Putting on wetsuit problems

[BrianOrange]

So I just received my full 5mm wetsuit today. What's the easiet way to put these things on? It's always such a struggle for me. And is it physically possible to zip these things up by yourself? Or do you always have to have your buddy help you out?

[imwright1985]

if yours is like mine just slip it on like it would logically make sense, when you go to zip the back you can usually get it to go easier by adjusting your shoulders and holding the lower part of the zipper in one hand while pulling the lanyard. some people have difficulties with zipping though since not everyones shoulders swing around nicely

[Prostar]

You dry, suit wet---Difficult
Suit dry, you wet---Difficult
You dry, suit dry---Better
You wet, suit wet---Even better

Some tricks I have heard of and tried somewhat are...
Wear something like nylons underneath to facilitate slippage.
Put your hands and feet in plastic bags to facilitate slippage. Don't forget to take the bags off. If you do leave them on, send pictures.

Yeah, I have that shoulders issue. I need my buddy to zip it for me.

[Bubbletrubble]

A polyolefin or Lycra dive skin worn underneath the wetsuit can make wetsuit donning easier. It tends to decrease friction. Also, over time, the wetsuit will loosen up a little.

I'm guessing that your wetsuit has a vertical back-zip. Yes, you can zip these up yourself. A length of cord looped through the zipper pull or attached leash can help you accomplish this. Locally, everyone wears a 7mm wetsuit with a separate bibbed hood. It's difficult to get the hood skirt tucked under the suit properly, so many of us get our buddy to tuck and zip.

Enjoy your new wetsuit.

[Brian Sharpe]

I normally wear a 7mm so I can relate to the joys of donning a wetsuit. (Mine's a Bare Arctic - not one of the fancy super stretch ones)

I don't resort to anything exotic for donning the suit, just in with the legs, pull the suit up and then slip my right arm in, followed by the left & then (for lack of a better term) sort of a reverse shrug to put everything in place. The zipper was a pain until I developed enough flexibility in my right shoulder (it's much easier to have your buddy help), make sure you hold the tab at the bottom of the zipper while you're pulling on the lanyard.

If it fits you properly you shouldn't find getting in and out of it too difficult, but it gets easier with practice.

[parzdiver]

I typically had a difficult time with getting a thick full suit up on my legs until I read a trick (here on SB). Turn the legs inside out, except for below the knee down. Slip that part over your feet and then "roll" the legs the rest of the way up. You can do the same thing with your arms as well.

[BrianOrange]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. I might try putting this thing on again tonight and pull a little harder on the zip cord. I just don't want to break or tear anything. Anyways, all the more reason to like warm water diving in my easy to don 3mm long sleeve shorty! Alas, that won't help me much on my trip to the Keys in February. Hence the new suit.

[spectrum]

BrianOrange,

If you can't don your suit while carrying on a relaxed conversation then the fit and/or your techique are lacking. In this feature I discuss these issues and others.

Pete

[parzdiver]

I have to give Pete (aka spectrum) credit, that is the page where I read about the technique I use.

[Scubadam]

No, you should be able to get it zipped by yourself, though even I have troubles sometimes. Sometimes if you wet it first, it will make it easier to put on.