Wetsuit too small?
2398
Member
1276 days
Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
Pete L.;51092 wrote:
Do I have a bad fit? Did I not put it on right (zipper in front, right???)
ehhhh... http://www.blueseventy.com/products/reaction.html#.. most suits have the zipper in the rear.... I havent worn a zip in front suit in about 5 years and it was the top piece of a two piece dive suit...
Your first time in a full wetsuit is going to be odd, and it will affect your stroke. Thats why they recommend you get some practice swims in. Having on right would help some, I would imagine, but that pulling on rubber bands feeling will still be there to a point.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
157
Member
776 days
Pete L. posted 2 years ago.
I knew I was going to pay for that comment. The zipper goes in the rear, I know. I was making an internet joke, but without the wink emoticon. ;)
978
Member
1148 days
PJT posted 2 years ago.
Check out the size chart on trisports.com. You're 1# over their recommended weight for that size. New wetsuits tend to fit best at the middle of the weight range, not above the top weight. If you look at size M, you would be right in the middle of the weight range, and could even get back to 160# and still have it fit. I would think about taking it back.
That said, there is a break in period for many wetsuits, and Triguy is right about the stroke alterations. It generally takes a few swims for the suit and your body to get comfortable working together. So this one might end up working for you (especially if you lose weight), as you break it in. But the next larger size, I think, might work better right now.
157
Member
776 days
Pete L. posted 2 years ago.
I've already done an open water swim with it, I'll call the guy and see if he'll take it back though. Sometimes in retail you're anxious to get rid of stuff, and think stuff will fit people better than it does.
It really did feel tight, though. not short, or especially narrow. I just felt like I couldn't stroke very easily. I felt fatigued within the first 300m.
18
Member
804 days
guncollector posted 2 years ago.
FWIW, form this newbie's perspective, your wetsuit is not fitting correctly.
I purchased a new Quintana Roo Hydrofull, and while it fits snugly, it does not seem to affect my stroke mechanics at all (i.e. no "fighting" the neoprene with my arms).
So, judging from your description of the arm issues, I'd definitely say its fit-related.
HTH!
157
Member
776 days
Pete L. posted 1 year ago.
Follow up:
I spent more time with my wetsuit, and made sure to pull it up a lot better in the shoulder, and it seemed fine after that. I could probably stand to get a better fit next time, but with the extra effort, I felt I could swim comfortably. Which was a relief.
I just bought a Blue Seventy wetsuit (entry level -- Reaction). The kid at the shop sold me an SMT, which looks right, as I'm 5' 9" and 173 (on my way down to 160, I hope).
The wetsuit didn't feel too small around the chest, and when I tried it on, it felt fine in the shoulders, but dang if it didn't feel like I was fighting rubber bands through the entire swim.
I've only swam with sleeveless suits in past races, so this is my first time with full arms. I was also rushed to get it on, and didn't really get much of a warm up, but my traps are still sore today (race was 2 days ago).
Do I have a bad fit? Did I not put it on right (zipper in front, right???) Am I just not used to the strain of a full armed wetsuit?
On top of that, the timing company seems to have messed up on the times for the swim portion, adding to my frustration of not even knowing if my swim was slow, or if it just felt hard. I have a feeling it was slow.
Thanks for any advice.