Wetsuit poll

[extra-vert]

Just curious, it seems that even in southern california in the summer months, those doing triathlons are almost always wearing these full body wetsuits. I would think that would be more cumbersome, but evidently not?? Do you prefer wetsuits and why? Do you actually prefer the full sleeved versions? Any particular brands? Finally, (if your a serial triathlete do you insist upon a category 5 or high end wetsuit, or is a 2-3 more than suitable?

[Veronica]

My initial wetsuit purchase was before my first HIM in 2008. I'm a good swimmer, so was not at all concerned with buoyancy or the wetsuit making me faster. I got a fairly inexpensive Zoot, sleeveless wetsuit using my REI 20% coupon.

I have now picked my next suit - a full sleeve Blue Seventy Helix. I'll get it as soon as I get a trisports coupon again. TE has them, but doesn't have my size.

Why that suit? I picked Blue Seventy because they sponsor one of my favorite pros. I'm going with the best of the brand because I can afford it and I've been doing this long enough and like it enough, that's it's not just a whim. Why full sleeve - because I've frozen my azz off enough. Seriously, I thought I was going to freeze to death at World's Toughest Half last year. And Angel's Camp was pretty cold this year. I didn't even go to the Oly I was suppose to do on Sunday because I thought it was too cold. I'll freely admit, I'm cold adverse.

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

I *love* my wetsuit! I have a sleeveless one from Xterra. Got it for under $100.
I'm faster with it on, it keeps my legs in the correct position and I barely have to kick. I'm a good swimmer so I don't need the buoyancy to help me feel comfortable, but those who need the extra flotation love it for that reason, too. Love, love, love that thing!!

Never wore a full suit- never will. I get overheated easily, and know that a full suit would not be very good for me- plus our lakes are only wetsuit legal in the early season and late season- so a full wetsuit wouldn't be as practical.

[extra-vert]

Thanks girls, I too would imagine I would prefer sleeveless, but then again I've yet to even try my first tri! Talk about cart before the horse! Veronica did you do the "Escape" tri? I've just moved away from the bay area. I'm now in the OC.

[Veronica]

Thanks girls, I too would imagine I would prefer sleeveless, but then again I've yet to even try my first tri! Talk about cart before the horse! Veronica did you do the "Escape" tri? I've just moved away from the bay area. I'm now in the OC.

Nope! The bay is too cold!

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

I bought my first wetsuit on eBay for $15. It was black neoprene with pink and purple stripes down one side (niiiiicceeee 80's throwback). I used that suit for 2 years until I was certain that I was committed to the sport.

New neoprene is so much more flexible and comfortable. If I'd known then that I could get a new one for under $100, I wouldn't have been such a cheapskate.

[sgf726]

Hi,
I also have the Xterra Sleevless Vortex 3, $99. The water can be cool here early season but it warms up fairly quickly so didn't think I needed a full-sleeved as I don't swim OW until its in the 60's and get warm fairly quickly.

I'm not a fast swimmer and like that it gives me an extra level of security and more bouyancy for the legs as tri-girl mentioned. Once you get used to it they come of fairly easy (lots of super-glide on the feet) so doesn't take much time in transition. Around here 90% of people where wetsuits for tris so not much of a disadvantage and the water rarely gets warm enough for it not to be a wetsuit legal race.

[GLC1968]

Another Xterra owner here. I wore a Vortex 3 sleeveless for my first season ($99 deal!) and it was great. I've lost enough weight that I could justify a new suit for season 2, so I went with another Xterra and got the Vector Pro x2 (also sleeveless). LOVE the new suit. I got a deal on it ($200) and it is definitely worth the $100 upgrade from the Vortex 3. The neoprene is more flexible, the suit is more articulated around my joints and my waist and it fits like a super tight glove. I've only worn it once so far, (second time is tonight), but I was impressed.

Around here, a wetsuit is a necessity. Early tri's have water temps well below 60F some years (like this year!). Our water doesn't get all that warm either, so a wetsuit will remain legal for the entire season at most venues. Since I overheat easily, I stuck with sleeveless so that I could still bear to wear it in water approaching 72F. I suffer a bit at 55F, but I survive.

[Bike Chick]

I have the Xterra Vortex 3 as well and love it. I bought the full-sleeved version first and it works great. There is plenty of room in the neck and shoulders. The water temp was marginal for Memphis in May and DH talked me into ordering a sleeveless version as well, which I'm glad I did. I still had the bouyancy of the wetsuit but didn't burn up in the full sleeve. We start practicing open water swims early around here so I'm glad that I now have both. I don't think you can go wrong with the Xterra.

[colby]

I wear my sleeveless for most races, unless I am feeling super strong about my swimming. For long and possibly cold races, I wear sleeves. I just can't see wearing sleeves for short races unless it's really cold, it's a PITA to get on and off in comparison to the short sleeves.

Some of the water in southern CA isn't super warm, 60s. That's kind of on the border for a lot of people. In late summer, though, in the 70s? No sleeves thanks. But then, I am in the PNW, and have pretty good circulation (I guess?). I have worn my sleeveless wetsuit in an olympic distance race where the water was around 55, that was probably too cold. Some people do chafe more in saltwater, too, that might be another reason for sleeves. For training, I could see wearing sleeves more often, especially if your target race meant wearing sleeves.

[GLC1968]

I have worn my sleeveless wetsuit in an olympic distance race where the water was around 55, that was probably too cold.

Crap, really?

I'm racing at Pac Crest next weekend and the water temp probably won't even be at 55F. It'll be my first OLY and I'll likely be in the water for a long time because I am not a fast swimmer. Will I be in trouble in a sleeveless wetsuit? I know that I can handle 55F for about 45 minutes in sleeveless - longer than that or colder than that all I'll be in totally new territory.

[colby]

Crap, really?

I'm racing at Pac Crest next weekend and the water temp probably won't even be at 55F. It'll be my first OLY and I'll likely be in the water for a long time because I am not a fast swimmer. Will I be in trouble in a sleeveless wetsuit? I know that I can handle 55F for about 45 minutes in sleeveless - longer than that or colder than that all I'll be in totally new territory.

If you know you can handle it, don't worry about it. I'd say it was on the edge of the appropriate distance for sleeveless at that temperature. It might have been a couple of degrees colder, even. It was cold enough my ears and head hurt.

You should be okay at 45 minutes if you've done that already. Stay confident!

[GLC1968]

You should be okay at 45 minutes if you've done that already. Stay confident!

I'll get a chance to swim in the venue the day before, so I'll evaluate then. My concern is that the water will be significantly colder than 55F!

Heh - never mind...I just found a report. Water temp in the Deschutes below the resevior is currently at 13.4C and it's come up 1.4 degrees C in just the past week, so it should be good by next weekend. Yay!

[colby]

I'll get a chance to swim in the venue the day before, so I'll evaluate then. My concern is that the water will be significantly colder than 55F!

Heh - never mind...I just found a report. Water temp in the Deschutes below the resevior is currently at 13.4C and it's come up 1.4 degrees C in just the past week, so it should be good by next weekend. Yay!

Hooray!!!

It is supposed to be nicer this weekend, so hopefully you'll get a warm day for the day before to keep it warm.

[Susie Derkins]

I don't own one, and so far, don't feel tempted. I've grown up as an athlete doing open water swimming, so I actually prefer the unencumbered feeling of swimming without one. Makes transitions faster/easier, and saves me money!