I did Deuces Wild this weekend in Show Low, AZ where the lake temp for the swim was 67 degrees. I had rented a wetsuit and never had a chance to try it out before the race (I know, I know). I got in and let some water in the suit and the thing blew up like a balloon. Water was coming in through the legs and arms. Off it came and I did the swim in my race suit only. I wasn’t a happy camper. I went to try on wetsuits today and have had no luck with Zoot or Profile Design. I am 6’0 to 6’1 and about 165 pounds with skinnyish arms and legs. So for you wetsuit experts or those with similar builds, what brands should I look at next?
You sound similar to me, 5’11’’ (used to be 6ft!), ~162-165 lbs “in season”. I also have pretty skinny legs and arms, but a bit wide in the shoulders. Swimming is my strongest leg. I tried many suits, most in an endless pool, some in store, and finally settled on a blue 70 sleeveless. I didn’t try a two piece. Incidently, this was the first sleeveless that I tried on, it fit so well I never tried another. The sleeveless style is the only one that fit well across the chest and also in the hips. BTW, I found that body length is also critical, you don’t want a bunch of extra neoprene at the crotch, or so tight that your shoulders are pulled down or you feel constrained by the suit. I could fit into one or two others without too much problem, but found those suits too tight in the shoulders (RocketScience & Orca). Medium tall fit me well. Take them for a swim, if possible, thats really the best way to evaluate the fit.
I wear a 3 year old Orca Predator 2. I am 6 foot and my weight wanders from 165 to 173. I always need a zip it fits so tight. Water rarely gets in but its comfy. It is so dry you will notice the occasional shot of water up the sleeve. FWIW.
What about for skinny girls? Anyone know good wetsuits/sizing for us? I am 5’4.5’’ and weigh around 105 lbs . The Orca Predator 2 (size 4 I think) that I bought in 2003 fit me like a glove when I weighed 115-120 now has water rushing up the sleeves and the neck when I swim and holds water in the stomach when I get in the water. Wetsuits that fit my weight range seem to be out of my height range or too tight in the shoulders. Any recommendations?
I swim with a girl who’s about 5’3", 115 so just a bit more built than you. She tried out a Zoot Zenith last week and was complaining about how tight it was. You’re a bit skinnier so maybe it’ll work. The Zenith is the expensive one but I imagine the sizing is similar throughout their range.
I have some extra body fat that I am working to get rid of, but it is localized in my torso. I have skinny arms and legs with wide shoulders. I am having the issues mainly with the arms and legs fitting properly. Thanks for giving me a complex. I am going to have to go out and buy some Zipp’s to make myself feel better about myself.
i’m a skinny(ish) dude too…my best advice would be to simply try on as many suits as you can…if you can’t and must buy online then look for unbiased reviews which take into consideration actual size & fit compared to what the charts indicate…for example the Orca chart recommends a 6-6.5 for me, i ended up with a glove-like fit in a size 5 (sleeveless mind you, another factor to consider)…fwiw Orca have a reputation for fitting swimmers of a more “athletic” shape…
I had that same issue. Let me tell you, the solution is Aquaman! Their suit has a “european” cut, and for me, 6’0, 155lbs, but decent shoulders, fits perfectly. Try one, as they are among the fastest…
The first thing I’d recommend is to ALWAYS go by weight when guessing the size for a wetsuit. Having it a little short won’t hurt but having it too big and as you said, “blow(ing) up like a balloon” is never a good thing.
Personally, I’m 5’10" 134lbs and after having a sleeveless QR which was too big I am now in a blueseventy Helix size XS and it is awesome. Fits like a glove and is super fast. Do the legs come all the way to my ankles? No, but if they did I’d cut them anyway so its not an issue. Good luck with your search.
I’ve had good luck with Aquaman suits (Profile Design partner now), 2XU, and Xterra.
I’ve generally either sized down or made sure that I was at the top of the weight range on each brand. Also, don’t be afraid of trying a women’s suit as long as they don’t have ‘boobs’…the Aquaman suits have a different front panel for the women’s suits. 2XU also has thinner markings on the women’s suits, but I think that is the main difference.
When I got mine it came from one of the big three on-line tri places. I hestitate to say which one because I’m only about 85% sure where I got it but the deal was they shipped it and I got to swim in it and if I didn’t like it to send it back and they would send another one. Your card is charged in the interim but that is a pretty fair deal. Ask them - all they can say is no.
