Drysuit Measurement Problem

[scubadoo]

I am in the process of buying my first drysuit. My club buys thems through a distributor for all members at a discount price for group orders, off the peg only.

I want to buy the Membrane version. From the the size chart, I measured up around Medium Large Short (M/L/Sht) & Medium Large (M/L).

I am 5'7¾" in height and 12st,4lb weight. With the M/L/Sht size, the height range ends at 5'7" and with the M/L size, it starts at 5'8".

I tried on both drysuits that belong to my friends with a 200 gram undersuit and they were both fine except the only difference was 2" more in legs and 1" in Arms with the Med/Large. I did all the exercises to test them out for any restrictions without any problem. It's just that the M/L is a bit loose in leg and slight in arms. Both suits are the same in body loop, chest, waist, etc.

I talked with Distributor about this and they recommended the M/L. I dunno, maybe they are thinking that I am going to grow or put on more weight.

Some of the guys who bought the M/L and are 5'10" in height say that it's baggy in legs for them.

Am I right in say that the drysuit should be as streamlined as possible!

Does anybody have any good advice to what suit I should choose! I would appreciate any help.

Thanks Ro.

[Gareth]

I reasonable amount of room in a suit has the advantage that you can add thicker undersuits & or additional layers for the cold (note - some undersuits are less effective if a layer is placed between the suit & the skin).

Too much space in a suit can cause problems with air migration - or if over inflated your feet ending up out of the boot in the lower leg - amusing for spectators but no so for you.

My suit appears to have shrunk over the last few years - it is rather a snug fit now - this appears to be a noticable problem with drysuits.

On an observational basis (not scientific research) I have noticed that over time divers in Neoprene, Crushed Neoprene, & Membrane Drysuits suffer from suit shrinkage - this must be related to continuous cycling of the material in water!:D
It is therefore advisable to allow a little room for this phenomenom - especially if you intend to keep the suit for a number of years.

Gareth

[Andy Wade]

I reasonable amount of room in a suit has the advantage that you can add thicker undersuits & or additional layers for the cold (note - some undersuits are less effective if a layer is placed between the suit & the skin).

Too much space in a suit can cause problems with air migration - or if over inflated your feet ending up out of the boot in the lower leg - amusing for spectators but no so for you.

My suit appears to have shrunk over the last few years - it is rather a snug fit now - this appears to be a noticable problem with drysuits.

On an observational basis (not scientific research) I have noticed that over time divers in Neoprene, Crushed Neoprene, & Membrane Drysuits suffer from suit shrinkage - this must be related to continuous cycling of the material in water!:D
It is therefore advisable to allow a little room for this phenomenom - especially if you intend to keep the suit for a number of years.

Gareth

It's a not very well known fact that diving increases body mass.
Despite never ever drinking beer :eek: or overeating :eek: , I've found that exposure to depth has increased both my muscle and body fat. :D

Hello everyone, my name is Andy Wade and I'm a pathological fibber... :cool: