Purchasing a wetsuit is not easy. There are so many to choose from with a size range confusing enough to make you wonder which suit will actually fit. You have Youth Large, Large Tall, Extra Large Short, itʻs easy to see why it can be so confusing.
When you do try a wetsuit on, how do you know when the snug fit is too snug? A wetsuit is meant to be tight, but there is such a thing as too tight.
To check if your wetsuit is too tight, ensure the sleeves go down to the wrists and the legs below the ankles, without too much extra material on the shoulder or behind the knees. Check to see if you can slip two fingers between the wetsuit and your neck and the torso should allow for easy breathing.
A wetsuit that is too tight will be hard to comfortably breathe in and have a full range of motion. A wetsuit that is too loose will have the extra neoprene get in the way and water will constantly be pouring in.
How To Check The Size Before Buying?
Nowadays, you have multiple methods to buy your wetsuit, from online to traditional brick and mortar stores. If this is your first time buying a wetsuit, you have to go and try one on for yourself, and the only way to do that is at your local surf shop.
What Size Do Wetsuits Come In?
Wetsuits are sized a little bit differently from your average t-shirt or pair of pants. The size you are used to wearing with other items may not be the same when it comes to wetsuits. Knowing the size ranges wetsuits come in will help you figure out the size that is right for you. And if youʻre curious as to why most wetsuits are black, check out this post.
Typical Menʻs Wetsuit Sizes
| SIZE | HEIGHT (m-ft) | WEIGHT (kg-lbs) | CHEST (cm) | WAIST (cm) |
| XS | 1.68-1.75 / 5’6″-5’8″ | 57-64kg / 125-140lbs | 86.4-91.4 | 68.6-73.7 |
| S | 1.72-1.77 / 5’7″-5’9″ | 61-70kg / 135-155lbs | 91.4-96.5 | 73.7-78.7 |
| MS | 1.72-1.77 / 5’7″-5’9″ | 64-73kg / 140-160lbs | 96.5-101.6 | 78.7-83.8 |
| M | 1.75-1.80 / 5’7″-5’9″ | 68-77kg / 150-170lbs | 96.5-101.6 | 78.7-83.8 |
| MT | 1.80-1.85 / 5’11”-6’1 | 70-79kg / 155-175lbs | 96.5-101.6 | 78.7-83.8 |
| LS | 1.75-1.80 / 5’9″-5’11 | 75-84kg / 165-185lbs | 101.6-106.7 | 83.8-88.9 |
| L | 1.80-1.85 / 5’11”-6’1 | 77-86kg / 170-190lbs | 101.6-106.7 | 83.8-88.9 |
| LT | 1.83-1.88 / 6’0″-6’2″ | 82-91kg / 180-200lbs | 101.6-106.7 | 83.8-88.9 |
| XL | 1.83-1.88 / 6’0″-6’2″ | 86-95kg / 190-210lbs | 106.7-111.8 | 88.9-94 |
| XXL | 1.83-1.88 / 6’0″-6’2″ | 95-104kg / 210-230lbs | 111.8-118.1 | 94-99.1 |
Typical Womenʻs Wetsuit Sizes
| SIZE | HEIGHT (m) | WEIGHT (lbs) | CHEST (cm) | WAIST (cm) |
| 2 | 1,6 – 1,65 | 50 – 54,5lbs | 77,5 – 82,6 | 58,4 – 63,5 |
| 4 | 1,63 – 1,68 | 47,5 – 56,5lbs | 80,0 – 85,1 | 61 – 66 |
| 6 | 1,65 – 1,70 | 50 – 59lbs | 63,5 – 68,6 | 63,5 – 68,6 |
| 8 | 1,68 – 1,73 | 54,5 – 63,5lbs | 86,4 – 91,4 | 67,3 – 72,4 |
| 10 | 1,70 – 1,75 | 59 – 68lbs | 90,2 – 95,3 | 71,1 – 76,2 |
| 12 | 1,73 – 1,79 | 63,5 – 72,5lbs | 93,9 – 99,0 | 74,9 – 80 |
| 14 | 1,73 – 1,79 | 75 – 80lbs | 97,7 – 102,8 | 78,7 – 83,8 |
| 16 | 1,75 – 1,80 | 77 – 87lbs | 101,6 – 106,6 | 81,3 – 86,4 |
Try It on Before Purchasing
I remember my first wetsuit, I went into my local shop and mustʻve tried on at least a dozen before I found the one that was the right fit. It wasnʻt a Large, or an XL, but a Large Tall that fit me perfectly. If I hadnʻt gone into the shop, I would probably have gotten the XL without knowing any better.
Once you know what size is right for you by trying a few on, you can then begin to purchase your suit online if thatʻs what youʻd rather do. My favorite wetsuit brand has always been Oʻneill. Theyʻre the original surf wetsuit manufacturer, creating a quality product with each suit that they produce.
