Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

F1longhorn

2009-03-29 11:51 PM

in reply to: #2047899

Expert

1139

Austin

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

I'm looking at buying a wetsuit in the next few weeks as well and was curious about he pros and cons of the different suits.

2009-03-30 7:35 AM

in reply to: #2047899

Champion

7347

SRQ, FL

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

Depends on a lot of factors.

I race in FL so it's not really that cold. I went with a sleeveless as I like to have the freedom of arm movement (however some of the pro full suits have great movement in the shoulders) and once I get swimming I warm up pretty quick.

The more material you have however the more buoyant you'll be (and warmer). This *typically* equates to faster as well. If I were racing in the north or in some really cold lakes I might consider the full.

I'm not a fan on the bib john (I don't see the point really) but that's my personal opinion. I also think that 2 pieces would take LONGER to take off than 1.

2009-03-30 9:00 AM

in reply to: #2048086

Not a Coach

11473

Media, PA

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

TriRSquared - 2009-03-30 8:35 AM

I also think that 2 pieces would take LONGER to take off than 1.

Not so.

As to the OP, I believe I have heard of people swimming in just the bibjohn though I don't really know how effective it is. A full is the fastest and, if it fits well, should not be restrictive.

2009-03-30 9:57 AM

in reply to: #2048262

Champion

7347

SRQ, FL

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

JohnnyKay - 2009-03-30 10:00 AM

TriRSquared - 2009-03-30 8:35 AM

I also think that 2 pieces would take LONGER to take off than 1.

Not so.

I think that's a pretty personal thing. I can get a 1 piece off pretty damn fast.

2009-03-30 10:02 AM

in reply to: #2048458

Not a Coach

11473

Media, PA

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

TriRSquared - 2009-03-30 10:57 AM

JohnnyKay - 2009-03-30 10:00 AM

TriRSquared - 2009-03-30 8:35 AM

I also think that 2 pieces would take LONGER to take off than 1.

Not so.

I think that's a pretty personal thing. I can get a 1 piece off pretty damn fast.

Just pointing out that, with practice, you should be no slower in taking off a 2-piece than with your current 1-piece. And there are many people who believe they are actually faster with the 2-piece (and have tried both).

klowman

2009-03-30 12:38 PM

in reply to: #2048472

Expert

987

Durham, North Carolina

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

JohnnyKay - 2009-03-30 11:02 AM

TriRSquared - 2009-03-30 10:57 AM

JohnnyKay - 2009-03-30 10:00 AM

TriRSquared - 2009-03-30 8:35 AM

I also think that 2 pieces would take LONGER to take off than 1.

Not so.

I think that's a pretty personal thing. I can get a 1 piece off pretty damn fast.

I've heard that with a 2-pc they can have the top off by the time they reach transition, and with a bibjohn they just slip the straps off the shoulders and it comes right off ...and claim it's quicker than a 1 piece.

jmk-brooklyn

2009-03-30 12:48 PM

in reply to: #2047899

Champion

7821

Brooklyn, NY

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

I don’t see the point of bibjohns by themselves. I don’t really even see the point of a sleeveless suit, actually. If you can wear a suit at all, why not get the most buoyancy that you can? You almost never see a pro in anything but a full suit if the swim is wetsuit-legal, even for short-course ITU races.
My arms and shoulders are pretty big, but I’ve never found it to be that restrictive as long as I have it on properly. I think the advantages of a full suit over a sleeveless outweigh the disadvantages.

2009-03-31 7:21 AM

in reply to: #2048879

Champion

7347

SRQ, FL

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

klowman - 2009-03-30 1:38 PM

Just for the record with a 1 piece I have the top off and down around my waist by the time I reach T1. Then rip off the legs and good to go.

Maybe it's the same time frame but I do not believe a 2 piece is any faster.

The pros all wear 1 piece suits. Gotta believe that is for a reason.

DerekL

2009-03-31 7:24 AM

in reply to: #2050418

Champion

8936

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

TriRSquared - 2009-03-31 7:21 AM

klowman - 2009-03-30 1:38 PM

Just for the record with a 1 piece I have the top off and down around my waist by the time I reach T1. Then rip off the legs and good to go.Maybe it's the same time frame but I do not believe a 2 piece is any faster.The pros all wear 1 piece suits. Gotta believe that is for a reason.

Yeah. Sponsorships.

