Who's your wetsuit?
Buying a wetsuit is a big commitment, not only in cash but in physical demands. For those that don't own a wetsuit or having tried being fit for one; well if you're a guy just imagine what a bride goes through picking out a dress and if your a lady and you've been married...you understand.
I didn't have much problem buying my wetsuit, I bought it online and it fit just right. I did call the shop just to make sure it would fit.
I have known several triathletes who have gone through several wetsuits; some because they didn't fit right, some from chaffing around the neck, others just because they had a sleeveless and wanted sleeves.
I think answering some questions about your suit will help others in their decision to change, upgrade or buy their own.
So the question's of the day are: What wetsuit do you currently wear? How many did you try on before choosing? Which brands have you worn in the past? Ever had a chaffing or rubbing issue with your suit?
posted by Comm's @ 7:50 AM
10 comments
10 Comments:
i just bought my very own wetsuit a couple of weeks ago so i didn't have to keep borrowing my friends. mine's a Zoot. i love it. it's got the long sleeves because i hate being cold... and here it's more likely that you'll be in cold water than warm.
i understand the difference between orca and zoot (for women, anyway) is that orca is built for a more muscular woman, while the zoot is for the regular gals.
I bought my first and only wetsuit earlier this year on line. It is a Promotion suit and I bought it after reading a great review for the company and it products. I did email the company back and forth several times to resolve questions on sizing and fit. The suit arrived and with some greasing up with Bodyglide, I have had absolutely no chaffing or any other issues. I am very happy with it. (Now if I could just figure how to get the dang thing off a bit quicker in T1, I would be one happy camper).
I didn't know that difference Nytro thanks.
My training partner, Hardcore, has a Pro Motion and he likes his too. I do like that it has zippers on the ankle for entry/exit and that they have bright green panels on top, his at least. Very easy to see in the water. I will try this on when I need another suit in the future.
1) What wetsuit do you currently wear?
I wear a ProMotion Fluid Drive II with full sleeves. They are a local company in a beautiful little town in the Columbia River Gorge. I drove up there and got fitted and bought it on-site.
2) How many did you try on before choosing?
0
Which brands have you worn in the past?
No others.
Ever had a chaffing or rubbing issue with your suit?
Nope. It fits well, is adjustable around the neck and has zippers at the ankles to help ease entry and removal.
I think for the money ProMotion is one of the best values going.
What wetsuit do you currently wear?
I'm wearing the DeSoto T1 wetsuit. I have the bibjohn and both a full sleeve and sleeveless top.
How many did you try on before choosing? Which brands have you worn in the past?
Two. An Ironman VO2 stealth and a QR (don't remember the particular model).
Ever had any chaffing or rubbing issue with your suit?
Nope. There is no zipper that comes near the neck so that eliminates a big problem area for wetsuits.
I really like the fact that the DeSoto suit is a two piece suit. Folks aren't made in all the same sizes, lengths or widths. Having a two piece design not only lets you choose "custom" sizes for top and bottom but also allows there to be overlap in the middle if you're a little shorter or a little taller. With the one piece wetsuits that I've tried, reaching out and staying extended causes there to be pull at the waist as the material is solid from top to bottom. But with a top piece design, the top and move freely and independently from the bottoms so there isn't any pulling like in a one piece. I also think that helps alleviate excess shoulder fatigue.
In any case, DeSoto has what I think is *THE BEST* customer service in the triathlon clothing market. You can email them directly and you'll likely hear back from Emilio himself. They have a 14 day try before you buy policy, so if anyone is in the market for one it can't hurt to give it a try.
That reminds me...I should probably try on the wetsuit that came in the mail 2 weeks ago. Better yet, with only 19 days left to go...I should probably swim in the darn thing. I found an Orca speedsuit for $99. It better fit.
A QR sleeveless, one, none, and yes, I chaffe. Mostly in my armpit area. I've tried the race glides with little success. I think my biggest problem is that I have lost a lot of weight, and the suit doesn't fit quite as snug anymore. Might be time for a new one, but I will never part with the money. Hope this helps.
Benny
DeSoto T1 long sleeve. Pretty much Ditto what Chris said above. The suit is fast and comfortable.
-Paul
Orca Apex. I did some research ahead of time (including an article in Triathlete mag) that recommended this suit for my body type and skill level.
Only surprise for me, was that I was supposed to be in a size 6 by their chart, and ended up in a 4!
You really need to try them on. They kept putting me down a size until I said uncle.
Hey Comm, I'm a bit late in answering, but for the record:
I currently have an Orca Speedsuit. I have tried Nineteen Triathlon Riptide and Nineteen Triathlon Pipeline suits. The most comfortable suit was the Riptide. (Nineteen is a Canadian company, but I think they have good penetration in the US).
From what I've seen/read most people don't know how to properly wear a wetsuit - I've been professionally fitted a few times, and I'm always suprised at how tight they (the fitters) want the suit to be on you, and how "pulled up" they want it to be on the arms, shoulders, legs and thighs... often referred to as "The Neoprene Wedgie".
My suit seemed far too tight when I tried it on in the store. But of course, it does loosen up on you in the water -- and I bought mine in the evening, where my body is supposedly at it's "puffiest". Most swims are in the morning, when the body is at its leanest.
For the record, I'm 5'10, 165, average build, and use an Orca 6.5 and Nineteen Medium-Small.
For a while, I was convinced my suit was slow. I had an opportunity to test it "head-to-head" with another (see this post).
Someone wisely pointed out to me that a "better" wetsuit might save me a couple of seconds per 100 eters at most.
The ProMotion suits talked about earlier - although a bit flashy for my tastes - do have a feature that I think is beneficial to weaker swimmers - that being the ability to see the position of your arms as you swim - something that would help keep you straight and more efficient.
I've also heard testimony that Ironman suits, have innovative back panels that help keep you cooler in warmer weather. This seems like a worthwhile feature.
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