Total Posts: 19
1.8 Years Ago

Total Posts: 349
1.8 Years Ago

There's a good article on Active.com about wetsuit puchasing: http://active.com/story.cfm?story_id=13600&sidebar=26&category=triathlon

The current Triathlete Magazine has a great article on the various wetsuit offerings from a wide variety of manufacturers, that would probably be the best starting point if you want to compare brands.

I would strongly recommend actually swimming in a wetsuit before purchasing it. Suits that feel comfortable in the store can feel very different when you get in the water.

Finally, I now have a Zoot and I love it. I tried about twelve different wetsuits last year and that was by far the best fit for me (and also the cheapest, which was nice too!).

Total Posts: 459
1.7 Years Ago

I've been reading the old posts about wetsuits here. Good advice. I'm looking to purchase my first wetsuit for my second season of racing. I wasn't going to bother this year, but seeing as how my first race is a 1/2 IM (last year I did only sprints), I think the bouyancy would do me well.

My biggest questions are:

1) What are suits I should consider - Zoot, Ironman, QR, more?

2) How best to try on a number of them and find the one I like..order online, physical store?

Also, we have 24 inches of new snow here in MN and it won't dissappear until maybe April. My 1/2 IM is in June so there isn't a big window for testing a suit. :(

Thanks,

Greg

Total Posts: 667
1.7 Years Ago

What Half IM are you competing in?

As far as question #1, that is going to depend on your budget. If you can find an older year model then you can save some $$. Besides that they are pretty much all the same except maybe a few little options but either way you are going to float. Biggest factor, as stated in the other post is fit. Regarding question #2, the sizing charts for the manufacturers are pretty close. Friends of mine usually order 3 and send back 2. They get the one they think should fit and also order a size larger and a size smaller. This usually works but just make sure they have a 100% refund return policy.

You don't need that much time to test a suit. If you can swim the distance in the pool without the suit, then all you really need is a couple weeks in the suit to get a feel for it. The suit will feel restrictive but if you just swim and don't worry about it, then you will be fine. I don't think I have ever trained for the distance in the suit. Usually I have a couple training sessions leading up to the race but at shorter distances. Again, to just get a feel for the suit and how it effects my stroke. Basically, you just get out there and do it.

Along with the bouyancy, you will go A LOT faster with little effort. I love the suit and it loves me!!!

Jim

P.S. Two main fitting points (may have been mentioned in the Active article) is under the arms and in the groin. It needs to be nice and tight in those two areas. Oh yeah, you also want to make sure the top around the neck doesn't sag open and act like a brake. This also is something that folks have an issue with because they feel like it is choking them. Make sure you BodyGlide around the neck and any other rubbing areas. I have a scar on the back of my neck where the velcro rubbed a nice little burn area. Stung the rest of the race so again Glide Glide and Glide some more.

Total Posts: 349
1.7 Years Ago

Ordering online can be tricky because what looks like it should fit on a size chart doesn't always work out. Last year I ended up in a size smaller suit than the size charts indicated should fit for pretty much every brand I tried.

I was lucky in that a locally-based online retailer (trigeeks.ca) would do "house calls" for prospective wetsuit buyers. The owner brought a number of sample suits in my size to a pool so I could try them on for fit and see what they felt like to swim in. It would be worth checking out if there are any retailers offering a similar service in your area. Otherwise I'd recommend going into a physical store and trying them on.

Also, because getting into a properly fitting suit can be exhausting I would suggest trying on only about three suits in a session.

As to which brand is best, I've only swum in two - O'Neill (which fit poorly, more of a bad purchasing decision than a bad suit) and my Zoot, which I love - so I can't provide much advice there.

Total Posts: 459
1.7 Years Ago

While the wetsuit appears to add buoyancy, this is ridiculous. Does any manufacturer of wetsuits build in venting to release unwanted gas?

[+] enlarge

Total Posts: 19
1.7 Years Ago

Total Posts: 459
1.7 Years Ago

Glad to hear you found a wetsuit you liked. What was the brand you ended up with? Did you go with or without sleeves? Did the endless pool effectively simulate the swim. (cool by the way..I have never heard of an endless pool in a store).

Greg

Total Posts: 19
1.7 Years Ago

It is a Profile Design by Aquaman, Bionik (model). The endless pool was a pretty neat experience. They use it to teach swim stroke. There are mirrors around you to "watch" yourself swim through the water. At first the endless pool seemed too easy (similar to running on a treadmill with no incline) however, when I swam in the lake with the wetsuit the feeling was just as easy. I wish i did the endless pool sans wetsuit to get a better feel but, next time!

Total Posts: 459
1.7 Years Ago

Greg

Total Posts: 459
1.7 Years Ago

I purchased the Quinta Roo "true to the tri" hydrofull wetsuit. I could find no place to try them out at no cost or without stocking fees. So, I turned once again to my trusted advisors at the local tri shop.

The QR fits like a glove out of the water. Easy on and easy off (quick release zipper) w/ no glide. I imagine it will be a nice fit in the water. The water temps are quite frigid, but I'll give it a test run here shortly.

I feel my newbie status starting to diminish. Ha.

Greg

Oh yea....... I also upgraded my shoes and pedals to the speedplay pedals. New season and some new gear. Now my times HAVE to get better.

Total Posts: 26
1.7 Years Ago

BTW, great work on the swim.

and...no go on the hippo ;-)

Total Posts: 459
1.7 Years Ago

I'd be interested to hear what you end up selecting as your wetsuit of choice. I'll let you know how it swims.

Well...no go on "hippoboy"...we'll have to think of something new.

So far we have

Alison "flygirl" Thompson and

Nicole "the fish" Hopkins

I'll keep mulling over a nickname for ya'

Greg