Winter Wetsuit for fat guys.

Rez,

I'm not sure what the best size is for you, but almost any shop will do a custom order to get the size you need. The shop will just call in to the wet suit company to get the suit you want. But, I"m sure some other big guys out there will have some advice on a good sized suit.

 

I've tried alot of suits (I am big guy too) and my recommendation is too make sure you buy pretty much top of line in any of the major brands. I have oneill 5/4 (forgot model but it was the top suit in their line when purchased) and rip curls e-bombs 3/2 and f-bomb 4/3. For us big guys it is important to buy the most flexible available suit as they tend to compensate for the wider body thus are more comfortable and warmer. There are alot of nice suits out there but I recommend you go with pretty much the most flexible suit you can afford (paying extra is well worth it - for me anyway). good luck

 

Hyperflex is great if you want to get a new suit every year. Most people dont want to do that therefore hyperlex is a terrible option. Xcel falls apart as well, so stay away from them. Bodyglove wetsuits are probably the best wetsuits made. I have a 5 year old vpor 4/3 that still keeps me warm in february. They are pricy but worth the money. Same thing goes for rip curl. They have a lifetime warranty on all of the seams on their suits.

 

Heyy Rez,
I am 5'8" not quite as heavy as you but pretty thick (45-46 chest, 17 neck) I usually wear XLS in xcel, quik, oneills for 3/2's 4/3's. I found for a real cold water suit hooded, 5/3 andup it works better for me to size up to a 2xls. I actually found this out when I found a 2xls hooded 5/4/3 Xcel on sale for a ridiculously low price
I have had good luck with Xcels, Oneills for fit and durability, RipCurls never seem to fit me right
I surf OBX so water temps go from about 40 to 78 through out the year.

Take your body dimensions and go to some wetsuit manufacturers sites for sizing. I have a good buddy who is big 6'4" 230-240 who gets good fits with hyperflex suit and swears by them
Good luck
Jim

 

Best Advice I can give you is try a bunch of suits on see what fits best . Every company's sizing is differnent. As far as Hyperflex only lasting one year I beg to differ. All I use is Hyperflex and I got suits rangin in age from 7 - 3 months old . Never had a issue with seams leaking for any other stuff that you get with other wetsuit brands.

Plus there local based outa Millville , NJ so "if" you ever have a warranty issue you can drive there or mail it and not have to wait for a quick turn around time

I know they do Custome suits but it may be a bit more pricey deffinaly wont be more than a xcel or Rip Curl suit

Just take care of it wash it out after every session and use wetsuit soap and it will last a long time .

Hope u find what u need

 

I'm 5'11" & 215 lbs. I found the Oneill Psycho Freak a very good fit. Alot of it has to do with it's super flexy characteristics. I tried on Rip Curls, Patagonias and Hyperflex. None of them stretched as much as the Psycho Freak. Just my 2 cents.

 

O'Neil Mutant

I'm 5 10 and 220.(Depending on whose scale I'm using) I have an Oneil mutant XL. It's very stretchy! Surfed all winter(toasty). Removing the hood is a nice option.
I think now is the time to shop for a /54/3 suit. I'm sure most are on sale.

While your shopping, make sure you get the warmest gloves (5mm mitts) and Ripcurls 7mm boots(no splittoes) I found these were a necessity this winter.
ps What do you ride? I'm always curious what guys can float.

 

warmest gloves are xcel 7mil mitts. $50 and the boots are $50. you should be able to find a good 5/4/3 or 6/5/4 right now for around or below 250

 

Man that's the truth. It's like they are magic they're so damn warm. Plus they are the first pair of gloves that didn't fall apart after a season. I tried lots of different brands/styles prior to this, and 1 season was the best I ever got, but these are 2 seasons in and like new.

I'm 5'10" 215-220. I have a Hyperflex 6/5/4 which is two seasons old with no problems. Fits good and is toasty. It's not the stretchiest suit I've ever had, but it's good enough.

Previously I had good luck with Rip Curls top of the line suits, but they just got too expensive to justify in my opinion.

I've had bad luck with Oneill winter suits (quality issues and bad warranty service), but many others swear by them so perhaps it was simply bad luck.

 

I am 73 years old, 5 ft 11 in, 175 lbs, 40 inch waist, in Northern California. I want to lap tethered swim in my above ground pool. The water is around 60 to 65 F. I been shopping for a wetsuit. Worry Extra Large size one piece may be too long but tummy tight for me. Do you think 2 piece extra large 3mm may be better for me? Thank you for your help. Thank you.

 

Hey JGY, welcome to the forume.

I think a surfing wetsuit, which are typically 1 piece, would work for swimming in your pool. Are you anywhere near the coast? The reason I ask is because your local surf shop probably has what you're looking for in stock. It's almost impossible to know how a wetsuit will fit until you try it on. All surfshops have fitting rooms.

I recommend going to check some suits out in person, trying on a suit or two, and supporting a local business with your wetsuit purchase. If you have any base-layer or spandex type clothes it will make trying on the suit a lot easier.

Cheers!

 

Headhigh, thank you for respone. No, we in Milpitas, CA., are not near the coast nor any surf shop; around couple hours drive away in Santa Cruz. Sounds like I need to find sporting goods wetsuit store to try on in-person? What is typical wetsuit try on policy?

BTW, how to shop for wetsuit base-layer or spandex for warmth, say pool water at around 60 degree.

 

Baselayer/spandex is to help you get the wetsuit on. It does not provide warmth. Putting on a dry wetsuit in a fitting room is going to be difficult, especially if you have not put on a wetsuit before. The spandex will help it slide on/off.

I highly recommend trying on wetsuits in person unless you already know what size you are. Try-on policy is the same as swimsuits, wear underwear.

 

assuming we're not all being trolled here, consider a 2 mm from somewhere like this: www.swimoutlet.com/

 

At 5' 11" and 175, I would think that fitting your gut would be the last thing in the world to worry about, unless you are shaped like a gourd with legs. That's really lean for that height. Some wetsuit size charts put you at a medium, except for that 40" waist. Something going on there for sure...

 

I assumed it was a typo LOL

 

Not typo. For tight jeans, I can do Levi waist 38 length 32 for a 73 years old?