For those of you with small waists (~30-32) and broader shoulders / chest, what wetsuits have you found that have worked for you? I’ve been through a couple of Blue sevety’s and Desotos that have just still felt too tight around the shoulders/chest.
I am of that shape.
But you mentioned Blu70 already, and that is what I have.
In my experience, you’ll have to get a suit that fits you properly in the body, but is high-end enough (read: Flexible) to work well in the shoulders.
Low end Blu70 did not work for me, but the Helix is great.
They are all shaped a bit different across brands, but I’d guess that higher end suits will be your best bet.
You know that you can go a size bigger just on the top of the Desoto. I’m inbetween sizes at the moment, so i go to the bigger one with no ill effects. Nice thing about the two piece, if you happen to get a little water in up top, it passes through the suit, and does not pool like in a one piece…
I have a 29-30" waist and broad shoulders. I wear small tall. I raced in the Xterra Vector Pro for 3 years. For the last 2 years, it has been the Xterra Vendetta. The wetsuit is great, fast and flexible in the shoulders. I tried the 2010 Helix and did not like the feel.
I have the same problem.
I have found that I wear an XL shirt, but it’s baggy around the waist. So in a tri-top I wear an L. This works when the top is sleeveless.
So what I’m getting at is that you may find a sleeveless suit to be just the ticket to fit your body.
If a fullsuit is important to you, then go up one size and live with it being baggy around the waist. It probably won’t be much of a detriment.
If you can, try on a Zoot Zenith 2.0. The shoulder flexibility is fantastic.
I’ve def thought about just going sans sleeves because of this issue. The question then becomes – i guess rather subjectively-- how cold can the water be to safely use a sleeveless? How cold is too cold for a sleeveless?
same problem, but no solution; seems like either too tight in shoulders or so loose, i take on a ton of water…tried a couple of Xterra’s and Profiles, and a Ironman brand…still looking, trying to find a used Desoto top…
I still like the sleeveless…I have no problem at all down to the low 60s…Of course I started racing way before the tri wetsuits were invented. Back then at times we’d hit high 50s sans wetsuit. Of course we were tougher then, walked up hill both ways to school in the snow, etc.
I have been happy with my Xterra sleeveless. I tried the full-sleeved version, but never felt comfortable with the rang of movement. It’s warm enough for april/may races too!
I have been happy with my Xterra sleeveless. I tried the full-sleeved version, but never felt comfortable with the rang of movement. It’s warm enough for april/may races too!
And when their sleeveless goes on sale, it sells for $99!
Hi there. Having been a competitive swimmer my whole life and triathlete for 15 seasons now, I have broad shoulders. That being said I LOVE my TYR Hurricane C5. For one there is a wetsuit out there that was designed by swimmers for swimming. TYR has nailed range of motion for the shoulders and flexibility for the whole suit. I don’t get out of the water anymore with tight shoulders or a stiff back. The suit is hands down the BEST SUIT I"VE EVER SWAM IN! I’ve swam in the V:1 by 2XU, Orca’s top end suit and saddly I have swam in XTerra (mistake on my part, but hey you can’t beat cheap). Listen, if you truely want to invest in being fast in the water and coming out ready to take on the rest of the race you should seriously concider the TYR Hurrican line.
Todd
www.kompetitiveedge.com
www.tyr.com
and if anyone happens to be going to Kona you have to check out the Torque…it’s the real deal.
QR Superfull has been great for me, very flexible in shoulders
.
I’ve had similar problems finding a full wetsuit that fits well in the shoulders. I’ve been thinking about trading my full for a sleeveless and a pair of QR speed sleeves. Anybody have any experience with them?
Count me as one who loves the shoulders in the TYR Hurricane Cat 3 & 5. I have worn both and as good as the 3 is, the 5 is almost like it is not even there in terms of resistance.
For comparison, the old QR Superfull was also good in this regard. All of the Orcas fit me tight in the shoulders. Blu Seventy Helix was o.k. but shoulders not near the TYR.
Your mileage may vary, for me I have tried the QR Superfull, Orca 3.8 and Alpha, Blue Seventy Helix, and TYR Cat 3 & 5. Superfull was my first. Loved it, but lost weight and under grew it. Once I got into the TYRs I have not looked back. Best fitting suit for me and I seriously notice no added fatigue or resistance. Their customer support is also excellent and they stand behind their products.
I agree with Monty. Have you ever called DeSoto and personally spoken with Emilio about fit on their suits? Pretty sure he would be able to hook up a good fit and if not, as you probably know, their 14-day return policy means virtually no risk beyond shipping costs.
Hello,
Emilio De Soto here. I want to personally invite you to try the product out and form your own opinion. Buy it, wear it, test it, and decide for yourself. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you risk nothing but the time to test it. Please read our guarantee below, see if any of our competitors will offer you the same and let me know if you have any other questions.
T1 WETSUITS 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
De Soto Sport offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our wetsuits. If you are not satisfied with one of our wetsuits at the time you receive it, or if it does not perform to your satisfaction within the first 15 days of the purchase date, return it for repair, replacement, or refund. This guarantee does not apply to other De Soto Sport products. See De Soto Sport 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
I am 145lbs, 5’7", 41" chest with 31" waist. I have the 2XU E:1 in a SM and it is too tight. Their sizing runs small.
I am planning on trying a Blue Seventy Reaction sleeveless tomorrow
You will have to get the fine people at Blue70 to reply to you with what size you would be in their wetsuit.
As for sizing in a T1 Wetsuit, if you send me the following all at one time, I can recommend a size in both Pullover and Bibjohn:
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
CHEST
WAIST
HIPS
AGE
Second on the De Soto love; great range of motion, and the two-piece design lets you get top and bottom sizes that fit you best.