Xerotherm Arctic - fitting

MarkT · April 28th, 2007, 06:02 PM

Planning to get a set of the Xerotherm Arctic to go under my Protec as a step down from the 200g undersuit I have now for when things are a little warmer.

Should I be aiming for a 'snug' fitting but obviously still maintaining mobility or do they work better with a loose fit?

Only reason I ask is that by the sizing chart I'm in the middle of the 'large' range but one store I've spoken to insists that I will need to go up a size or they will be too tight.

wilbo · April 28th, 2007, 07:27 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MarkT)

Planning to get a set of the Xerotherm Arctic to go under my Protec as a step down from the 200g undersuit I have now for when things are a little warmer.

Should I be aiming for a 'snug' fitting but obviously still maintaining mobility or do they work better with a loose fit?

Only reason I ask is that by the sizing chart I'm in the middle of the 'large' range but one store I've spoken to insists that I will need to go up a size or they will be too tight.

My own personal view is that they they should be snug but allow for a layer or two of thermals underneath - while still allowing full range of movements.. As for fitting - go try one on! Take a couple of Tshirts to put on over each other - or the thermals that you would wear when its colder and try it on.. get a mate to come along and observe your reach in both just the artic and with both layers on..

MarkT · April 28th, 2007, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback.

Yes, I was planning to go for the 'trying it on' route but they only had an XXL top and medium legs in stock so that was a little unhelpful

They have more stock on the way but not for a couple of weeks so thought I'd get some other input.

*Clare Gledhill* · April 28th, 2007, 08:55 PM

Mark - depends how big or small really.

I have worn Xerotherms which are too big for me without issue (cue small jokes about how all of them would be too big unless made for Barbie or action man).

Wearing ones which are too snug could present problems both in flexibility (hard to see really as the things really do stretch) but also in 'bare bits' when tops and bottom seperate leaving a bare midrif - which would be a bit chilly

**jb2cool** · April 28th, 2007, 10:41 PM

I have a set of Arctic's in large that you are welcome to borrow to try for size. Is it going to be much different from your 200g suit though? I thought the Arctics weighed in at being equivalent to about 150g or so.

MarkT · April 28th, 2007, 11:33 PM

Thanks Clare, it does make sense to avoid going too small for sure.

Mostly I was concerned about compromising the 'wicking' ability of the garments by going too large but that is probably not much of a risk once the Protec has been 'vacuum packed' at the start of the dive

JB; thanks for the offer but I should be able to try on the various sizes once they are back in stock, if I was ordering over the net I'd have taken up your offer though.

Fortunately my LDS is only slightly more expensive than the best prices I can find out there.

April 28th, 2007, 06:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	Xerotherm Arctic - fitting Planning to get a set of the Xerotherm Arctic to go under my Protec as a step down from the 200g undersuit I have now for when things are a little warmer. Should I be aiming for a 'snug' fitting but obviously still maintaining mobility or do they work better with a loose fit? Only reason I ask is that by the sizing chart I'm in the middle of the 'large' range but one store I've spoken to insists that I will need to go up a size or they will be too tight.

April 28th, 2007, 07:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
wilbo (Online) Chimp 4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 878	Quote: (Originally Posted by MarkT) Planning to get a set of the Xerotherm Arctic to go under my Protec as a step down from the 200g undersuit I have now for when things are a little warmer. Should I be aiming for a 'snug' fitting but obviously still maintaining mobility or do they work better with a loose fit? Only reason I ask is that by the sizing chart I'm in the middle of the 'large' range but one store I've spoken to insists that I will need to go up a size or they will be too tight. My own personal view is that they they should be snug but allow for a layer or two of thermals underneath - while still allowing full range of movements.. As for fitting - go try one on! Take a couple of Tshirts to put on over each other - or the thermals that you would wear when its colder and try it on.. get a mate to come along and observe your reach in both just the artic and with both layers on.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

April 28th, 2007, 08:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,547	Mark - depends how big or small really. I have worn Xerotherms which are too big for me without issue (cue small jokes about how all of them would be too big unless made for Barbie or action man). Wearing ones which are too snug could present problems both in flexibility (hard to see really as the things really do stretch) but also in 'bare bits' when tops and bottom seperate leaving a bare midrif - which would be a bit chilly __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

April 28th, 2007, 10:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
jb2cool(Offline) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 804	I have a set of Arctic's in large that you are welcome to borrow to try for size. Is it going to be much different from your 200g suit though? I thought the Arctics weighed in at being equivalent to about 150g or so. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

April 28th, 2007, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I was planning to go for the 'trying it on' route but they only had an XXL top and medium legs in stock so that was a little unhelpful They have more stock on the way but not for a couple of weeks so thought I'd get some other input.

April 28th, 2007, 11:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	Thanks Clare, it does make sense to avoid going too small for sure. Mostly I was concerned about compromising the 'wicking' ability of the garments by going too large but that is probably not much of a risk once the Protec has been 'vacuum packed' at the start of the dive JB; thanks for the offer but I should be able to try on the various sizes once they are back in stock, if I was ordering over the net I'd have taken up your offer though. Fortunately my LDS is only slightly more expensive than the best prices I can find out there.