O'Neill Youth Reactor 2mm Back Zip Spring Wetsuit

This was the best of six suits we tried for my seven year old son. He's 48" tall and weighs 48 pounds, so he's a very skinny, lanky little dude. Summary of the wetsuits we tried on: * Henderson 3mm Thermoprene shorty - size 4 - had high hopes for this one, based on the high quality stretch material and taped seams. But it was way too big, especially in the legs. It also buckled out a bit under the arms and in the chest. * O'Neill Reactor toddler spring suit - size 4 - almost as nice as the Youth Reactor, but the Youth has a better neck seal. And the Youth has a slightly thicker material for the "smooth skin chest panel" which is really super. The toddler version would have saved us $15 bucks, and was awfully close, so, you can't go wrong either way * NeoSport Wetsuits Youth Premium Neoprene 2mm Youth's Shorty - size 4 - too big in the legs * NeoSport Wetsuits Infant/Toddler Premium Neoprene 2mm Youth's Swim Suit - not what I expected. Has fabric arms and shoulders, and I was looking for full neoprene shorty. * Hyperflex Wetsuits Children's Access Spring Suit - size 4 - Surprisingly nice and fit really well. I was torn between this one and the Youth Reactor. If money is tight, go for the Hyperflex; it fit really well, and costs about half of the O'Neill. In the end we went with the Youth Reactor because the material is thicker than the Hyperflex, and the neck seal is better. * O'Neill Youth Reactor 2mm Spring Suit (this one) - size 4 - the best of the bunch. Fit fantastic everywhere. The arms have just a tough too much girth (let in a little water), but not much, and it's not surprising, as my son has really skinny arms. The legs fit great. The neck seal is fantastic. The zipper is super beefy and high quality. The material seemed just a bit thicker (read: warmer) than all the other suits we tried. The fit through the torso had that "glued-on" look you want in a wetsuit. (You don't want water sloshing around under your suit, or in and out, as then it's not as warm).Before getting the wetsuit, my son could only get through half of his swim lesson at the Y before getting out, blue and shivering. With this suit he goes in before class, does the full 45 minute class, then plays in the water another hour after that. We generally get out now because the parents get tired.

I have ordered these wetsuits for my grandchildren for the last few years. Bought this in a size 12 for my grandson who is 10 y/o. Last year (summer), he wore a size 8 which became too snug for him, so I ordered a size 10 this year thinking it would fit him; but it was too tight. The size 12 fits him perfectly. My grandson does weigh a little more than the average 10 year old. If he were slim, a size 10 would have fit him for sure, I think. His sister, who is 11 and very slim, fits well in a size 10. Am pleased with my purchase. These wetsuits are very durable, hold up very well and keep my grandchildren warm when swimming at the beaches in Southern California.

My 7 yo son was going to quit swim lessons because he moved up to the cold lap pool and would freeze and turn purple. His instructor recommended a tight fitting swim shirt. I went home and started researching wet suits. The reviews on this were so helpful. My son LOVES it! I was worried he wouldn't like it because he doesn't like how some things feel. He wanted to try it out in the bathtub and loved it. He actually said in the pool it's too warm, but I think it works wonderfully. His instructor was impressed by how much better he swam with it and after getting the wet suit he is moving up to the next level! He is quite thin, 48" and almost 50 lbs and the size 4 fits perfect. I actually bought the 6 as well for when he outgrows the 4. He is not bothered by the neck. It is well worth the money!

About O'Neill spring Suit 'Reactor"Its a top quality product. My son is using this almost every week since the end of November 2012 still it is in great shape. Only thing is the blue area fades off in 3 to 4 wears only, but its quality is still good. If you can get an all black suit then maybe the color won't fade. He does not shiver when he is out of the water. The wetsuit keeps him dry and warm.My son turned six in JAN but I took size 8 for him. The suit has a little room but at the arms and thighs it snugs so there is no space for the water to go inside the suit.We also have a Size 6 this is a perfect size for him right now but he is a little uncomfortable in size 6. Size 6 is good for our 4 year old.WHY I HAD TO TAKE WETSUITSMy kids do not have health problems as such (touch wood). But just the normal cold, cough or fever once in a blue moon. But 2012 early winter was very bad for our older kid. and ya, we live in the state of Pennsylvania. VARY COLD winters.He had swim class twice a week. One class he would attend by the end of that day use to have cold, cough, fever, vomiting and worst had uneasy breath. Took 7 to 10 days to recover then attend one swim class again and this whole cycle repeated for almost two months.The doctor diagnosed and said he has bronchitis.Even prescribed an inhaler. I didn't want him to become a dependent of it. so started looking out for alternatives. And came up with my To-Do list....1) replace his swimwear to wetsuit2) Dry him off completely from head to toe3) Cover him properly this again from head to toe (Proper shoes and socks)4) wait in the lobby for sometime atleast till his body temperature comes back to normal before coming out in the cold weather.And now his health is back to normal (touch wood) No cold, No cough, and most important is No Inhaler. I will follow my To-Do list and I am sure he will not have such problem again.......so why a wetsuit???The problem is not the water 'cos the pool was warm but when he is out of it like say, when he has to walk from one pool to another or from the pool to the locker room or even when he had to reach out to his bath robe after his swim he feels very cold and that chill effected his health. So 'A WETSUIT' to keep him warm. Trust me this really keeps him warm 'cos in the month of March,to one of his classes I put him in an ordinary swimwear (rash guard and swim shorts) and he was shivering with cold whenever he was out of pool. In wetsuit he is back to normal again.

This has made a huge difference for our grandson. He can stay in the water for much longer without getting cold.