Having just gone through the struggles of a wetsuit I can give you some "new guy" advice.
Of course if you want to have a laugh at my expense, then you can go here...... Another wetsuit tale/question.....but longer.
Anyway I know first hand the horrors of trying on a wetsuit for the first time, and believe me it's worse than what you may think it is.
I would strongly suggest that you see your dive shop a few days in advance and try on what they have, as you don't want to leave this until the last minute.........they may not have one to fit you, or they only have one and can't find it in time.
When I did my sizing I was anywhere from a medium to I believe a 2XL?? It did depend on brand, but the dive shop was trying to get me into a large (and with help it finally fit), but the XL was the way to go for me......at least with the Bare 7mm Reactive version.
I'm 5'10", 200lbs with a bit of a belly, and I found the Large to be a killer to breathe in.
Apparently the suits will stretch to the shape of your body overtime, but somehow I found being able to breathe NOW more important than the suit stretching later.
Besides if it turns out to be a bit bigger after it stretches some, then just wear a rash guard underneath and that will take up the slack.
As for a wetsuit in the pool........I didn't need one as the temperature was fine, but certainly needed one in the lake for my OW.
Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.
John
Of course if you want to have a laugh at my expense, then you can go here...... Another wetsuit tale/question.....but longer.
Anyway I know first hand the horrors of trying on a wetsuit for the first time, and believe me it's worse than what you may think it is.
I would strongly suggest that you see your dive shop a few days in advance and try on what they have, as you don't want to leave this until the last minute.........they may not have one to fit you, or they only have one and can't find it in time.
When I did my sizing I was anywhere from a medium to I believe a 2XL?? It did depend on brand, but the dive shop was trying to get me into a large (and with help it finally fit), but the XL was the way to go for me......at least with the Bare 7mm Reactive version.
I'm 5'10", 200lbs with a bit of a belly, and I found the Large to be a killer to breathe in.
Apparently the suits will stretch to the shape of your body overtime, but somehow I found being able to breathe NOW more important than the suit stretching later.
Besides if it turns out to be a bit bigger after it stretches some, then just wear a rash guard underneath and that will take up the slack.
As for a wetsuit in the pool........I didn't need one as the temperature was fine, but certainly needed one in the lake for my OW.
Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.
John