jacket in the loft. Haven't worn it for over 25 years. Don't think I'll squeeze into it now.

 

[Armytwowheels]

As a swimmer and a kayaker, I would say that to to get the right sort of wetsuit for swimming, would then be too tight and restrictive for kayaking. Swimming wet suits are not designed to be in the sitting position that you would be in a kayak.

Are you a breast stroke swimmer or front craw? Believe it or not there is a difference in the suits. A suit designed for front crawl makes is almost impossible to swim breast stroke comfortably, especially if you are a heads up swimmer. However, go for a neutral suit for Breast stroke and you can do front crawl.

As for kayaking in the winter, I have a two piece wet suit with high waisted dungery type design and a pullover style top. The two piece allows the movement you need for getting in and out of the boat.