I took advantage of the current 60%-off coupon on xterra wetsuits and got myself a Vortex 3 for under $200. It seemed to fit pretty well on dry land, tight, but not too tight, no problem zipping it up, no baggy bits. However, today when I wore it in the water for the first time, I immediately got a load of water down the back of my neck, and when I tried to adjust it further, another load down my front. This is the first time I've ever worn a wetsuit, and I hoping I just didn't have it pulled up sufficiently around the neck. I'm going to try it again tomorrow, but in the meantime, if anybody has any advice, I'm eager to hear it.
Also, after my suit was thoroughly wetted inside (top half), I found it very difficult to adjust, so I ended up just taking it off and hanging it up to dry. Is it even possible to put on a wet wetsuit, i.e., should I have taken it off and then tried to put it on again?
Thanks, all. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try it on again in the water today. Hopefully, tomorrow. I did reread the manufacturer's instructions. The one step I didn't cover yesterday was where you're supposed to bend over double after you've got your arms in and grab the loose folds around your belly and hike them up toward your shoulders. I did ease the legs into my crotch and the arms into my shoulders, but not the belly part, so I'm hoping that will make a difference.
I don't think the suit is too big, Slug. It does fit pretty snugly on dry land, and I'm at the top of the height and weight chart for that size (medium-large; I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs.) Who knows though? Maybe I just have a weird body shape. At least Xterra has a very decent return & exchange policy, so if I'm not happy after this weekend, I'll give them a call.
Thanks, all. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try it on again in the water today. Hopefully, tomorrow. I did reread the manufacturer's instructions. The one step I didn't cover yesterday was where you're supposed to bend over double after you've got your arms in and grab the loose folds around your belly and hike them up toward your shoulders. I did ease the legs into my crotch and the arms into my shoulders, but not the belly part, so I'm hoping that will make a difference.
I don't think the suit is too big, Slug. It does fit pretty snugly on dry land, and I'm at the top of the height and weight chart for that size (medium-large; I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs.) Who knows though? Maybe I just have a weird body shape. At least Xterra has a very decent return & exchange policy, so if I'm not happy after this weekend, I'll give them a call.
