Alright, so I got a wetsuit gifted to me by a fellow triathlete, him and I are close to the same height and have similar frames. He is thinner, but said that he bought this suit when he was heavier, and thought it might fit me…
Good news is, it does…but I haven’t worn a wetsuit in about 15 years, last time was a nice Body Glove surfing wetsuit, which I still have, while I was surfing in the Navy. I’ve forgotten just how hard they are to get on.
It’s a sleeveless suit, which is perfect for me, and the upper body, once I got to that point, slid in really easily…but my legs, well they were tough, especially with my thighs, I don’t have an ounce of fat on my legs, but all the years of cycling have led to some developed quads. ONCE the suit was on it felt good, and felt right…but my question is, any tips for getting it onto your lower extremities, I don’t want to really pull at the neoprene or at the seams, but it felt like I was. I’m going to try Body Glide for sure, but didn’t know if any of the more experienced folks had some tips to share.
Have seen people putting plastic bags over their feet then pulling the wetsuit on. Don’t do it myself so not sure how it works.
Baby oil used to be in vogue, but I thought that it was mainly put on to pull the suit off quicker.
I did try using baby oil and did’n’t like it. Didn’t like the baby oil because it seemed to let water in at my wrists; it might however be o.k used in lesser amounts and on the lower legs.
As for the fit on your legs it could be a few things.
What level of suit is it - entery level, mid, high-end? The lower priced suits use a lower grade of rubber, that is generally less flexible and forgiving. I find that people with a bigger or muscular legs that have a lot of changes in shape in their legs from top to bottom, find a better fit in the higher end suits.
Look at the shape and cut of the leg. Is it shaped like a tube or does it have some accomodation for the changes in the shape of the leg. The more shaping and better panelling of the cuts leads to a better fit. That’s why usually, 8 panel cycling shorts fit better than 6 or 4!
How long has the suit been out of water? If the suit is totally dried out it can be a bit stiff. Soak it in water in the tub for an hour or two and then let it dry out. A micro amount of water will have gone back into the neoprene giving the rubber a bit more range of motion and flexibility.
How old is the suit? Neoprene tends to loose it’s elasticity over time and stiffen up. Not much that you can do with that other than to look at a new suit.
The plastic grocery bag over the feet works terrific.
Indeed, that helps the foot get through the lower leg and the gap at the bottom, but it can still be a struggle beyond that point. I would look to the points that I outlined in my post above.
If you will excuse a bit of partisan Nineteen promotion, we designed the EasyOff leg panel on our Frequency suit, to as it’s name suggests, comes off easily - and testers and owners tell me that the Frequency comes off the legs faster and easier than any other wetsuit that they have owned. An added bonus of the EasyOff leg panel is that the Frequency also goes ON easier than any other suit that people have owned. Many report to not needing a plastic bag!
Steve, I always appreciate your honesty when you answer everyone’s questions. That’s why I’d like to buy my 1st suit from your company. But I do have a few questions.
1st: Do you have a dealer in NC? I didn’t see one on the site.
2nd: I would like a high end (frequency?)model. No plans on upgrading after this purchase.
3rd: I feel like I would be more comfortable (but what do I know) in a sleeveless style. I will do only OLY’s and HM. I didn’t see one on the site.
4th: Not a good swimmer: 2m for 100yds. Does this make a difference? Flotation, improved body position is important to me.
Thanks again for your time.
Do you have a dealer in NC? I didn’t see one on the site.
Yes we do. TrySports http://trysports.org/ has a store in Charlotte. Call 704-544-4626. Please call them.
I would like a high end (frequency?)model. No plans on upgrading after this purchase.
Good call.
I feel like I would be more comfortable (but what do I know) in a sleeveless style. I will do only OLY’s and HM. I didn’t see one on the site.
The Riptide Sleeveless is our mid-level sleeveless model. However, if the Frequency fits you and works for you, you will be better off in the full suit particularly for the 1/2 IM distance swims - it’s warmer and faster!!
**Not a good swimmer: 2m for 100yds. Does this make a difference? Flotation, improved body position is important to me. **
Better body position is really what a good wetsuit is doing for you, and weaker swimmers will benefit more from this than the stronger ones. It’s all good!
