Mares wetsuit

[cmp]

Hi, Iam after some advice, I will be going to the red sea next week so I thought I would splash out and buy myself a wetsuit. Normally I just use the dive centers but sometimes they leave a lot to be desired and we all know what people do in them

I bought a Mares 5-4-3 full suit, but as always for me nothing fits perfect, size 7 too big and 6 a snug fit, went for the 6 as I presume it will give a little after a bit of use.

I would like to know what is the best way to pack it in the suitcase, are the zips a bit more flexible than drysuits or do you have to avoid folding them also?

Whats the best way of getting the things on, I was trying it on today and started getting hot and sweating and it just got more difficult, would I be better putting it on when wet, are there any tips? (like talcing drysuit seals to make it easier to get on). I have only ever worn shorties before and they were much easier to get into.

Thanks in advance, Colin.

[Darren555]

I find that putting a plastic carrier bag on your hands/feet before inserting makes a difficult job easy.

[cmp]

Thanks for that Darren, I was speaking with a YD dive buddy last night and he said the same thing.

[StuartC]

when packing a wetsuit I usually put it into the case/bag first with arms and legs sticking out, fill the case with the rest of the gear and then wrap arms and legs in so that the suit is wrapped around the outside of everything and the creases are kept to a minimum.

plastic zipper is less likely to get knacked than a drysuit one would.

if you find the plastic bag doesn't work well then try something like Suit Slick, or the cheap version of o'three's Jollop (i.e. a big tub of vet lube!)

[cmp]

Cheers Stuart, thats a good tip for packing the suit, the lube sounds like a good idea but i have never seen any being used or seen it in the shops.