Plus Size Wetsuits

How to determine your Plus Size wetsuit?

Your clothing size does not reflect your wetsuit size. Wetsuits are skin tight and each company has a completely different size chart for their wetsuits. The first thing you want to do is take a look at the manufacturer's plus size chart for the wetsuit that you are interested in. In the Henderson Plus Size size chart you will need your measurements for your bust, waist, and hips. Your wetsuit should fit comfortably and snug. You should be able to breath freely and move your arms and legs. Wetsuits work by allowing a small amount of water inside the suit that your body heats up. If your wetsuit is too large it will allow too much water to flush in and out of your suit and your body will not be able to warm it up.

Where can I wear my Plus Size wetsuit?

We hear from our customers everyday and they share all the activities they participate in. So, what activities can you do in your plus size wetsuit? Diving, recreational swimming, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), wakeboarding and just hanging out in the pool, to name a few. The different thicknesses are worn depending on the water temperature and activity. Cold water divers often wear the 5 and 7mm wetsuits. Men and women swimming typically wear the 3 and 5mm wetsuits. If you are in cool waters but not too cold, the springsuit in a 3mm may be just what you are looking for. If you decide to wear your wetsuit in the swimming pool make sure to rinse it in fresh water so that the chlorine does not break down your wetsuit.

How to measure myself for my plus size wetsuit?

If you don't have a tailors flexible measuring tape, don't worry. You can to get your measurements by using a piece of string and wrap it around your body and then lay the string flat on a tape measure to get your measurements. Anything you can wrap around your body like a belt, string, etc. is great to use and then lay it on a measuring tape.

Why Do Big and Tall And Plus Size Wetsuits Cost More?

Great question and we asked the same thing. So we did some research and here is what we learned. Wetsuits that are in the plus-size range cost more for manufacturers to produce, package, and ship. In some cases there is twice the amount of material required to make the wetsuit and since it is larger it takes more time to glue and stitch. Additionally, there are costs associated with shipping these products and storing them. A great contributor to the additional costs is the high stretchy neoprenes used in these wetsuits. Wetsuits that have more stretch typically cost more because the rubbers have less synthetic chemicals and they have high stretch laminations. It is important to note that wetsuits with more stretch are much easier to put on and take off. Rigid wetsuits can feel exhausting because they require so much energy to move around in while super stretch wetsuits like the ones made by Henderson Thermoprene Pro have over 180% stretch.

Tips for putting on your wetsuit.

All body types can use these tips for putting on your wetsuit. First, plastic bags on your feet and hands can help reduce friction getting your suit on. Putting a hair conditioner on the bags or on your skin can also reduce friction and increase glide. Make sure to pull up your wetsuit above your ankles so that you have enough material to get up in your groin area. When you take your time and make sure your pants feel snug up around your waist you not leave extra material in the legs and this give you a more precise fit in the chest and neck. When wetsuits feel tight in the neck and shoulders, often the issue is because the wetsuit is nut up the legs enough and there is material left in the legs.