I’ve already decided that I’m going to go with a de soto 2 piece because of my build; I am 5’4," 29" inseam, 42" chest, 19" shoulders. Those last 2 numbers might go down a hair as I drop to race weight over the next month or two but the issue will still remain.
When looking through size charts I found that my shortness coupled with an upper body of someone 8" taller than me is just not going to work for a 1-piece…
Right now I’m torn on whether to go full sleeve or sleeveless. I’ve currently debating between de soto’s Smart1 pullover (FS) and the speedvest (SL).
Anyone here with large upper bodies find preference in either one?
I’m 5’11 200lbs and 46" chest. I have two wetsuits. DeSoto T1 2 piece and a TYR Hurricane. Both fit fine. 2 piece is nice because my bottoms are a size 5 and top is a 6. I forget what size the Hurricane is but it’s very comfortable.
You are about my height but much bigger chest than mine. I’m about a 36
I wear a size 4 Desoto top, it appears that you will need at least a size 5
I wear a size 4 Bottom. I had to cut a few inches off the legs of my bibjohn while my speed tube is straight from the factory. I really prefer the speedtube though.
xterra… and cut the legs(about 5" of adjustability) … 5’10" 205 (have 15 left to go) , 30" inseam 46" chest fit in the lg very comforatbly . I have the X2 sleeve suit and the vortex3 sleeveless (as well as an xl sleevless vortex3 from when I was uhhhhh plumper…
With the rockin discounts xterra has out there I paid less than 500 for the 2 suits (about 650 for all 3) …don’t pay retail… they always have a sale
Great service, swim in it fit guarantee, and great warranty … I tore a arm seam about 3 months in to the x2 … called them up…"send a picture …yup it’s covered…send it back… about a week later a brand new suit showed up at the door…
damn - lots of great responses here; I thought I was thorough in my research but I think I flunked…
@desert dude - thank you for that video. Never thougth I’d see a suit that flexible; it’s like something out of a superhero’s closet!
@bjhouck - did you find you had to modify your stroke at all or did the sleeves and elasticity allow for your natural stroke?
@thuddddddddddddddd - those look great, but where do I look for these bangin discounts? they’re all right above my price range right now at their retail; looks like this has an interesting list: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/xterrawetsuits.com but not so sure how legit it is.
I didn’t notice a problem maintaining my stroke. I certainly could tell I was wearing a wetsuit, but it didn’t keeping me from keeping my basic mechanics.
Though I’m not an expert swimmer, so I don’t know how much I could notice a small change.
That thick AeroDome rubber is super bouyant, and it makes the suit wicked fast.
I’m not sure what the TriSport deal is on returns for their sale items, but if they allow for it I would recommend trying it out (for normal items they allow you to swim in it once and still return it).
Another option for people who cannot find a sleeved wetsuit to fit are QR’s speed sleeves. They give a bit of warmth and help with the arm not feeling ‘naked’.
Another option for people who cannot find a sleeved wetsuit to fit are QR’s speed sleeves. They give a bit of warmth and help with the arm not feeling ‘naked’.
I have used the QR sleeves on a couple of occasions with a sleeveless suit. Here is a pic of what they look like on a person (me) if anyone was wondering what they look like.
Thanks for posting the picture up. BTW that’s a woman wearing a Nineteen Pipeline that’s coming up on your shoulder. I know, she started two waves ahead of you, right?
Thanks for posting the picture up. BTW that’s a woman wearing a Nineteen Pipeline that’s coming up on your shoulder. I know, she started two waves ahead of you, right?
If I’m being honest… she was in the wave in front of me. It’s not like I’m a slow swimmer either so she must have some skills seeing that she was in the oldest women’s wave. So yes, I was almost chicked out of the water by some 50+ year old woman who appears to be half my size. It wasn’t the first or last time.
Another option for people who cannot find a sleeved wetsuit to fit are QR’s speed sleeves. They give a bit of warmth and help with the arm not feeling ‘naked’.
I know that you have already made your choice, but I will second the Xterra recommendation. My build is almost identical to yours and their Small fits me fine. I, too, had a difficult time finding a suit for me and this was the best fit out of everything I tried. Amazing customer service, super fast delivery and RIDICULOUS discounts/sales (I think I used a retailmenot.com code).
