Wetsuit questions

[doublej079]

I just completed my second tri, and I am considering buying a wetsuit. Ok, not considering, I am buying a wetsuit. I just want to know if anyone has any tips on whether I should buy a sleeveless or long-sleeved wetsuit? Is there a huge benefit to one or the other? I don't plan on doing a bunch of cold water swims, but maybe I need the long sleeves?

To clarify why I need the wetsuit, I am competing in one more tri this season (i am also focusing on marathons, so I'm stretched a little thin) and then next summer I'll do hopefully three in training and preparation for a half Ironman in 2011 (in Hawaii!!). I am really confused about the whole thing and concerned that I will spend a lot of money on the wrong thing.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[drdwin]

I own a few wetsuits however for different reasons than your are looking for but I'll put in my 2 cents - it may be helpful. I use my wetsuits for water skiing - I live in NE PA so needless to say the water gets COLD here. I have a full wetsuit, shorty, and a drysuit for when it's really cold (I've been skiing when the ice begins to form on the lake) - personally I don't use the full wetsuit at all because I find it way too constricting with very little added warmth. As long as my trunk is warm I'm fine.

[HillSlugger]

I'm a real wimp about water temps and have a full wetsuit. I don't find it restricting and I've worn it in up to almost 78 degree water. I did start getting warm, but not too bad. btw, I also use a neoprene hoodie and booties when it's particularly cold.

[Wetsuit Rental]

You can buy neoprene arm warmers. If you had a sleeveless wetsuit (which will be less expensive to buy than a fullsuit), you could spring for the arm warmers only if and when you were doing a cold water swim.

[KSH]

I WISH I had bought a sleeveless wetsuit. I won't even swim in my wetsuit with sleeves... I hate it. I really need to sell it and get some money back on it.

The sleeveless was great because it was I didn't even have one on. I won't be swimming in 50 degree water, so a sleeveless is fine.

I swam 3 miles in a sleevless wetsuit and it was fine. No issues to speak of.

Arm warmers- very cool idea.

[sgf726]

Any thoughts on where the recommended temperature cut-off would be for sleeveless vs. not?

I am also thinking of buying a wetsuit too, I borrowed a shortie for my tri last month the water temp was mid 60's and I was comfortable. I am leaning towards a sleeveless as I don't expect to swim in water less than about 60 deg. and I tend to get really warm.

Thanks!
Sharon

[ginny]

I live in the cold part of the country, but I used to live in Fl. Even in the south, when I would scuba dive, I would wear a full suit. I think it's a surface area thing. My dbf doesn't like the full suit so much, but he needs it here, but he's much stockier than I am. I get cold in a/c; I spend a good deal of my time trying to get warm. Water is a good wicker of heat from your body. So maybe that will help with the selection. I know lots of people aren't big fans, but you could rent both and make a decision from there. Keep in mind that better tri suits are much nicer to swim in (full) than cheaper ones or ones made for other sports (or so they say). ;)

[colby]

Any thoughts on where the recommended temperature cut-off would be for sleeveless vs. not?

I am also thinking of buying a wetsuit too, I borrowed a shortie for my tri last month the water temp was mid 60's and I was comfortable. I am leaning towards a sleeveless as I don't expect to swim in water less than about 60 deg. and I tend to get really warm.

I think it's a combination of temperature, distance, and your comfort level. Given that you're comfortable in cold water even without a full suit, it might come down to distances (more than a mile? less than a mile?).

I also saw the neoprene arm warmers on tri3sports.com and was definitely intrigued. It seemed like a good way to extend a sleeveless suit for a longer or colder swim where your arms might get cold. You can also wear a neoprene cap (or multiple caps) which will help insulate - a LOT of body heat is lost through your head.

I bought a full suit second-hand before I knew what I would really want but I knew I would need something. It got me through two Ironman races (so far) where the water temperature was first 58-59 and the next year around 63-64. The only reason I'm buying a sleeveless suit is that I can't take the full suit in warmer temperatures (when you acclimate with the full suit to a 60 degree or colder swim then take it in 70+ degree water, you are roasting!!) and I want something for swimming olympic-distance and longer rather than just my tri clothes alone (depending on ease of getting on and off and how much I care about a faster swim I may wear it for sprints, too).

Anyway... I think you know what's best for you. Sleeveless suits are also more inexpensive, so it might be a good way to get into a wetsuit, see how it feels, and decide if you want to buy a fullsuit or not. Some websites do let you have one free swim in a new suit (don't injure or get bodyglide on it) to see if it works for you - KSH turned me on to tri3sports and I opted to go with them because of their selection and one free swim option. Some places also sell used rental suits, which is another good way to get in a new suit cheap when you aren't quite sure what you want.

Since we're on the topic, if anyone is interested, there's a coupon for the xterra vortex 3 full or sleeveless on their website - 50% off and no sales tax - use coupon code SAVE during checkout. :) I ended up starting with another brand to try the short person sizing, but this is a pretty good deal. I paid more for my second hand suit than a new one of these.