General Discussion Triathlon Talk » tri suit vs wet suit Rss Feed  
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2008-06-13 10:42 AM

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Eureka, Ca
Subject: tri suit vs wet suit

May seem like a silly question but i was wondering what is the difference in regards to these? it seems like some of the tri suits have a good bit of body coverage.. are they the same materials?

Just trying to get an idea so i can better hit my wife up for more money :D



2008-06-13 10:47 AM
in reply to: #1464864

Subject: RE: tri suit vs wet suit
No, not the same at all. A tri-suit is like a tri top and tri shorts sewn together - made of lycra or spandex or whatever. A wetsuit is made of neoprene and is meant to be worn over your choice tri-garb for the swim portion, to keep you afloat, keep you warm in cold water and make you faster. You must get one that is tri-specific, as diving/surfing wetsuits are made of different material and do not allow for full range of motion for swimming.

Edited by wurkit_gurl 2008-06-13 10:48 AM
2008-06-13 6:12 PM
in reply to: #1464864

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Subject: RE: tri suit vs wet suit

Everything she said is true.  A trisuit is just thin fabric and does nothing to keep you warm and bouyant the way neoprene does.  A good beginner full wetsuit will cost about $200 or so.  I recommend trying them on if you can.

 To make things more complicated, there are now speedsuits or fastskins that people can wear while swimming.  While doing nothing for temp or buoyancy, they do make you more hydrodynamic.  DeSoto has a "Liftfoil" suit that was a speedsuit but is now also a tri-suit because it has a small crotchpad.

 BTW, that is not a dumb question.  In catalogs and online, they kinda look the same.  My friend just asked the exact same question the other day.

2008-06-14 12:19 AM
in reply to: #1464864

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Elite
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Subject: RE: tri suit vs wet suit

Hey There!  I stumbled across your question and just had to answer! 

You are going to want a wetsuit for where you live.  I would suggest renting one first to see what you prefer.  You can get either a full sleeve or a sleeveless.  (I wear a sleeveless since my shoulders are weak.)  I don't have a problem with water temps above 55 degrees.  You may feel different.

As mentioned, you want to get a tri specific wetsuit.  Good luck!

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