Wetsuit quality- which is right?

[trickytiger]

After some trial and error, I've found that the Zoot wetsuits fit me pretty well- I have had some issues given that my height (5'8) puts me in their "large" category, but my weight puts me somewhere inbetween the small and medium category... I finally figured out that my very short torso means that wetsuit-wise, a medium fits throughout the body and I just have a little more of a "capri" and "3/4 sleeve" effect going on, which is fine.

I have access to the suits at wholesale pricing, due to my job. Therefore, they are all pretty affordable, to a degree. However, swimming is my weakest link, and I'm pretty sure more time in the water will benefit me way more than a flashy wetsuit design. Plus, I'm saving for impending grad school costs (sports keep me sane).

Question: Will I notice the difference between the basic model (Fusion) and the more expensive Synergy? Is spending an extra $50 worth it?

[HillSlugger]

I can't answer your question, but I have the opposite problem: I'm too short for my weight!

[roadie gal]

Can you talk to a rep and maybe try both suits to see? I know of at least one company that will give you a refund for an unused suit that doesn't fit right (Promotion).

[Trigress]

I suppose it depends on what the difference between the two is? I bought the top of the range Blue Seventy a few years back, and the reason for that was that I thought it might be worth getting that thinner neoprene around the arms. I hate swimming in a wetsuit (although I love mine), because I feel that the suit restrains my natural swimming movements (maybe I just swim strangely), and so I decided on the more expensive version due to its supposedly more flexible fit. You should take a look at what differentiates them, and then decide whether it's a feature that is important to you.