Childs wetsuit – Right height or right weight??

So yes try before you buy etc, etc but I’m in Calgary which is a long, long way from the sea and I’m wanting to get a wetsuit for sweajnr before a couple of trips to colder waters later in the year.  I’m looking for 5mm/4mm and it’s pretty limited what I can find online let alone in stores.  It’s not helped by the fact that sweajnr is even more of a beanpole than most (97% for height and 45% for weight) so ones that are the right height inevitably then aren’t snug whilst the snug one isn’t leaving much (any) growing room in the vertical – it’s the only one we’ve tried and I’m debating if I should go for it or risk ordering the bigger size online.

Or suggestions for brands I can potentially research for local distributors etc.

A loose wetsuit is no use to man nor beast.  One that is a bit short in the arms or legs will still be OK – but obviously is the torso is the wrong length etc you won’t even get it on.

With wetsuits a close (but not restrictive) fit is everything.

Wetsuit fit varies a lot between manufacturers.  I was always a perfect fit for Gul before I got tubby in middle age!

You haven’t described what water activities or where.

Have you considered a long John and long sleeved top combo?  We have found this is good for dinghy sailing even on days where we’ve broken ice off the rigging and melted out of mast steps.

Also thermals underneath/layers.

I know it may sound stupid but thermal base layers like Rooster polypro are amazing under a wetsuit for adding warmth. Gill and Musto also do good dinghy thermals and we’ve used the Decathlon ski ones with some success too.

The number of immersions and strenuousness of tha activities makes a difference too.  Mine have been sailing all winter in the UK and the younger one particularly has had a fair few dips.

Standard set up for them…

Thermal base layer top and bottom

Wetsuit socks

Wetsuit boots (tuck the top of the boot inside the wetsuit leg)

High quality 3-4mm long John wetsuit

Aquafleece

Wetsuit “jumper” (3mm) occasionally

Gloves (we’ve used everything from £6 a pair rubberised thermal worker gloves to £35 a pair posh sailing gloves).

https://www.roostersailing.com/

For inspiration and because they’re local to me, make great stuff and do a lot to support the classes and circuits we are involved with.

The polypro and aquafleece products I mentioned in my post above can be found there.

The supatherm range is the warmer wetsuit they do.

I’ve seen some serious bean poles in their kit too.

Good advice.  Activities are surfing (well body boarding basically) off Vancouver Island in May and then the same again off East Scotland in June.

Activities are surfing (well body boarding basically) off Vancouver Island in May and then the same again off East Scotland in June.

I’m not a surfer but everyone I know who surfs/windsurfs/wingfoils is on one piece suits.

The layering / separates thing works for dinghies and kayaks as you’re mostly not immersed and the flexibility in your shoulders is extra useful.  I imagine with surfing the water could more easily find it’s way between those layers in larger volumes and make you cold.

Yep, one piece suits for surfing for sure, too much cold water flushing otherwise.

honestly as mentioned fit is everything and it varies between manufacturers

either go and look at one of the brands websites that have a comprehensive measuring web thingy (surface do this I think for example) to give you the size and buy from them

or just wait until you are in Vancouver island and try some suits on. Given the surf scene there I’m sure there will be a few shops!

Indeed on trying on Vancouver Island.. it’s a balance of not wanting to spend vacation shopping vs probably much more choice…

What are his dimensions?

If you go too small on height you end up with the legs pulling up, creating gaps to booties if you’re wearing them. Not an issue if you’re not wearing booties.

A lot of companies do tall versions of sizes, most places start at mt but needessentials do a small-tall which might be right – at its limits it’s 179cm and 58kg

Or order a few from different brands on Amazon and just send back the ones you don’t want.

He’s 148cm tall and weighs about 28kg..

it’s a balance of not wanting to spend vacation shopping vs probably much more choice…

You can be in/out of a wetsuit shop within 20 minutes, with a suit that fits perfectly.  Alternatively, buy one online and potentially ruin your holiday surf because he’s freezing cold.  Vancouver in May is going to be chuffing freezing and so suit fit is going to be very important for retaining heat – especial if your child is not regulation size/shape.

If I was you I’d do a bit of research on shops (rather than suits), maybe phone a couple of the local shops and find out which one has the most choice for kids suits – especially for his slim build, so you can go directly there, and have the best chance of success.

Yep same problem in this family and you know what shape I am. I have a Gul response 5.3 which kids grew out of long ago (daughter now 5’11 and 27” waist). It is a JS which is rated 140-146 in height. It’s pretty narrow and probably too small for your lad but you can have it for postage if you want to try. Failing that look for next size up (JM).

He’s 148cm tall and weighs about 28kg..

yeah those are a long way off most youth sizing charts. I’d be looking at compromising on both and hoping for the best.

if you want, snugg do custom wetsuits (other companies might also do this), but its not cheap – looking at £300 or so for one. If you or your other half can sew, its possible to alter a wetsuit you buy, but sewing neoprene is a ballache and the seams never seal as well afterwards.

for the sake of £300 it might be worth just feeding him a load of pies in the next 4 weeks and getting him to fit that way 😉

bit of googling, osprey offer youth sizes with “tall” and “short” versions. their junior MT is below – any good?

Medium Tall
4’8″ – 5′

(142 – 152cm)

chest
32″ – 34″

(81 – 86cm)

waist
27″- 29″
(68.6 – 73.6cm)