Wetsuit question

Hey man I have similar issues when it comes to sizing up my suits. While I could stand to shed a few pounds, I'm built similarly to you...I'm a shorter, stocky dude who even w/ minimal bodyfat % wouldn't be less than 200lbs. I find O'neills to be a good fit for me, as well as a buddy of mine who's a bigger framed dude.

 

i'm pretty similarly sized & find that o'neill & rip curl fit me best.

i've heard others complain about the cut of patagonia suits for the same reason. i'd love to try one, but i think i'd have the same issue you did. i tried a matuse on & thought i was going to die in it as i was pretty convinced there was no way to get it off.

 

I have a similar build and have tried on Matuse and Patagoina, I think they base their sizes on little Indonesian people. I have been using Excel CZ suits for the past few years with no issue and before that I was using Quiksilver. The Excel is a better suit in my opinion

 

Oneil brah oneil....

 

Dude, and this goes for all of y'all.....

Buy your suits at your local surf shop. TRY ON THE SUIT...........

Also remember that neoprene losens-up a bit when wet.......

 

I agree on Oneill. I recently bought the mutant 4/3 large, I'm 5'11" 185lbs average build and its loose in the shoulders/upperback. Another 10 lbs or so and I'd probably fit into it real nicely.

 

Don't buy sh!t on the internet......

F AMAZON and all of that stuff.

Support your local surf shop.

Oh and kiddies, remember if you're still a growing boy that a little room isn't bad. You don't want to be buying new suits every time you have a little growth spurt......

Why Johnny, I remember you when you were this tall...............

South Jersey dudes, go to Heritage Surf in Ocean City and get the the dude who's aboot 5'9'' with dark brown(black) hair, slender build, who sports a little beard. He's the best. He's so nice and helpful.....Throw him some commission.

Help your communities buy supporting local surf shops. Heck, go buy something at them all this Christmas. Keep it in the family.

Oh, you guys sound ultra sexy, brahs.

 

I'm 5' 11" and 195 lbs. But flat as a pancake, not super built but really really wide. Dimensions on sizing charts don't work for me. RipCurl XL fits me best. I find Oneill are too big in the shoulder/lat area, but they might work for you.

 

Agree with PJB, buy local and try it on. Don't use a surf shp to try on and then buy off the net like some suggest. That forces shops to pay overhead thatonline guys take advantage of. If local shops close we'll all regret it. Go buy a stocking stuffer.

 

+1 on the rip curl (i own dawn patrol) there sizing is a little different, I think, than other brands. i love my suit, it's 5/3 still in it in maine and i'm plenty toasty

 

I just picked up my first Patagonia wetsuit earlier this season. Went by their sizing chart and ordered accordingly. Very impressed with the quality, but the seams formed "waves" and the neck area was too loose. I called up FCD Designs out in California and spoke with a customer service representative named Damon. He said that Patagonia recently tweaked a few of their materials, which has had a direct effect on their sizing chart; which has NOT been updated. He advised me to order a smaller size, which I did and it fits like a glove! The exchange was super easy since I did not wear it out yet. Even if I did, Damon said that he would be able to work something out to get me in the right suit. Surprising, since I did not order my suit from FCD! I was very impressed with their customer service and I'm super stoked to have a great company to fall back on if I have any further issues.

My advice would be to call up FCD and talk to Damon. He's super knowledgeable on their line and he'll make sure that you are completely satisfied with your Patagonia wetsuit. You picked a great suit and you'll love it once you get your size dialed in. Best of luck!

-DL

 

Elliot,

I had a similar issue with the Patagonia R3. I am 6'0, 195 lbs, handsome, and athletically built. Broad shoulders with a chiseled chin like granite......wait, I am digressing. I bought a large when I was really on the cusp of an XL.

It took me about a dozen times until the suit stretched out. If I had to guess, I would say it has something to do with the stitching (which I find better than past suits I've owned) and the merino wool liner. I would work through it....I bought a rear zip but still had some "choking" issues. That decreased in time as well.

If not, I will buy it off you for $50 cash.

 

Merino wool liner????? Holy sh!t.

 

The wool acts as an insulate but is lighter than neoprene...and it dries quicker. So the R3 is actually a 3/2 suit but the warmth is that of a 4/3......so you have a warmer, lighter suit.

It is a great Mid Atlantic/Northeast suit since the temp keeps dropping in the water.

 

I have an O'Neill 4/3, a Quicksilver 3/2 and a RipCurl 5.5/4.5. All of them crush the balls. What do I do? Has Patagonia figured this out and created a non-ball crushing suit?

 

Hell yeah man...wool's great, I use wool socks under my booties at times. I guess I wasn't aware of such quality materials being used.