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 On: 2008-05-04
I bought a youth 8 size for my 7 year old boy and we just returned from almost 2 weeks in Mexico where this got near constant use. The boy is as skinny as a rail and while a strong swimmer had to bow out of an ocean snorkle trip last year after 45 minutes because he got too cold. The Aqua Sphere Stingray kids shorty wetsuit is well made, with nice lycra stretch panels at legs and shoulders and neck and a good neoprene wetsuit torso. Theres a big beefy zipper and a velcro zipper lock at the top. None of the stitching or construction showed any sign of weakness in the first couple of weeks of use and it certainly did help the boy stay warm in the ocean and the pool. It also helped with solar cover up. When he wore the suit it protected all his body except limbs and face from sun burn.
There were only 2 downsides:
1) Leg opening cuffs too tight. I pulled and stretched them out as much as I dared and that helped - but there were still a bit tight. This is suprising because the boy is skinny as a rail and I bought one size up and it fits him otherwise. Im considering cutting a notch and then doing my own reinforcement stitching (if I can find the requisite stretch lycra thread.
2) The neoprene grips on waterslides so he had to take it off when using waterslides - which definitely put in crimp in the usefulness on waterslide days.
All in all well recommended for kids for a wide range of circumstances. Consider going one to two sizes up to account for the tight legs.
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