How To Purchase a Custom
Terrapin Wet Suit

Step 1. You get measured.

We take up to 52 separate measurements so that your suit will match all your curves.
 

Step 2. Select your materials.

You pick out the thickness and color in your suit. Your suit can be a combination of different thicknesses to cover the parts of you that get colder than others. You can choose from 2 mm, 3mm (1/8"), 5mm (3/16"), or 7mm (1/4"). We also offer a range of rubber properties, such as Rubatex G231 (very low compressibility), Yamamoto SCS metal (powdery smooth inside), and Kevlar laminate (highly puncture resistant).

We can insert geometric designs, critter scenes, etc.

You can also select if you want additional zippers - arms, legs, extra long, pee, semidry, etc.
 

Step 3. A pattern is made and your suit is assembled.

A pattern is made from your measurements, and the pieces of your suit are glued together. This neoprene glue is so strong, that if you tried to pull it apart, the rubber would tear before the glue would release. All Terrapin neoprene suits are glued and stitched, for the maximum strength.  Polartec suits are sewn with a 6-thread cover-stitch, which holds the material together without glue.
 

Step 4. You come for a fitting.

You come for a fitting, to get a perfect fit on the spots "in between" measuring points, custom placement of pockets, kneepads or other special features, and prior to adding zippers on arms & legs. (Can't come in for a fitting?)
 

Step 5. Your suit is finished.

The fit adjustments are made, arm & leg zippers are added, and the neoprene suit is stitched with a 2-thread overlocking stitch, inside and out. This stitch is ideal for wetsuits because it secures the fabric laminated on the surface of the neoprene, without poking holes that go all the way through the neoprene; therefore minimizing the paths for water to get into your suit.  On suits thinner than 2mm, where the glue surface is thin, the 6-thread cover-stitch is used, to provide strength and support the seam.

Finally, the finishing bindings are added to all openings. We leave no rough edges on Terrapin suits (even inside the zippers are finished with soft binding). Your custom suit is ready for your next dive!

For optimal use of your wetsuit, please be sure to read, understand, and follow the suggested Care and Feeding of Your New Suit.  These can be found by clicking About Wet Suit Materials or Warranty, Terms & Conditions.

Here's the process we use for distant clients
  1. You download the measure chart from our website at
    Click Here for Printable Measurement Chart you will need Adobe Reader click link to download if needed.
     
  2. Have another person take your measurements, over whatever you'd be wearing beneath the suit (either a swimsuit, or a polartec, etc.). I always recommend you take each measurement 3 times, to check that you've got it right.  Some hints for measuring:

    On the chart there are circumferential measurements (4-chest, 5-waist, etc.) and vertical measurements (4.5 is the vertical space between where you measured the chest and where you measured the waist). Take these vertical measurements down the side of your body, under the arm. Even if you're only going to order the pool suit, please provide all the measurements, that helps me visualize your shape when making the pattern.

    Item 18, the girth measurement, is very important. That's taken from the clavicle notch in the front (B), through the legs and up the back to the vertebrae at the base of the neck (A).  Be sure the measuring tape is held flat to the body, following the curves of the seat and small of back.

    Item 20 is the inseam measurement from crotch all the way to the ankle bone. Item 21 is the measurement on the outside of your body from the side waist all the way down to the ankle. For item 22, indicate the inseam length you want on the leg of your shorty or pool suit. The price will be the same if you chose between 5" and 9" inseam - if you leave item 22 blank, we'll make the inseam 5". For Item 23, indicate on the chart whether you want the front zipper to be centered (C) or go diagonally down one side (S). If you choose S, indicate left side (LS) or right side (RS).
     

     

  3. On the bottom of the measure chart is a drawing of the basic suit seams. There are no center front, back or side seams, only the "princess" seams front and back. Indicate on this drawing what colors you want on the body panels, and what thickness neoprene you want on each panel. Terrapin offers a wide range of colors in 3mm (1/8"), 5mm (3/16"), or 7mm (1/4").  I also offer a limited selection of colors in 1mm, 2mm, and Polartech materials.  The color choices currently available are shown on our website.
     
  4. Sign page 2 and send both pages along with a 50% deposit check. The remaining balance and the shipping will be due when the suit is finished and ready to ship. If you're not sure of the amount, just call me and we can discuss the cost of the suit before you commit.
     
  5. Send two full-length photographs of yourself: front view and side view, in addition to the completed measure chart and deposit.
     
  6. Mail the documents to:
    Terrapin Wet Suits
    1268 Ponderosa Dr.
    New Braunfels, TX  78132-2059
  7. When I get the documents, I'll call to let you know they arrived and we can discuss any measurements that are unclear. I'll make the suit to match those measurements, accounting for the degree of stretch in the thickness of neoprene you select. Typically that is between 5% and 10%.
     
  8. When the suit is ready to ship for the fitting, I'll call to notify you. You can then send the remaining amount due.  We STRONGLY RECOMMEND A FITTING BEFORE THE SUIT IS FINISHED.  This is the best way to get the best possible fit.  Fitting instructions will be shipped along with the suit, but you can also see them on the alterations page by clicking alteration marking instructions.
     
  9. If you are unable to come to Terrapin for a fitting, and time constraints prevent a fitting before you need the finished suit, you will be entitled to one fitting alteration within four months of the ship date. All you would pay for is the shipping to me, I'll pay the return ship. So you can dive the suit and then let me know if it needs adjusting. I can also alter the suit if you want to make a design change or a size change, but those would be charged at our standard labor rate. 



Contact us to discuss your suit!