AQUALUNG HydroFlex 3mm Wetsuit

[Ross19966]

I'm looking at this suit for tropical use and as usual, I'm right in between a 2X and 3X in the chest, belly and hips. If I go 3X, their assumption is that I must be 7' tall so the inseam will be too long. If I go 2X the inseam will be OK but everything else might be tight. Any experience with these suits? Do they run small, large or true to size? There is a stocking distributor 2.5 hours away. Thinking about a road trip.

Thanks

 

[Zef]

Try a suit from Aqualung with a different cut or go with a brand that fits you better.

It would seem that you have been scoping out internet/mail order purchases for gear....that is great if you specifically know the gear will fit....but you don't.

Your profile states you are from Delaware. Go visit a shop somewhere in your general region and get properly fitted for a suit....it will pay dividends in the long run with you being comfortable and happy with your purchase.

-Z

 

[Ross19966]

That's the problem. There are no real local options. Shops don't want to order 3 or 4 suits so I can try them and buy one and they don't want to keep a lot of inventory on hand. From the size charts, Aqualung seems to be the closest, but that depends how the sizing runs. There is a shop 2.5 hours away that has some inventory, so I may take a road trip next week. Diving around here is strictly drysuit. The 3mm I'm hunting right now is for a trip to the Keys next month.

I thought about going the custom route, but $600+ for a suit that I'll only use a couple times a year on vacation doesn't make sense.

The Henderson HQ and warehouse/factory is not far away. I called to see if I could just come over and try some suits in different sizes, then order from a distributor. They were having none of that. The closest dealer that they said stocked any amount of inventory was Scuba.com in NYC.

 

[Pressurehead]

Aqualung seems to be the closest, but that depends how the sizing runs

They are a good suit, I have one, but, and it's a big but [not as in arse] , just knew it would not fit 'off the rack', the arms and chest sizes are made for pencil neck, skinny arm folk [insert people type here] , once I had it made to fit by a local wetsuit guy [extra $$, which I allowed for], arms and chest bigger with a few inserts, it is now a great wetsuit for warm water.
My 2 bubbles.

 

[Ross19966]

The fit on most 3X suits is not perfect but acceptable (for the limited use it would get), other than the inseam. I suppose cutting a few inches off the legs and sealing the seam with aquaseal wouldn't be a big deal. My thought with the Aqualung was that the ultra stretch material would make up for any areas that are a little tight. Pretty clear that I'm going to have to make a road trip and try a few on.

 

[NorCalDM]

Aqualung suits never fit me as the forearms and wrists are always too tight. I find Xcel's online sizing chart is pretty accurate and their suits are really nice. I've been diving them for about 15 years.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I think Henderson and bare suits are better than other brands at stretching and conforming to bigger guys and gals who aren’t tri-athletes or shaped like stick people.

 

[JMJ Wetsuits]

Hi @Ross19966,

When looking at the manufacturer's size chart for any stock-sized wetsuit you'll want to be within around 1" of all the measurements on the chart.

Hope that helps and kind regards,
Derek

 

[Salamandra]

It's great to support your local diveshop, but Scuba.com is great for trying on stuff and free returns. And it is also a local diveshop for a bunch of people if that makes you feel better.

That said, a road trip for wetsuit shopping sounds pretty fun, and you should probably do it.

 

[Ross19966]

Scuba.com has been a nightmare on returns/exchanges. They took 3 weeks to exchange a hood. The exchanged one didn't fit either but its easier to cut and modify it than continue trying new hoods. I'm still waiting on a refund for wetsuit returned a month ago. Never again will I order anything wearable for them. For everything else, they are great.

Blew out my back again anyway, so might be out of action for a little while with another surgery. I will have to dive vicariously through you guys.