Neo Sport Men’s and Women’s Front Zipper Wetsuit Vest - 2.5mm -4-Way Stretch Neoprene - 50+ UV SHIELD

I bought this for aqua aerobics in a pool that is about 80 degrees. The 8 was too big (I've lost some weight, so guessing size was difficult). I am currently 5'6" and 140 lbs. The 6 fit much better.It made some difference, although I wish I had spent the extra and bought one with short sleeves. The neck of the 8 gaped a bit at the base of my 70 year old friend (who fit the 8 well). A pocket of water would form and as she moved, the fresh water would go down her back, making the vest less helpful for her.As a scuba diver, I want to remind people that the purpose of a neoprene suit is to not to keep water out, but to fit tightly so that incoming water becomes trapped between the neoprene and your skin. That water warms to body temp and the neoprene insulates the warm water layer. If there is any place that does not fit tightly against your skin, every time you move, the warm water squishes out and cooler water moves in. You not only lost that nice warm water, but now your body wastes its "warm" to warm up the new cool water.Proper fit means that you buy the smallest vest in which you can just barely zip the zipper up. Yes it will feel tight, but once in the water the neoprene stretches a bit. The 8 felt like a tight jacket, but I knew that while the zipper was tight, I would still be able to zip up the next smaller size. Once I tried the 6, I knew that the 8 was too big.

I bought this to wear swimming outdoors on the Northern CA coast, where even in August it can be 53 degrees outside and foggy. I wear a women's 14, and so bought the size 14. Wrong! TOO BIG! According to the height and weight chart, that's what I should wear, but I wish I had gotten a size 12 (5'9", 175 lbs). Luckily I can sew and was able to take it in, and now it's fine. I suggest that you order a size down because you want it to fit tight to keep the water out. What keeps you warm is a layer of water, you don't want more pouring in every time you move your arms.

i'm a fireplug kinda guy, and was initially a bit dismayed when i tried on this vest... it was *tight* even i measured my chest... however, this is actually good if i'm just wearing the vest... HOWEVER, if you intend to wear this vest over another suit DEFINITELY order one size larger...i'm also 68" with a short torso, and this vest *barely* reaches my board shorts... it also does NOT have a waist cord loop to prevent the vest from riding up if you're swimming laps or swimming for your board or just plain snorkeling... also, the arm holes are cut a bit small (but not too small) for my big shoulders (from swimming laps every morning)just keep these things in mind: short torso length, no waist loop, and small-cut arm holes... if you're not fireplug pudge like me, then this vest will work for you... the tight fit works for me however, and i can swim a mile with no irritation... will have to sew in a loop though... i did; see the pic - took a short bit of black paracord, melted the ends together, then sewed to the back of the bottom seam (ran the machine back and forth about a dozen times) - voila! much improved!however, considering that these vests are zippered and are well-sewn with good construction, i'm giving it a 4-star rating... and if i wear it out in a year, i'll order another one!

I bought this vest for open water swimming. I thought it would provide some warmth in the frigid waters that I swim, plus some buoyancy. Well, it did provide some buoyancy, but not really that much warmth. One of the buyers mentioned that it ride up while swimming in it, and he/she was right. It really didn't stay put. I used plenty of Body Glide on my armpits and neck to prevent any chafing. After swimming in it, I got chafing badly on my armpit area and the back of my neck. I guess I would only recommend it for brief swimming. I'm certainly not going to use it again.

Ordered large because everything I own is medium and I like vests a bit less constrictive for mild weather usage. I am 5'9", 162 lbs, 32 waist. This would not even BEGIN to zip. I struggled to get the zipper sides to meet, and zipping was impossible.Please check your quality control on sizes. Perhaps this was merely mislabeled and was actually a small instead of a large. Every other wetsuit top I own is a medium, my shirts are medium, jacket is size 40, etc.

I bought this to extend my 4/3 wetsuit farther into the season. I get cold easily, and 50 degree air temps with water temps in the high 50s had my core freezing. I now wear this under my wetsuit- I'm beyond toasty, and can surf for hours. Very comfortable and fits true to size. I've only used it a handful of times now, but it's holding up great so far

Finally, a vest I can breathe in! I swim in an outdoor pool in central Florida. I’m sensitive to the chilly water even in the summer and have to wear layers of neoprene. Every unisex vest I tried constricted my lungs but this vest was amazing because it is cut for a women’s shape. It’s great on warmer days over a rash guard and good on colder days over/under a wetsuit. Thank you for the great vest!

My wife is a Masters swimmer so she and the water are great friends. Someone walked off with her vest this summer so we began a quest for the perfect swim vest (wetsuit top) and settled on NeoSport. We had to return two as the sizes publicized run small. She is at the most a size 6 but those were very tight. We ended up with a 10, which works great. She loves and now that the cooler weather has come to northern California, she is using it daily in her workouts. She loves it.

i bought a size 4 but it's quite fitted so will buy a size 6 to compare.UPDATE:Size up. I tried on size 6 and it's so much better!The material and construction of this wetsuit vest is well made.Would highly recommend for any water sport (mainly stand up paddle boarding for me)

Sizing is really off. Measurements would put me in a 14 however I think a 10 or 12 would have been better. It had a strange gap at back of neck, arm holes were very large. I ended up taking it in as as smaller size was not available. Thermal quality was not up to expectation.

Rating it five for fit. I am 5’6”, 130 lbs, Chest 36D, Waist 31” and the size 10 fit perfectly. Snug but not tight. Arm holes had enough room. Strong solid zipper & neoprene seems good quality. Long enough as I also bought the high waist unisex neoprene shorties. Haven’t worn it in the water yet.

I normally get cold snorkeling after awhile in Cuba so I purchased this vest. BEST PURCHASE EVER! It's super comfortable, fit my body perfectly, and it kept me warm on my trip. I wore it every time I went out and was very happy to have it. For size, if you're in-between sizes when you measure yourself, go with the next size up as they are snug.

The picture does not reflect the description. It is only a jacket without sleeve, you have to really buying, expand the pictures to see the outline of the jacket. I you are looking only for a short sleeve neoprene jacket, this item is fine. If you are wearing something under this jacket order a size larger than you normally wear.