Choosing a wetsuit can be a tricky task if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The right fit for your wetsuit is key to keeping you warm in those brisk winter waters.

Measuring for Your Wetsuit

Measuring for your wetsuit is super simple. For most people, the sizing will be based on your height and chest size. Women can also base their wetsuit size on their dress size, but again this needs to be close fitting otherwise you’ll lose the suits insulating properties.

To find the right fit of wetsuit, you’ll need to measure both your height and your chest. First off, to measure the chest, grab a tape measure and bring it under both armpits before bringing it across the broadest part of your chest and take note of the measurement. For women, measure around the widest part of your bust. Remember to stand up straight and keep your torso and upper body relaxed.

Next, you’ll want to measure your waist circumference. Start at the hip and take the tape measure around the entire circumference of your waist and end at the same point. Again, remember to work around the widest part of to get an accurate measurement.

To measure your height, measure from the bottom of the back of one of your heels, up to the top of your head ensuring you’re standing up straight. It’s usually easiest to get this measurement by standing against a wall.

Gloves are simple to measure too. Take a tape measure and measure your hand around the entire circumference of your knuckle.

You can see how to accurately measure yourself in our Wetsuit Measuring Guide video below.

Fitting Your Wetsuit

Getting the optimal fit for your wetsuit is key for ensuring you stay warm and comfortable out in the water. A wetsuit should be close to the skin and fit tightly against the body. This is crucial in ensuring that your wetsuit doesn’t suffer from excess flushing. Stopping a wetsuit from completely filling with water ensures the finest possible warmth and comfort. Flushing is usually caused by loose cuffs or pockets of material that will let in and hold cold water.


Starting with the shoulders and back, the quickest and easiest way to test the fit is to try and grab a handful of fabric from the back of the suit. If you’re able to grab the fabric, this indicates that the suit is slightly too big. Remember that the suit needs to remain tight but also comfortable to allow for a full range of movement while you’re out in the water.

Next you want to look at the arms.  Under the arms there should be no bunching of material that could become a pocket. You also want to be able to move your arms easily and comfortably from your side to above your head.

Moving down to the waist and legs, you want to avoid any bunching of fabric or loose material around the wait or the joints of the leg. The leg of the wetsuit should finish just above the ankle bone. Anything longer may indicate that the wetsuit is a little too big.

You can find out more about wetsuit fitting in our Wetsuit Fitting Guide video below.


Osprey Wetsuits