Wetsuits: Long sleeve or sleeveless?

[Veronica]

I'm contemplating a wetsuit purchase. One event says the water is about 70 degrees. For my other event it is 74 - 76 degrees.

I'm leaning towards sleeveless, since it seems like it would be easier to get on and off.

V.

[Wahine]

Sleeveless is definitely a little easier in transition. They are also cheaper and plenty warm enough for that swim. You used to hear people say that it was also better for flexibility but I don't think that really applies anymore with the advances in neoprene technology. With all that said, if you're thinking of doing anything in colder water some time... like Alcatraz.... get a full sleeve. There's no point in having 2 because the advantages of the sleeveless over the sleeved for warmer water do not out weigh the cost of buying 2 wetsuits.

[kelownagirl]

A friend told me you're a lot more buoyant in a wetsuit with sleeves as well. I have no idea personally though.

[Wahine]

That is true and it's a huge advantage to people who are not strong swimmers.

[kelownagirl]

That is true and it's a huge advantage to people who are not strong swimmers.

That'd be me. But probably not Veronica.

[jesvetmed]

Veronica.. Search under the thread "Sleeves or No"... that was my question a couple months ago, and there is a long discussion and suggestions from everyone there. I don't know how to link you to it or I would... showing my ignorance about working online!

Jes

[Veronica]

Thanks... I had actually read your thread.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...hlight=sleeves

I didn't feel like I could make a decision from the replies in your thread, because my events are warmer.

I really didn't want to bother with a wetsuit at all. It seems like an extra complication. Frankly, getting one because it "will make you faster" sounds a little like cheating in my mind. I know the rules say you can use one...
But, 70 degrees seemed just a little too cold for a 1.5 K swim.

I may not use it for the second event, depends on how much of a hassle it is to get on and off and whether or not the water is 74 or 76!

I ordered one from REI yesterday. I can return it if it doesn't fit.

V.

[Veronica]

Oh Wahine...

I went and looked at Alcatraz because I am enjoying the training and I thought, "Hey, why not..."

It's such a big event, you have to qualify to go and that just seems like too much work and way too serious.

V.

[NJBikeGal]

I don't know about the experiences of others, but I would recommend sleeveless. I found that wetsuits with sleeves were difficult for me to swim in. It was a lot more difficult to rotate my shoulder with all that extra material around it and after a very short swim in a full suit, my shoulders were KILLING me! Now, this could have just been poor fit, or my own personal issue...but that's my .02!

[jesvetmed]

V: My friend did Alcatraz.... BRRR BRRR BRRR.... that's what he remembers! VERY cold waters!

[tabbs]

I am going with full. The more boyancy the better!

[Veronica]

I did my first swim in my wetsuit the other day. 1000 yards in 17:20, about 1:43/100.

Compare to a mile that I did two weeks ago in 31:30, about 1:50/100. I did both swims with about the same average HR, 149 for the mile, 145 for the 1000. (My husband would say, "You're not working hard enough , pal.") I don't plan on doing my swim much harder than that. It is my strongest leg and I need to save as much for the run as I can.

The wetsuit will save me 2 minutes on the swim, but how long will it take me to get the darn thing off?

V.

[HillSlugger]

I did my first swim in my wetsuit the other day. 1000 yards in 17:20, about 1:43/100.

Compare to a mile that I did two weeks ago in 31:30, about 1:50/100. I did both swims with about the same average HR, 149 for the mile, 145 for the 1000. (My husband would say, "You're not working hard enough , pal.") I don't plan on doing my swim much harder than that. It is my strongest leg and I need to save as much for the run as I can.

The wetsuit will save me 2 minutes on the swim, but how long will it take me to get the darn thing off?

V.

Far less than 2 minutes! Start getting your arms out while you run to transition.