1. sell me your spring straps. mine are way too big. i gave them to my boyfriend (for the promise that he reimburses me when i find smaller ones) but he seems to really hate them (because they don't have finger pulls) - so if he'll give them back to me, we might be able to just do a trade if you're interested. (actually, you and i should probably both measure the lengths of our respective straps to compare first ...)
2. what bob said. and make sure the laces are nice and loose. it wouldn't hurt to lean against something if you aren't already. and you can always sit down to put them on, too - just like normal boots really.
3. you're welcome - glad i could be of some help to you. ](*,)
![crybaby :crybaby:](./images/smilies/crybaby2.gif)
since then i've also read that it's pretty much useless to try to stretch a new latex seal. (i guess it is supposed to work with neoprene ones, though?) i had the first "ring" removed when i had the new seal installed. it still feels hella tight every time i put it on, and i definitely feel constricted, but as long as you don't actually pass out walking from your car to the water, you're probably good to go. once i have my suit on and stop thinking about how tight the neck seal is, i pretty much don't notice it again ... until the next time i put it on ...
4. what bob said again. i'd have a tough time getting my hands through the wrist seals without the generous use of powder every time. but then again, i have really small wrists.
btw, i found out that after you get your suit on, it really helps get your hood on if you use some leave-in (or regular) conditioner on your hair. doesn't have to be wet or saturated; just really helps that neoprene slide over your hair without pulling your hair out (and/or making nasty knots). my boyfriend has short hair, but i think he's a bit tender-headed because he loves the conditioner too. (he used to just dunk his head in the sound before i learned about the conditioner trick!)
and ... here's a helpful hint for the ever-fogging mask. (i've tried all of the other nonsense - two brands of special anti-fogging drops, toothpaste, cursing and whining, etc.) the following ritual works for me 9 times out of 10: i spit in both lenses quite generously when i start getting my rig ready and suited up and i leave it be until i'm headed for the water. when i get to the water i do it again and quickly do one rinse ... then i dunk my face quickly into the water and wipe my eyes off with my gloves ... then i put on my goggles. and voila - finally ... no fog!!!