Editor’s Note: The following #RADGEAR is powered by the team at Carapace Wetsuits.
The EX02 by Carapace Wetsuits.
Shopping for wetsuits in brick and mortar outlets may provide instant gratification and the chance to try them on, just as several other sweaty bodies did before you. But why bother when you can shop for a cheaper, high-quality, built-to-fit wetsuit from the comfort of your own home?
I, like the millions of odd-shaped bodies out there, have been teetering on the margins of medium and large T-shirts for several years now. And finding the right-fitting pair of pants comes around once a year or so, if that. Not to mention, I’ve been told my arms are disproportionately long for my body. So, as you can image, finding the proper wetsuit can be equally frustrating. Fortunately, I’ve found relief.
The good folks at Carapace Wetsuits understand this frustration quite well and have come up with a genius solution: deliver premium, custom-fit wetsuits at a fraction of the cost of most retailers. I had the pleasure of slipping on one of these bad boys for a few test drives—here’s my honest opinion of the EX02 short-arm full suit.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the suit is the fact that it’s custom-fit to your body. However, what good is a custom-fit suit with shit material? Fortunately, Carapace did not sacrifice quality for the built-to-fit feature.
The first thing I noticed about the neoprene is that it’s silky smooth—like a baby’s bottom. It’s thin and very light, so slipping it on and off is a breeze. The high water-repelling properties allow you to stay warm despite its light construction. Combine these elements with a suit that fits like a glove, and what you have is: wider range of motion, more explosive paddling, minimal skin irritation, more energy from less resistance, and overall longer sessions. Not to mention, the suit dries crazy fast. Having a dry suit for your second session of the day is just icing on the cake.
I guess the only beef that I had with the suit is that the crotch seemed to be a bit droopy. And when compared to all the ill-fitting components of standard suits, the sag is very minor. Whether it was a factory-made error or simply a measurement error on my behalf, I will never know. However, after wearing and drying the suit several times, it’s sort of fixing itself and molding to my body more and more. Still, you should take your time when taking your measurements.
When all said and done, one question still remains: Is buying a Carapace wetsuit worth it? Simply put, it’s a for sure yes. If you’re looking to buy a proper-fitting, high-quality suit at a fraction of the cost, Carapace is a fine option. For something you wear as often as a wetsuit, it would be silly not to go with a suit that is designed specifically for your body. Like the late, great Johnnie Cochran once said: “If the wetsuit don’t fit, you must acquit.”
To find out more about Carapace Wetsuits, visit their website.
