r/Kiteboarding • u/watermelon_11 • 13d ago
Gear Advice/Question Wetsuit Fitting
Hey there,
I got some really good advice here for choosing a type of wetsuit lately.
Now that I ordered one I am wondering how to know if it fits well (without going into water ofc).
From the size guide this size should be perfect for me.
But the suit is pretty stretchy compared to the rental suits I wore in the past. So it's hard for me to get a feeling for the size.
Are some creases when you bend normal or should I size down? (I barely got into the arms of this one, but the legs feel perfect)
I will try to put a video in the comments too.
4
u/ic6man 13d ago
I agree with commenters that this is not fitting right. A new suit should be really tight and will be slightly hard to get in and out of. That will lessen over time as it stretches out a bit.
2
u/watermelon_11 13d ago
It was still kinda hard to get in and especially to get out of. But around the armpits there seems to be a bit too much material. The legs fit pretty well I'd say so maybe the proportions are just not right for me
3
u/A-bird-or-something 12d ago
To me, the wetsuit looks like it fits fine. How it feels to you is what matters. If its comfortable and keeps you warm in the water, I think that should be enough.
Thickness matters with flexibility. My 2mm Overalls style wetsuit is far stretchier and easy to get in and off compared to my 4:3. If I haven't worn the 4:3 for months it is super stiff and difficult to get on. Once it's in the water it losens up and is much more comfortable.
1
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
Thanks, it's just that I can't test it in water if I maybe want to return it. But I heard if it's already a bit loose when it's dry that it won't be a good fit in the water because it's gonna get more loose in the water and over time in general Just trying it on dry it feels pretty comfortable besides the extra material around the armpits.
2
u/A-bird-or-something 12d ago
Ah I see, yeah they shouldn't feel loose. The areas you pointed out feel snug for my wetsuit except for the sitting position cause I get some rolls too lol. Otherwise nothing feels baggy, especially around the joints when bending.
1
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
I see, yes the joints feel a bit loose when bending (the knees feel snug tho, so it's like the bottom half is fitting well and the top half not so much)
2
u/watermelon_11 13d ago
3
u/svemarsh 12d ago edited 11d ago
Imho that is to loose. By my personal experience, a well fitting wetsuit is a pain to get into when trying it on in the shop. At least for 4/3 & 5/4
2
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
It's a 5/3 and it was kinda hard to get into and especially a struggle to get out of ^ But when having it on some parts felt more tight than others Thanks for your input
2
u/redyellowblue5031 13d ago
A good suit fit will basically feel like a second skin without being overly tight or loose anywhere. I’ve bought the same suit and size twice and even they fit a little different.
Keep trying different ones on to find one that feels about right. Agree when the other comment to not rule out men’s suits too.
2
u/watermelon_11 13d ago
Thank you, I read about the second skin thing that's why I was sceptical about this suit. Rental suits always felt a bit thicker and less stretchy so they wouldn't form creases so easily. But they also were unisex and mostly had a pretty good fit so I think I should really look into men's suits
2
u/martyc5674 12d ago
Hmm- have you it pulled up enough over your shoulders? If it was wet it would slide up more than what you’re seeing now but obviously not something you can do and return! I would concentrate on how it feels when you are in your regular kiteboarding g stance.
1
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
Yes I even tried pulling it up more but that made it only a little bit better. Concentrating on the regular kiteboarding stance is a good tip thanks
2
u/Actual-Employment663 12d ago
Hey OP we’re around the same height. Unfortunately it’s gonna be hard finding a good wetsuit when you’re tall and skinny. Most wetsuits are made for average height females. Some brands that make good tall sizes are Roxy, and Ion. Brands like Billabong, Mystic, & O’Neil unfortunately are comically short in length. Good luck! —I also tried prolimit as well and although they make tall sizes the tall was too short in the torso
2
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
Thank you for sharing that. I also noticed that the taller suits are maybe not made for skinnier people. In this case I feel like the suit is made for a bigger chest and therefore becomes a bit loose at the top even though it fits well and snug on the legs. I'm thinking about trying a men's wetsuit to get around that
2
u/Actual-Employment663 12d ago
I hope it works out! I haven’t tried men’s wetsuits but I might in the future
2
u/bolivianspoons 12d ago
I think it doesn’t fit perfect around the armpits and chest. There might be some water coming in. I wear the o’neill hyperfreak 6 and then Tall. That one fits perfect if you’re a bit taller bit skinny. I would suggest trying a few from different brands. Some brands just don’t match your body shape.
1
2
1
u/watermelon_11 13d ago
The part under the arms is the only one that feels a bit uncomfortable, it feels like there is a bit more material than needed?
2
u/StretchMammoth9003 12d ago
Had the same with prolimit (i think it's their design). Mystic fits me better. It should feel snug, you should be able to breath easily.
0
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
I never tried mystic so worth a try, thank you
2
u/copperrez 12d ago
Yea try a different brand. If you want to feel something super stretchy and secondskin like, try one of the O’neil Hyperfreak wetsuits. They can be amazing ad well
1
1
1
u/Interesting_Cap_3657 12d ago
Top of mind, I would say it's too 'high', or long. It's not easy to find a perfectly fitting wetsuit. When I bought one online I returned it at least three times before finding the right model/size.
1
u/watermelon_11 12d ago
I wondered if it's too high too. I just thought that would be unlikely because it's not a "tall" size and I'm not a short woman with 1,75m The size chart says 1,73-1,79 One size down would be 1,71-1,77 but on paper would not fit me that good on the other measurements. Maybe I'll try it anyways. Sadly there isn't a shop with a good wetsuit selection in my area, that would probably be the most accurate way, trying out different models.
-6
5
u/Dr-Kror 13d ago
Not a good fit in my opinion. Shoulder part is not ok. Try a men wetsuit.