Orca Sizing

[WillUnderwater]

Hi Guys,

Well my wetsuit ripped and I'm looking into an Orca

For those of you that have them - how do you find they fit? I was told by a retailer to add 15lbs to my weight to get the appropriate size - is this true?

I am around 6'3 - 185lbs 33" waist.. usually a 34-35" inseam

The size chart is as follows. The retailer recommended a size 9 for me. However 8 seems like it fit better - I'm on the upper end of the height but lower end of the weight. Chest size is roughly 38" (first numbers under the size). Thanks for any suggestions you can provide!

MT
37-39"
5'10"-6'2"
149-167lbs

7
38-41"
5'8"-6'1"
165-180lbs

8
41-43"
5'11"-6'2"
180-196lbs

9
43-44"
6'1"-6'4"
196-213lbs

[ezequiel]

i bought an S1 , followed his recommendation and regret it ,.
get the 8. the wetsuit stretches very good.

[WillUnderwater]

Well, the Orca site lists 8 as "Large Tall" and 9 as "Large Broad Chest"

I am much more "large tall" then "broad chest". While I am at the very end of the height for size 8 (Im 6'2 to 6'3 and it says up to 6'2) I do have some room to play in the weight category as it says 180-196 and I am around 185. Eight seems like the best fit..

[DivingDane]

yep get the 8! not the 9 i wear a sz7 and i'm 6'4" and 170lb and it is perfect stretches plenty and closes with a little bit of effort but sticks like glue so yep ignore the shop owner you want the suit tight so go the 8.

DD

[chrismar]

I'm ~160lb, 40" chest and 6' in your outdated measurements and use a Sonar, Apex2 & Alpha. The sonar is an MT and is too big for freediving. The Apex2 & Alpha are both size 5. They're tight and not long enough in the legs, but if you make the effort when putting it on it shouldn't be restrictive. If you go too big, the neck & back will bag out and you may as well be swimming in a bucket. If it doesn't feel tight the first time, it's at least two sizes too big.

[Tony Babowicz]

my two cents. I have the Orca 2009Equip. 1mm for dynamic. size 8. I am 5'7" barely. I weigh 165 tops. I have a broad chest for my height. I would never be able to fit in the 7. My suit fits tight everywhere.
I have met you Will and you are very tall. I would suggest you try one on somewhere. If you come down this way soon, you can try on my size 8 and see if it has enough stretch.

[chrismar]

Originally Posted by Tony Babowicz

my two cents. I have the Orca 2009Equip. 1mm for dynamic. size 8. I am 5'7" barely. I weigh 165 tops. I have a broad chest for my height. I would never be able to fit in the 7. My suit fits tight everywhere.
I have met you Will and you are very tall. I would suggest you try one on somewhere. If you come down this way soon, you can try on my size 8 and see if it has enough stretch.

...And this is why you have to try a suit on. On my advice, Tony would be in a size 5 like me and cursing my name to the gods. If I ended up in an 8, I'd be inviting a friend to fill it out.

[WillUnderwater]

Well, I went against the general consensus and ordered an 8. The fit is very tight - but I wouldn't want it any other way. A size up and I'd more then likely have some loose space. The fit is perfect in the arms - maybe an inch short in the legs - but that doesn't bug me too much - part of being tall.

I'm impressed with the suit -very well made - very slick exterior (yamamoto) - yet with an interior still easy to get into. The different material in the underarms adds flexibility perfect for proper form. Can't wait to get this thing wet tomorrow

[azapa]

this may or may not help future purchasers. certainly send them an email. i got this great response.


----- Original Message -----Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 4:35 PM
Subject: RE: sizing help RS1, freediving use



Hi Simon

Thank you for your email.

It is always a bit hard to fit a suit based on measurements alone as obviously everyone has different body types, muscle mass etc.

However, I think a size 5 would be a good size as your chest and weight measurements are within the size range for the suit. It is more important to get these measurements correct as a few cm’s shorter around the wrists/ankles will not affect the performance of the suit. As the RS1 Fullskn is a 1mm neoprene, it is obviously extremely flexible so I don’t think it will affect you in full inhale.

All the best with your training.

Kind regards



To: info
Subject: sizing help RS1, freediving use


Dear Sir or Madam,



I am looking to buy an Orca suit and would appreciate your fitting tips as I am a bit of a funny shape.



I will use the suit for freediving, depth disciplines and pool dynamic disciplines. Maybe a fun snorkeling protection in warmer waters too. I am looking at the RS1 because, to be honest, it fits my budget more than the Apex etc.



My chest is 34" at rest, 36" partial inhale, and 37" full inhale (remember my uses will be for freediving where I will be at full inhale)



I am 1.79m tall and weigh 65Kgs. Adult male.



I am guessing a size 5 = small? Might that restrict me on full inhale?



Options please.



Thanks

[Phil C]

Azapa,

Interestingly we have almost exactly the same dimensions. I have been using an RS1 for the last few months for pool training and max attempts (previously using a TYR speed suit for comps/max attempts).

I'm almost 100% certain mine is a 5 (I will check and confirm). Assuming that mine is a 5 you should find it a good fit. When new it had a slightly tight feeling around the diaphragm on a max inhale that becomes unnoticeable once submerged.

Water floods in through the seams when you submerge so it is not as warm as a normal tri suit.

After 3 months and 3-5 training sessions per week in chlorinated water it is starting to stretch a little and I have noticed a little bagginess developing and more flushing occurring. I would expect that it will not last many more months and will need replacing for next winter's pool sessions. If you get 80-100 training sessions out of it you would be doing really well.

On the plus side, the suit feels flexible and slippery in the water and the slight buoyancy on the legs/torso is just enough to lift the feet without needing a weightbelt (like other TRI suits).

I have had Ironman, Orca Apex and Speedo STR suits (I still use the STR suit for training exhale dynamics because of the aditional leg buoyancy) and would not bother spending the extra money again for pool training.

Phil

[Phil C]

Turns out my RS1 is a 6.

Phil

[WillUnderwater]

Just thought I would post this in case anyone runs into similar problems:

I have only had my suit a matter of not even a month - and the seams have separated in many areas and even have a hole due to one of separations. Have been in contact with Orca and they admit that there have been several large batches of suits released with "faulty glue" to quote them. I am trying to work with the retailer I got this from - but it's being a pain. Hopefully Orca will help me out and get a replacement.