Newbie Question: Wetsuit tips
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TryScott posted 1 year ago.
I know they say it's better to have it be a little tight than a little loose, but it sounds like it's too tight if your feet don't fit through the holes. I know that's not what you wanted to hear.
1. No, you don't need to be wet. Sure would be an interesting fitting room at the store if you did.
2. I never used lubes for a wetsuit.
3. I'm not a gorilla, but I don't completely shave anywhere but my face, and my wetsuit never hurts when I put it on or take it off. Putting it on is a lot harder than taking it off.
4. No experience with the body lubes.
5. Don't use fingernails when putting it on, and turn it inside-out as you are taking it off.
Good luck.
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hollywood1 posted 1 year ago.
1. no not wet. try putting some plastic shopping bags over your hands and feet.
2. dont use lubes. if you do pick a lube that is non-petrolium bassed, so stuff like vasoline are big no no's.
3.no it wont pull your hair. you will be wet so you will slide right out of it
4. use what works, some baby oil or body glide on the hands and feet can help speed up T1.
5. putting on the suit:
sit down on a chair and with the plastic bags on your feet pull your legs through the holes then pull the suit up evenly. NOT one leg at a time. then just pull the suit all the way up your torso and put your arms through. get you mum/gf/wife to zip you up.
dont get bitter, get better
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Leroy Bonkers posted 1 year ago.
The is a product called "Suit Juice" that may help slide that puppy on. I have used it a few times and get adequete results, but it's no miracle.
The best tool to get a wetsuit on is patience!
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RV posted 1 year ago.
Dry when putting it on - it is harder to put on when wet.
I will use a little Body Glide on the lower legs and arms. It helps with both the on and off.
Basically just need to put it on slowly - just work it up side by side - no fingernails!
It needs to be snug when on dry - it loosens up in the water.
RV
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PJT posted 1 year ago.
Good tips so far. I'd add that you should really hike the suit up snug in the crotch--no gapping. This will allow maximum flexibility in the shoulders.
I use bodyglide liberally on my ankles, backs of the knees, wrists, elbows and the neck (bodyglide on the neck prevents the wetsuit hickey you can get sometimes-- those are tough to explain at work.)
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tri-ac posted 1 year ago.
definitely make sure you pull the legs up high into your crotch to start and then try to get the arms and body in...once you're in, you can stretch and readjust by just raising your arms and marching in place to settle out all the various areas
getting in being wet is worse than dry...it sticks to you. but being wet definitely helps to get out...i open up the neck to put more water in the suit before standing up to exit the water and the suit pretty much rolls off easily (i do need to stand on it to pull my ankles out, tho)
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
One of the best tips I ever got was setting up the suit itself a bit before putting it on: You reach inside, grab the backs of the knees of the suit and the edge of where the legs meet the torso, and pull the lower leg so that it is inside the upper leg. It makes a full suit look like a spring/short suit, and it looks a bit odd, and is very thick. But then you just have to slide your legs through a shorter stretch, and so you are fighting less resistance. It makes it a lot easier for me.
I've also heard putting nylons over your feet to make them slide better, and people both for and against using PAM (easier to get the suit on, but bad for the suit).
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kkocan posted 1 year ago.
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/Wetsuit_Demo.shtml
Go to that site, all you need to know.
As for lubes, I use body glide (liberally) around my neck to prevent chafing. I use a little around the forearms to help the arms come off and a good deal from the top of my ankles up about 5-6" again to help remove it quickly.
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Amka posted 1 year ago.
Okay, so here is a question.
Is this all rubber latex? And what if you are allergic to latex?
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
Wetsuits are made of neoprene, not latex. Although I'm not sure if they are completely latex free.
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stewarba posted 1 year ago.
kkocan;81093 wrote:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/Wetsuit_Demo.shtmlGo to that site, all you need to know.
Not only is it all you need to know, but its the same wetsuit I bought :D
Thanks guys, I got it on and seems to fit me right. Its snug but not tight. I followed the instructions and everything seems to be as descibed.
Brad
Pain is the sensation of weakness leaving the body!
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azstinger11 posted 1 year ago.
Having tried both using socks and plastic shopping bags oddly enough shopping bags seem to help get your feet through easier, odd I know.
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Kiwi posted 1 year ago.
I use the shopping bag trick as well. Makes it much easier to get on.
Use lube as well, but more to prevent chaffing and to help getting it off.
OK, my new wetsuit showed up in the mail today and in my excitement I tried to put it on in my bedroom where I quickly realized that I may need some pointers on getting the suit on properly. I was dry and couldn't get my feet in through the holes. Instead of forcing it on, I thought I would ask some basic questions.
1. Do you need to be wet before you put it on or do you just use some body glide or baby oil around places like the feet?
2. Where do you tend to put on lubricants prior to putting on your wetsuit?
3. Is the neoprene going to pull my hair when I take it off? Does anyone recommend shaving certain areas if this is a problem.
4. How highly do you guys reccomend body glide over other products like vegatable oil or baby oil?
5. Any other tips on getting it on or off??
Thanks,
Brad
Pain is the sensation of weakness leaving the body!