Wetsuit for swimming for the fat and curvaceous?

[GCAcademic]

I've signed up for some open water swimming this summer and need to get a wetsuit. I bought a Zone 3 wetsuit, but the XL was far too small, so I'm returning it and am reluctant to buy another brand online only to find I have the same issue. I'm a size 16/18, but very curvy and only average height (5'5").

Does anyone have any recommendations for a suitable wetsuit for my body shape, please? I'm also considering separate neoprene leggings and top - would that work better?

Have a look at Alpkit and their sizing. I recently bought one from them - they have short and strong sizing which seems better for my body shape

If you got seperate pieces you could mix the sizes , but you wouldn't get the same protection against the cold water that you get with a one piece. Have you considered a shorty suit?
I think the only thing would be to go to somewhere that sells wetsuits and try some different ones on and get some real time advice.

Oh there was a thread about this a few months ago will try to find it.

I’m the same shape as you and went to the Two bare feet shop. I tried on quite a few and found the separates better fit and easier to get on and off. I bought a set from their own brand which are great.

Thank you for the replies! I had a look at Alpkit, but fear the short and strong may well be still too small, judging by the weight range.

I did wonder about the separates not providing enough protection against the cold. My body is just not in any sort of proportion, though, so I suspect I'm always doing to have issues with a one-piece. @olympicsrock - are you using your two-piece for surfing or swimming?

Would definitely consider a shorty suit: again, is it going to be warm enough?

What thickness are people using?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/thegreatt_outdoors/4992542-best-extra-large-wetsuit-for-open-water-swimming

www.mumsnet.com/talk/sports/4917930-are-average-sized-women-not-allowed-wetsuits?page=2&reply=129888915

Fantastic - thank you. Will check these out!

https://www.triwetsuithire.co.uk/ have a huge range of sizes. I've hired from them before and found them really helpful with sizing

Hello, I am an open water swimmer. In summer a 3mm shorty wetsuit should be fine. I have a man’s size XXXL which fits me fine and am a 20/22. A mans shorty will fit fine but even if you got a full wetsuit you can cut off neoprene without it fraying to make arms or legs shorter. Vinted is good for wetsuits. Finestere is an amazing brand to look out for.

I've heard good things about Lomo wetsuits on the baziliion OWS groups I'm on - they have wetsuits from size 6 to size 32 in various different lengths. I don't have one but I have their swim gloves and the gloves are awesome so assume their wetsuits would be good too.