Check The Arms and Legs
The wetsuit should go down to the wrist without any extra material in the arm. If the wetsuit pulls away from the wrist by more than 1”, it is too short.
Same for the legs, the wetsuit should go down below the ankles without any extra material bundling up behind the knees. If the wetsuit is above the ankles, then it is too short.
Ensure that the suit is not too tight by mimicking paddling motions or doing a popup or two. A wetsuit is going to feel more constricting than if you were just paddling out in trunks, but it shouldnʻt feel like a struggle when popping up to your feet.
Check The Neck
Put the wetsuit on and zip it up. Are you choking or is there a hug gap between the wetsuit and your neck? You donʻt want it to be like either of those things.
A wetsuit that fits properly will have the suitʻs neckline fitting snugly around the neck, but loose enough to easily slip 2 fingers between the suit and your neck.
If the gap is bigger you can expect a cold flush of water running down your back everytime you duck dive. Iʻll tell you from experience, it is no fun.
Howʻs The Torso
If the arms, legs and neck fit properly, then most likely the fit of your suit around your torso should be fitting properly as well. But itʻs still a good idea to check.
With the wetsuit on and fully zipped up, make sure itʻs still comfortable enough to breathe in. Take a couple of deep breaths. How does it feel? Is it hard to breathe or is it easy? Your breathing should be normal when your wetsuit is on, if it feels constricted in anyway, it is too tight.
What Happens if a Wetsuit Is Too Tight?
Personally, the first wetsuit that I got was too tight for me. I was expecting it to loosen up over time, but I was wrong.
If a wetsuit is too tight, it will be difficult to breathe, you will have trouble paddling, and your pop up will suffer because you will not have a full range of motion available to you to get from prone position to standing.
A tight wetsuit will inhibit the progress of your surfing and you donʻt want that. Itʻs already hard enough to surf, you donʻt need a tight wetsuit making it even harder.
Will a Wetsuit Stretch Over Time?
There is no evidence that proves that a wetsuit will loosen over time. In fact, Iʻve found the opposite to be true, but maybe thatʻs because of my increasing waistline.
But with all kidding aside, westuits do not stretch over time, but they do loosen as they get wet. In fact, while a wet wetsuit may be a drag to put on when its cold out, it may actually be easier to slip on because the wetsuit has expanded because of the moisture.
After years of putting on wetsuits, both wet and dry, Iʻve found the perfect moment for when itʻs easiest to slip on a wetsuit. To learn more, check out this post.
Is There a Way to Stretch Wetsuit?
While a wetsuit wonʻt necessarily stretch, it is possible to break it in so its looser and more pliable. A good wetsuit acts like your skin when you wear it, so itʻs good to fit tight, so donʻt stretch it out too much.
Stretch it Out
If you just got a new wetsuit and are facing trouble getting comfortable in it, you better get started on those stretches.
Wetsuit stretches I mean. You can pull at the arms and legs a little, lengthening them out and releasing them. Work the material back and forth. Massage it a bit. Do whatever you can to loosen your suit.
When Should You Size up in a Wetsuit?
Every wetsuit is bound to be different, and you’ll notice this too when you try wetsuits from other brands. Therefore, it’s always best to go to a store and try out the wetsuits rather than ordering them online.
If you feel that your wetsuit is too tight when you are trying it on, it will probably be too tight in the water too. A wetsuit should feel comfortable to wear in and out of the water.
If you feel any discomfort while trying on a wetsuit, it may be time to consider trying the next size up.
How Do You Loosen a New Wetsuit?
It’s pretty likely that the first time you wear the wetsuit, it will not be a perfect fit, and that’s okay. Most wetsuits are made in a standard size that should work for more than one person. But the more frequently you wear your wetsuit, the better its fit will get.
To make sure that you’re comfortable in your wetsuit and it fits you properly, you need to loosen up your wetsuit enough. Once the wetsuit is loosened enough to be your second skin, you’ll have no trouble surfing in the water.
A wetsuit that fits your body will always help you move more freely in the water. Also, keep in mind that these wetsuits are made from neoprene. This material is very adaptable, and you can always stretch a bit to get the cloth to loosen up.
How Tight Should a Wetsuit Be Around the Neck?
You know your wetsuit is too tight if it’s choking you up. You’ll know if your wetsuit is too tight or the just right the minute you get into it.
If you feel difficulty breathing while wearing the wetsuit, then that’s a sign not to wear the wetsuit because something is wrong. If this is the case, go up a size because you’ll be more comfortable.
Remember that a wetsuit’s job is not just to be tight, but it also has to be comfortable enough that you can wear it for more than just a couple of hours.
This won’t be possible if the wetsuit closes up on your neck and makes breathing hard for you.
Final Thoughts
The fit of your wetsuit plays a crucial role in your surfing experience. Therefore, it is mandatory to ensure that your wetsuit is not too tight.
The best thing you can do is try on a few sizes and see how the different one fits. The one that fits snugly but is still comfortable to wear will be the suit for you.
