Wow Susan, good info. You rock.

Quote Originally Posted by Susan the Smarty
Full vs longjohn (or shorties): You will swim faster in a full suit. If you care about this, buy the full.
I assume by full, you mean full length legs and arms? Or just full length legs, regardless of arms? (I need to do more research -- I do like the sound of shoulder support)

I admit, I'm a little concerned about changing out of a wetsuit, but I do intend to do triathlons for a while which may make the full wetsuit really earn its keep. Plus, it eliminates the whole cold water thing. I have a lot of temperature tolerance, but I want to do what's right for my body.

Super stupid question: in a triathlon, do you wear anything UNDER the wetsuit, or do you really have to go into a changing area after the swim? With a tri suit, you'd avoid the changing time, but I'm really not competing to win, I'm "competing" for myself -- and, I would like to build up to the grandmommy of all triathlons someday, which really seems like wetsuit territory anyway.

I really appreciate the advice about the "feminine" style. I definitely have "womanly" parts that would probably not appreciate being squished into a "manly" style How do I even approach sizing? Should I find someplace that I can try anything on and see how it fits, or will that even apply to different manufacturers? Womens clothes vary SO much in their sizing that I'm afraid to make such a major purchase and have it NOT fit or be comfortable (don't get me started on unisex sizing).

Thanks everyone for your help. It is satiating my thirst for input!