I swim with a base model Xterra wetsuit and no matter how much I practice it takes me forever to get the wetsuit off. I have to work extra hard to get my feet out. I am wondering what would happen if I cut the legs off at the calf. It doesn’t seem like this would impact buoyancy much and might make it faster to get the wet suit off.
Good idea, bad idea? Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Bill
Yes, cut it. You wont look back. I’ve had no problems with cutting mine, and I can get it off way quicker now.
Have you tried vaseline on the outside of the bottom 4" of the legs?
You’d cut buoyancy… not good in my book.
I cut about 2" off mine…went from taking a long time to get off to taking a few seconds. I didn’t notice any difference in my swim times. My suit was pretty thin down there, so the buoyancy loss was minimal.
I have cut all of my wet suits to mid-calf. You’ll never know it’s missing until transition, when it literally slides off and you step out.
Thanks for all the feedback. I will cut it and give it a try. Is there any special way that I should cut the wetsuit or just use a razor blade on a hard surface?
Thanks!
Bill
I’m interested in cutting mine, what do you use to cut it?
I used a pair of scissors
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Scissors.
I would like to cut mine too. What about the stitching, won’t it unravel if it is cut to high?
I haven’t had any issues with unraveling. I think it was someone from Xterra that told me I should use a dab of wet suit glue on the cut threads. I didn’t do it though, and I’ve been fine without it.
“won’t it unravel if it is cut to high?”
After 4 years, mine hasn’t.
I cut about 2" off mine…went from taking a long time to get off to taking a few seconds. I didn’t notice any difference in my swim times. My suit was pretty thin down there, so the buoyancy loss was minimal.
well, your swim times couldn’t get any worse…
xoxo!
“well, your swim times couldn’t get any worse…”
Hey! I represent that comment…Unfortunately, I think my swim problems run deeper then lack of neoprene around my ankles. Where were you at Pumpkinman today? I think the swim was a bit long (at least, I heard someone else say that so it must be true)…you would have loved it. A fine day for outdoor recreating…
I wasn’t at Pumpkinman
I did an oly in Camden ME last weekend
this weekend I worked on my thesis 
.
My Mrs had the same problem with a Zoot wettie she once had and I was also worried about her loosing too much buoyancy as she had a weak kick, so the solution I came up with was to cut the bottom of the suit at an angle, longer in the front and cut back around the calve so that it made the hole larger in effect while minimising the amount of neoprene removed.
Worked great for her so you may want to give it a try.
If it still doesnt help, you can always cut the leg off shorter and square.
I was at Pumpkinman… If the swim was long, it wasn’t by much. I had a little trouble sighting the first leg in the fog and then on the loop into the sun, so any extra length was more of my fault for poor lines.
Everyone here recommends cutting them but I will go against the grain. The assumption being made by everyone is that wetsuits are all about bouyancy. We have to remember that wetsuits were first used years ago by open water swimmers to insulate them against cold water and avoid hypothermia. Bouyancy only came about after swimmers saw the advantages of more bouyant material. I do a lot of open water swim races and these start in Spring where water tempts have been in the high 50s - and my hands and feet feel like they’re dipped into ice-water. During these events, I’ve seen swimmers use booties (which I don’t like to use) but I do wish my wetsuit covered more of my legs - down to my ankles; and arms up to my wrist.
If you think that you won’t ever use your wetsuit on extremely cold events - then cut it. Otherwise I would reconsider.
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KDW glad you raced again!! It was a perfect day huh? And glad Jeff finally got out to race the course we loved designing…and for the record the swim was not long, initially measured to do the same run out we do every year (but instead we swam around that buoy), so if anything it was a tad short.
Kat,
When I lay out my schedule, I start with Pumpkinman and then figure out what else fits in…wouldn’t miss it.
I think when there are sighting issues due to sun/fog, people are always going to think (hope) the course was long.
The other feature that added some time to the course for me (and to keep things on topic) was that I took my wetsuit (with the calves cut off) off in the water before crossing the mat for the hillclimb.
Thanks for putting on a great race! It was my wife’s first HIM and she’ll be back next year as well for her 2nd!
Kyle