Is my wet suit too tight? Will it stretch?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve now done 3 triathlons in my wet suit (Zoot Zenith) and it’s pretty tight around my chest. During the swim I always feel like I’m working harder to breath than I should have too. I’ve done a lot of swimming and never feel like that without a wet suit.

Is this normal? Will it stretch out if I wear it more? I was thinking of buying a size up, but looking at Zoot’s chart I’m easily within the size recommendations for this suit:

ML 180-200lbs or 82-91kg 5’10"-6’2" or 178-188cm 42"-43" or 107-109cm

My chest is 40" so I don’t get it. I’m 180, 6’0" tall. Should I go up a size anyway?

Thanks in advance.

2

A lot of suits you should add 10 lbs to your weight and if it pushes you up the next size or right on the border, you might benefit going up. As for what you have said, are you getting the shoulders fully on?

You may have to work these a bit as well as make sure you are getting the back pulled in correctly, but if your shoulders are not in properly, it can make the back and chest tighter.

3

I have the same suit, zenith. For me this is my first wet suit so I dont have ref point but it also feels very tight. I can not zipper the back by myself. Even when I get help zippering, they have to work it. I am 5’ 9" and 165lbs and bought the M.

4

I think they’re supposed to feel tight.

You may not be wearing it correctly. DO you have someone else help get the shoulders all the way on?

If not, you may want to consider that.

5

They’re supposed to be tight. Are you actually having trouble breathing, or is it just a comfort thing? I sometimes feel like my Helix is trying to choke me, but I get over it in a hurry and swim faster than my looser, more “comfortable” Reaction.

6

My dumb question, because you said you did three tri’s…I ask because the first time in a wet suit no one told me…Are you letting plenty of water in before, wiggling around to get it to seat right? First time in a wetsuit I thought was going to die, did not know to let water in…Just ignore if stupid ?

7

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=794621;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

link to what emilio mentioned about wetsuits. i now get them wet the day before the race so they stretch and don’t feel so tight.

8

Before jumping to conclusions about this particular wetsuit, as otjer have mentioned, make sure that you are putting the suit on properly and making sure the suit is fitted to you properly before you use it.

I go over this in a blog I wrote last year:

http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-all-about-fit.html

It’s amazing to me the numbers of triathletes who don’t take the time, to get their wetsuits on properly. I know, I have hung around many pre-race swims and triathlon swim starts and watched many triathletes!

9

When you’re in the water, pull the neck out and let water flow into the suit. This will allow it to shift around and loosen off the tight areas.

10

Look at some youtube videos on putting on a wetsuit. Pull the arms to your chest as close as possible. The beginning of my sleeve is over 2 inches past my wrist.

11

Thanks for all the great advice and links in this thread!!! To answer the questions:

  • It wasn’t that I had “trouble” breathing, but that it felt like I was working harder to get air than I should have to, and as if I was fighting the suit slightly while breathing.

  • I’ve never soaked the suit a few days before the triathlon. I will definitely do that!

  • I was pretty sure the arms were up high enough, as they didn’t feel tight in the shoulders. But I’ll try hiking them up higher.

  • I’ve never put water inside the suit when putting it on. I guess I was screwing that part up.

I’m game to give the suit another try using all these tips and see how it goes. Thanks again.