Shrink a stretched-out vest?

[Slalom.Steve]

I've been using an O'Neill Slasher vest for about 2 years. Really like it, but as vests do, it's stretched a bit and now when I'm sitting in the water it rides up. Can I wash it in hot water to shrink it down like a cotton tshirt, or will that damage it?

[Horton]

drink a lot of beer

[swc5150]

The only thing that I've ever seen work is having a vest sit all winter.

[Stevie Boy]

I wonder how many people buy a vest because it fits nice in the shop or because it is what they think there size is.

I buy a vest that I can barely do up or even have to immerse in water to get it on , after a few sets , nice snug fit.

So buy smaller or follow @Hortons advice.

[Slalom.Steve]

It was very tight when I bought it, it's taken two years to stretch out and it's still not terrible, just wondering if I can improve it. For reference, I'm 5'10", 160lbs and I use a Small.

[Stevie Boy]

@SlalomSteve I have a suggestion for you , maybe take it to somebody that can carry out a nip and tuck on the vest.

[BraceMaker]

Keep it for winter. Get a heater top or wetsuit to ful the gap.

 

Buy a smaller summer vest

[thager]

Put two holes in the neoprene near the zipper 1/2 inch from bottom with a hole punch. Tie your shorts string through those holes to help keep the vest down. You see this feature used by a lot of manufacturers with their vests.

[FSSPCat]

Hate to say it, but you’re looking at either a new vest or gaining weight. Every time you get it wet, it’s going to expand.

[Rednucleus]

Sell/give it to a bigger friend and go shopping!

[Minelickskier]

Ya gotta love these responses! Lolol

[MDB1056]

I always have a bigger size to use over wetsuits for spring and fall.