Another wetsuit tale/question.....but longer.

[Eric Sedletzky]

I find the easiest suits to get in and out of are the slick skin freediving suits. They’re a little messy because they have to be lubed up to put them on, even after surface intervals. I use about a 6:1 water/hair conditioner solution in a spray bottle. I bring a little indoor/outdoor carpet remnant which I unroll on the ground in the parking lot.

I own probably 7-8 wetsuits ranging from 3 mil up to 1/2” (13 mil). I even have a few nylon lined suits, one’s a 7mil one piece back zip (scubapro) and a Bare 5/4 one piece. Those are actually harder to get into than my skin-in custom suits.
To the OP, try rolling the suits on instead of pulling and sliding them on. Moisture and friction are the enemy to lined suits with clammy sweaty skin. It sounds like you needed a size bigger in the brand you tried on. Not all brands are cut the same.
If you are lucky enough to have a dive shop that supplies freediving gear in your area, try on a slick skin freediving suit. It’s messy and a hassle, but we have one in our area (The Freediveshop inWest Sacramento) and they have a special shower stall where they have you don and doff lubed up wetsuits. No watches or lewelry, no earrings or rings, trim your finger nails, bring a speedo.

 

[Geobound]

Thank you all for your kine replies.

I've been away for the long weekend (Civic Holiday here in Ontario), but will get to reading (and replying) to these tomorrow.

Have a stellar weekend folks!

 

[MargaritaMike]

Thank you all for your kine replies.

I've been away for the long weekend (Civic Holiday here in Ontario), but will get to reading (and replying) to these tomorrow.

Have a stellar weekend folks!

I hope you have enjoyed your holiday. I have earmarked your original post for when I need to laugh or just put a smile on my face. While I'm sure that it wasn't that funny at the time, every time that I read it, I laugh. Again, good luck in your wet-suit journey.
Cheers -

 

[Geobound]

You folks are amazing, thank you very much for all the wonderful ideas. I do like the shampoo drink, and the fact that you smell nice when you are done. LOL.......

My LDS does carry Hendersons, but if I recall they didn't have a large available at the time for me to try on.

I think I will get them to fit me with an XL and a L when I'm in there this weekend, and at least this way I can see and feel the difference.

I never thought about the wet skin dry suit or dry skin wet suit and the problems that could be associated with it, but I guess that makes sense.

In fact I'm actually at the store on Saturday, but in the pool on Sunday so maybe I can get him to bring a few to try out there.

I realize that they will more than likely be rental suits, but that should help in deterring the best size given the fact that they will be stretched some.

I have no objections going straight to a dry suit, but considering you have to be certified in that and I'm just get my OW this weekend it may be a little too soon for that?

I know that $500.00 is a lot of money to potentially waste if I do plan on going straight to dry, but it's not like I can't get some use out of a wetsuit at some point?

I just hope that the neck portion fits better on a drysuit as the neck portion on the wetsuit was so tight it was actually choking/making me gag.

The dilemmas of being a new guy! Hahahaha......

I hope you have enjoyed your holiday. I have earmarked your original post for when I need to laugh or just put a smile on my face. While I'm sure that it wasn't that funny at the time, every time that I read it, I laugh. Again, good luck in your wet-suit journey.
Cheers -

LOL........I have no problem being made fun of, or making fun of others, so feel free to laugh at my expense.

Once the initial panic of not being able to get it off straight away passed, I have to admit I did see the funny side of it and almost wished that there was a camera in the change room.

Perhaps I should wear a GoPro on my head the next time I try and don one of these suckers. LOL.....

 

[JamesBon92007]

I just hope that the neck portion fits better on a drysuit as the neck portion on the wetsuit was so tight it was actually choking/making me gag.
..

That was the only complaint in the reviews I read about the suit I bought--the neck was too tight. Personally I didn't think it was really any worse than other suits I've worn, but any discomfort disappeared when I tucked my hood in.

 

[Chad S]

LMAO at your story! This was a helpful website for me:

How to Select a Wetsuit Size - Aqua Zealots

 

[stuartv]

I realize that they will more than likely be rental suits, but that should help in deterring the best size given the fact that they will be stretched some.

It seems like most people find their wetsuit seems to shrink over time, not get stretched out...

 

[MrBigfins]

I'm an odd body size for wetsuits, I'm over 6'6 and 255. I have a long torso for my height. Almost no sizing chart accommodates my height, and when you get to the max height on charts my waist is 10 to 12" smaller than the listing for that size. I dive a Hollis neotek semidry 7/8mm hooded for cold water, it's an xxl. I use a 3mm shorty that's neosport 3xl and a 3mm full suit that's 4xl and it's still a bit tight in torso height. Definitely dont dive in too tight of a suit as its miserable, you want it to be snug, but you want to be able to breathe.
As for getting in and out of the suits, I need assistance in zipping my front zip hillis and I need a tug to get my first arm out. That's what buddy are for. I'm not really flexable so I may need a back zip from time to time on my other suits as well

 

[ZzzKing]

I only use a 3mm, but I quit trying to slide it on and instead pull the limbs almos all the way inside out. Put both feet throu the ankle holes (into the inside out legs) and then roll the suit up your legs (kind of the opposite of when that girlfriend peeled off the tight jeans!). Then I do the same with the arms. Taking it off I let peel inside out.
Good luck?

I refer to this as the “Condom Method”. It works really well, especially when combined with a plastic bag to get the feet / hands started.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Taking it off I let peel inside out.
Good luck?

Good point. I think every wetsuit I ever had came off inside out. That has the added advantage of when you hang it up to dry it won't get faded on the outside if you need to leave it in the sun for a little while.