The most innovative surf suit to hit the market in years, the Body Glove Vapor women's wetsuit is ideal for cold water locales. The suit features a minimal panel design made of relatively thick 4/3 mm water-repellent Vapor Flex material (4 mm in the torso and 3 mm in the arms and shoulders), with thermofiber panels added from the chest down. What really makes the suit cozy in frigid water, however, are the Fluid Seal seams, which are initially blindstitched (glued and then stitched) so that the thread and needle holes penetrate only the top area of the surface. The inner seams are then reinforced with tape to keep almost every drop of water out. The precise construction results in a great suit for water as cold as 52 degrees F (users should consider 6/5/4 mm or 5/4/3 mm suits for colder water). In addition, the suit is anatomically cut for both comfort and style, culminating in a glove-like fit (the sizes range from 3 to 13). Add in such handy extras as superflex stretch kneepads (a must for surfers), an interior floodgate, a key pocket, and a short zip that also lets in a minimum of water and you have a great suit for a host of chilly surf spots.
Wetsuit Sizing:
- 3: 5'0"-5'2" / 95-100 pounds
- 5: 5'2"-5'4" / 110-115 pounds
- 7: 5'4"-5'7" / 120-130 pounds
- 9: 5'6"-5'9" / 130-140 pounds
- 11: 5'7"-5'10" / 140+ pounds
- 13: 5'7"-5'10" / 155+ pounds
About Body Glove
The life story of twin brothers Bob and Bill Meistrell is an all-American rags-to-riches tale of building the Body Glove empire and creating the California lifestyle dedicated to the ocean. When they moved to Manhattan Beach as teenagers in the 1940's, Bob and Bill instantly took to the ocean, joining with the other pioneers of California surfing including the legendary Dale Velzy and Greg Noll to form the Manhattan Beach Surf Club. Cementing their commitment to the water and establishing their credentials as true watermen, Bob and Bill became L.A. County Lifeguards, then scuba divers, then vital participants in the first Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Course (1UICC), joining the first group in the world to become certified scuba instructors.
Bob and Bill borrowed $1,800 and became partners with Bev Morgan in 1953 to develop Dive N' Surf into southern California's premiere retail store dedicated to surfing and diving, while continuing to surf every day, lifeguard, and operate a commercial diving business. Bob and Bill went on to expand the business to offer full lines of surfing and diving equipment, classes and apparel at multiple locations and thereby create a southern California retail institution introducing untold numbers of people young and old to the ocean.
Bob and Bill found a new insulating material called Neoprene and invented the first practical wetsuit, opening the cold California waters to year-round enjoyment for surfers and divers. The suit "fit like a glove" and Body Glove was born.
During the 1980's, Body Glove was involved with professional surfing, including their sponsorship of the Body Glove Grand Prix, a mini-tour based in Southern California. The Meistrells had a futuristic vision of pro surfing in America and formed an important alliance with Anheuser Busch and Don Corsini. Together, they built the Budweiser Surf Tour which hosted pro surfing events all across the mainland U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
