There are lots of glowing reviews on slowtwitch about the DeSoto T1 wetsuit, but they all seem to be from men. I’d like to hear from some women who are swimming in the DeSoto what they think. I’m particularly interested to hear about how it fits around the throat. When I tried on the top that should fit me according to the sizing charts, I was surprised at how constricting it felt around my throat. Have others had the same experience? Did this continue to be an issue once you were in the water?
What a weird coincidence - I thought it was just me. I got the T1 First Wave, and I hate having things that feel tight against my throat, and I haven’t been able to get used to it, though I’ve just tried it on, haven’t used it in the water. It fits everywhere except at the throat. Several of us (all women) have tried them on and we all have been surprised at how tight they feel against the throat, especially since the description says that it has a lower neckline so it’s not as constricting.
Today I did try on a friend’s in a size up - it still felt tight against my throat, somewhat less so though, and when I went in the water it felt less constricting. My friend also thought it seemed okay in the water, not as tight-feeling as it was on land.
My wife is wearing one this year…raced in it yesterday for the first time, made it on to the AG podium but has a bit of chaffing at the neck, I think this was a lack or misapplication of bodyglide issue as she hasn’t complained about tightness at the neck.
How a wetsuit feels on dry land is irrelevant. Swim in it and see how you feel, de soto has a kickass return policy so you’re not taking a risk.
PS I wear one too. My only connection to desoto is that I own enough of their stuff that Emilio should put me on his christmas card list 
I have one and love it. I have been using it for about a year and a half. I’ve done 2 oly’s, 3 HIM’s and 1 IM in it. Yes, it feels tight around the neck when you are not in the water but it is not a problem in the water. I highly recommend it:)
i’ve had one for 2.25 years. i’ve not had any problem from tightness at the throat, nor—more to the point—even thought of it. i surely consider this a factor with my other wetsuits with a conventional collar, but sort of considered the desoto a free pass in that department.
this resulted in a bad judgment call in my last 1/2 IM. i was so cool with the no-rub collar thing that i simply didn’t use any sportslick on my neck. i was home free. no problems for me. so, mid-swim, i was forced to ask myself just what the neck-rub deal was that was starting to gain my attention.
so i guess i’m back to doing a real grease nujmber on my neck when i’m going to be in salt water.
humbled peggy
I wonder if the style has changed with the latest models - because I notice that those who say they’ve had no problems have had them for a while, 1.5-2.5 years or so. When I tried on a used Desoto before buying one new, I don’t recall thinking the neck felt tight, and that’s something I would have noticed. But it’s definitly an issue for me with the new one.
I love the fit. I am short with large quads and the bids fit near perfect. The top does seem a little tight until it gets wet. I have the T1 top of the First Wave vest. The vest does not feel tight at all, but I opted for a larger size in the vest. I have raced in other wetsuits, but really love the float from the Desoto.