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How to Order a Custom-Fit Wetsuit

  1. Pay for your order online or by phone at 310-212-3040.
  2. Print this page or download a PDF version of the measurement chart or chart with instructions.
  3. Fill in the Measurement Chart where indicated.
  4. Email a photo of the completed form to info@jmjwetsuits.com or FAX it to (310) 212-3022.

How to measure for a custom wetsuit

Measurements for a custom wetsuit should be taken while wearing a swimsuit or snug fitting, lightweight clothing. Always have a friend assist you as it is not possible to properly take several of the measurements by yourself. Always take the body measurements as accurately as possible. If you want to allow for undergarments or a loose fit you can communicate that to us, but give us the actual measurement and let us do the compensating.

Use a cloth tape and pull it snug but not tight. The linear measurements determine the length of the torso, legs and sleeves of the suit, and also correspond to the points at which you measure the circumferences. Circumference measurements are taken around the body and you are looking for either the largest circumference (neck, chest, buttocks, thigh, calf, bicep, forearm) or the smallest circumference (ankle, below knee, waist, elbow).

If you give us an accurate height and weight we can double check your measurements for mistakes. We’ve been doing this for over forty years so there’s not much you can do we haven’t seen before. Just refer to the chart on the order form and follow the directions below and you'll wind up with a great fitting suit.

Linear Measurements

It is easiest to take the linear measurements while standing behind the person to be measured, who should stand in a relaxed position with their arms at their side. The first linear measurements are taken from a point identified as the shoulder tip and are measured from that point to where the waist and buttock circumferences will be taken. The shoulder tip point should be on top of the shoulder about 2" in from the edge of the shoulder when the person's arm is at their side.

Shoulder Tip to Waist: Place zero end of tape on shoulder tip and measure to the center of the back to the level of the smallest circumference between the chest and the buttocks.

Shoulder Tip to Buttocks: Place tape on shoulder tip and measure to the center back at the level of the widest circumference of the lower hips.

Shoulder Tip to Crotch: This measurement determines the torso length. Place tape on shoulder tip and measure to where the persons buttock meets their thigh. This should be at the very top of their leg.

Ankle to Calf: Place the zero end of the tape right above the ankle bone. Measure up to the largest circumference of the calf.

Ankle to Below Knee: Keeping the zero end of the tape above the ankle bone measure up to the smallest circumference of the leg below the knee joint.

Ankle to Crotch: Keeping the zero end of the tape above the ankle bone measure up to the top of the person's leg, to the same point that you measured to for the Shoulder tip to Crotch. This determines total leg length.

Tip of Shoulder to Wrist: This measurement should be taken with the arm extended out to the side as shown on the chart. It is easiest to place the zero end of the tape on the shoulder bone with the person's arm at their side, and then have the person extend their arm out as shown. Measure to the wrist bone.

Elbow to Wrist: With the person's arm extended as shown measure from the elbow bone to the wrist.

Shoulder Tip to Shoulder Tip: Taken from behind with the arms at the side from shoulder tip to shoulder tip.

Center Forehead to Base of Neck: Taken from center of forehead, about 2" above eye line, over head to back of neck, to a point where a crew neck or t-shirt collar would lie. Needed for hood length.

Circumferences

Around the Forehead: Taken around the largest part of the forehead, above the eyes and ears line. Used for determining fit on a hood.

Around the Neck: Take in middle of neck at largest circumference.

Around the Bust: Take at largest circumference, usually around nipple line. Have measuree lift arms out to side, place tape around chest, and then have them lower arms to side. Make sure tape stays level around back.

Around the Waist: Smallest circumference between chest and buttocks. Not where you would measure the waist for a pair of pants, but normally a couple of inches higher just below the base of the rib cage. Tends to get lower with age and experience. If not smaller than chest or buttocks then take largest circumference of waist area.

Around the Buttocks: Take at widest circumference of lower hips. Keep tape level.

Around the Thigh: Take at upper thigh about an inch or so down from crotch line.

Below Knee: Take at smallest circumference below knee joint.

Around the Calf: Take at largest part of calf muscle, usually about 4” down from below knee.

Around Ankle above Bone: Take at smallest circumference above ankle bone.

Around the Wrist: Take at smallest part of wrist above wrist bone.

Around the Forearm: Take largest circumference of the forearm, about 2 1/2" below elbow.

Elbow: Take smallest circumference just above elbow joint.

Around the Bicep: Place tape around largest part of bicep and have measuree lower arm against his side.

Around the Shoulder: Stand behind measuree and have them raise their arm out to their side. Place the zero end on top of the shoulder bone and wrap tape around front of shoulder, under the arm and back up to the top. Have measuree lower arm to side and then read measurement.

Additional Female Measurements

Shoulder Tip to Tip of Bust: Taken from the front. Place the zero end of tape on shoulder tip and measure down to bust tip. Determines placement of the largest circumference of bust-line.

Bust Tip to Bust Tip: Hold zero end of tape in left hand. Holding tape level in front of measuree place 10" point on right bust tip, read across to left bust tip and subtract 10" from measurement.

Measurement Chart

Wetsuit measurement chart

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