I know the fit of a wetsuit is pretty important....any tips on how to best interpret fit charts to successfully order one online? I realize the best way is to find a store and try them on but living in NM makes it a bit difficult to find stores that carry tri wetsuits.

Another quick question - what's the difference between mens and womens wetsuits???

wow, the only way I could get a good fit was to try one on. I know that's not what you want to hear, but I tried on 4 different suits of varying sizes, and finally found one that didn't cut off blood circulation to my head.

My last triathlon I did I nearly had to drop out during the swim because my previous wetsuit had either shrunk around the neck, or I had grown a couple sizes larger. Anyway, having a close call like that ( and I seriously thought I would need a lifeguard to get me out ) prompted me to find a size that was right for me.

I went with the Orca, but based on their sizing charts, I would have been a 6.5. The store I went to had the speedsuit, predator 2 and the new oxygenated one -- all in the 6.5 but it was seriously too tight all-around. The size 7 fit great everywhere BUT the neck. Jugulars were popping out, and I was getting light-headed. So. I tried on the eight. To me it fit the same, except that now the neck was just tight, not constricting. AND when I continue to train, I'm expecting that I will beef up a little more, and there should be enough room to grow into it slightly.

Not an expert on the wetsuit, but this is just personal preference and experience at a wetsuit shop.


Hope that helps.

I need to get a wetsuit also. This is a silly question, but when you try it on at the store, what do you wear under it? Like are you supposed to bring a swimsuit?

:D

yeah, I brought a pair of shorts to change into. same kind i would feel comfortable wearing racing or training in.

I have no affiliation with this company but referenced them in my last post. If your looking at purchasing a wetsuit online I would highly reccomend contacting Trisports.com. I know from experience and word of mouth that they will not have any problems answering your questions and will make sure you get the suit that fits you the best. Seton, the owner, should give lessons to other businesses on customer satisfaction.

Trisports.com (http://www.trisports.com/wetsuits.html)

You can check out Sportz Outdoor in Albuquerque for a fit on a wetsuit. They sell a couple of different brands.

I bought a DeSoto Tres just recently. I initially placed my order via the net but then DeSoto contacted me and we went over my measurements and compared them to their entire database of purchasers in order to figure out just what sizes for the top and bottom I should be buying.

When the suit arrived, the two pieces fit perfectly.

Regardless of where or who you buy from, make sure that they offer an unconditional, full refund return if you aren't happy with the suit. If they aren't willing to do that, then the suit isn't worth buying from them.

DeSoto, for example, offers 14 days from the time you receive the suit to decide that, for whatever reason, the suit isn't right for you and return it for a full refund.

John