Sleeves or No?

[jesvetmed]

OK... taking a poll and asking for suggestions.
I've been wetsuit shopping online. My gut instinct says get a sleeveless wetsuit for tri training and racing. But how does everyone else see this question?

I live in the Pacific Northwest. I think our water temps typically range from 50-65 at any given time. I have a 1/2 mile swim in my first tri, and probably a 1/4 mile in my second one this season. I did a sprint last year and I was COLD but made it without a wetsuit. But I don't think I'd do it again without one!

Any bad feelings or really positive ones about a specific brand?
Thanks for any feedback!
Jes

[KSH]

Hello!

Well, I say if the water is cold enough for a wetsuit... then it's cold enough for sleeves on the wetsuit. That's just me. I HATE COLD WATER.

As far as wetsuits go... it's all about fit. Someone can tell you that Zoot makes a great wetsuit, but if you can't fit into it properly, then forget it.

Otherwise, I bought and tried out like 4 different brands. I have to say the Desoto 2-pieces impressed me the LEAST. So many people love them, but compared to the other ones I had tried, it was the worst material wise.

[Grog]

Most people I know who swim open water in B.C. (I don't!!) have long-sleeved wetsuits...

These are photos of a recent Vancouver Triathlon (sept 07):
http://www.pbase.com/markcreery/vancouvertri07

You'll find some sleeveless racers, but most people, including the leaders, wear sleeves it seems.

Perhaps you'd make it with a sleeveless, but you'll get more versatility out of a longsleeved I think...

[rocknrollgirl]

Our water is not nearly that cold and I have sleeves. I vote sleeves.

[roadie gal]

Besides keeping you warmer, the full sleeved suits actually make you faster. It's been shown a bunch of times. I think Slowtwitch has some articles about it.

On the other hand, I found full sleeved suits claustrophobic. So I wear a sleeveless.

I have a Promotion suit. In most reviews and articles they rate pretty highly, but are MUCH cheaper than a lot of "big name" suits.

[KSH]

On the other hand, I found full sleeved suits claustrophobic. So I wear a sleeveless.

See, I can't breathe when I have mine on, and it seems to me that it comes from the chest portion of the wetsuit.

When I get into the water the wetsuit tightens around my chest and I feel like I can't breathe.

The sleeves don't have anything to do for me when it comes to feeling like I'm being squeezed to death.