Anybody tried this? I have an older suit that’s quite worn and torn and thought about pulling the sleeves off to make it sleeveless, but worried it could ruin the whole thing. Thoughts, suggestions?
sounds very risky… the new edges would be very easily torn since there would be no seam or stitching to prevent it.
it also probably would let water into the arm holes.
I did this to a 6 year old Orca sonar. It wasn’t very expensive to begin with and I outgrew the shoulders what with swimming 4 times a week. I couldn’t put it on anymore. I tried selling it twice and no takers. So I figured I’m stuck with it. At least if I turned it into a sleeveless I could maybe wear it again, and so it was. Fits great. Water isn’t coming in at the armpits despite not having the thicker rubber with stitching that normal sleeveless have there. I was very careful and cut just outside the existing seams so as not to compromise the chest and back panels. I cut off conservatively and trimmed more from there. Mind those seams and reinforcing points. Measure and mark first, then cut. Look on both sides before cutting.
Maybe take it to a scuba shop? They work with neoprene all the time and would know how to keep the seams from splitting open.
Awesome! Glad to hear it can be done, thanks for your feedback
i havent cut a human wetsuit but its very very common for people to cut dog neoprene vest (which i have done). If your worried about your seems just get some neoprene cement (dive shops have it) and the seem will be rock solid then. It super easy to do, just remember that its way easier to cut more than to add back!