Edited by DerekL 2009-03-31 7:25 AM

jmk-brooklyn

2009-03-31 7:45 AM

in reply to: #2050420

Champion

7821

Brooklyn, NY

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

DerekL - 2009-03-31 7:24 AM

TriRSquared - 2009-03-31 7:21 AM

klowman - 2009-03-30 1:38 PM

Just for the record with a 1 piece I have the top off and down around my waist by the time I reach T1. Then rip off the legs and good to go.Maybe it's the same time frame but I do not believe a 2 piece is any faster.The pros all wear 1 piece suits. Gotta believe that is for a reason.

Yeah. Sponsorships.

I think the sponsorship argument only goes so far. A pro isn’t going to wear or use something unless they think there’s a benefit to it. If Chris Lieto thought that wearing a sleeveless suit or a bibjohn would give him a better chance of winning a race, I have to believe that he’d insist on wearing one.

KathyG

2009-03-31 8:29 AM

in reply to: #2047899

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

I've had 2 full wetsuits, 1 sleeveless and now a 2 piece DeSoto as I've lost weight I've had to get new suits.

Hands down the DeSoto fits best, is easy to take off, and is less restrictive for my arm movements and feels much more comfortable as it isn't all in one piece around my torso.

Most restrictive I felt was the sleeveless which may sound strange but to keep water out from entering at shoulders, around the arm seal area I found it highly compressive and uncomfortable around my chest.

DeSoto is a breeze to take off and if I ever get another wetsuit I'd get another two peice one. My best split relative to the whole field in races is normarlly T1.

I have swam with just my bibjohns but don't think I'd ever race with just them on.

Edited by KathyG 2009-03-31 8:30 AM

2009-03-31 9:38 AM

in reply to: #2050457

Champion

7347

SRQ, FL

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

jmk-brooklyn - 2009-03-31 8:45 AM

I think the sponsorship argument only goes so far. A pro isn’t going to wear or use something unless they think there’s a benefit to it. If Chris Lieto thought that wearing a sleeveless suit or a bibjohn would give him a better chance of winning a race, I have to believe that he’d insist on wearing one.

Yep... and a lot of the brands make multiple styles. So even if, say Xterra, sponsored someone they wold have a range of suits to choose from.

From a hydrodynamic standpoint I would think a one piece would have lower drag as there are no "joints" where the top meets the bottom. Of course to the average joe this would make little to no difference but the pros are trying to eek out every second.

Edited by TriRSquared 2009-03-31 9:39 AM

2009-03-31 10:17 AM

in reply to: #2050808

Not a Coach

11473

Media, PA

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

TriRSquared - 2009-03-31 10:38 AM

jmk-brooklyn - 2009-03-31 8:45 AM I think the sponsorship argument only goes so far. A pro isn’t going to wear or use something unless they think there’s a benefit to it. If Chris Lieto thought that wearing a sleeveless suit or a bibjohn would give him a better chance of winning a race, I have to believe that he’d insist on wearing one.

Yep... and a lot of the brands make multiple styles. So even if, say Xterra, sponsored someone they wold have a range of suits to choose from. From a hydrodynamic standpoint I would think a one piece would have lower drag as there are no "joints" where the top meets the bottom. Of course to the average joe this would make little to no difference but the pros are trying to eek out every second.

A pro is going to be just about as fast in any top line suit (as long as it fits). Lots of pros choose their wetsuit based on sponsorships exactly because it's generally not seen as a big difference-maker. The only consistency is that most pros wear full suits. Because they are faster.

chris1214

2009-03-31 10:30 AM

in reply to: #2050907

Regular

106

Middletown

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

The only consistency is that most pros wear full suits. Because they are faster.

What makes them faster? Looking at the desoto suits I dont see why they wouldnt be just as fast, especially with less restriction in the shoulders? I have no idea, just wondering.

2009-03-31 10:34 AM

in reply to: #2050950

Not a Coach

11473

Media, PA

Subject: RE: Bibjohn's vs Sleeveless vs. Full Wetsuits

chris1214 - 2009-03-31 11:30 AM

The only consistency is that most pros wear full suits. Because they are faster.

What makes them faster? Looking at the desoto suits I dont see why they wouldnt be just as fast, especially with less restriction in the shoulders? I have no idea, just wondering.

Full-sleeve suits, not just 1-piece suits--i.e., Desoto full sleeve products included. The lower shoulder restriction is the notable advantage the 2-piece suit has over the 1-piece. Some argue that almost all AGers would be better off in such a suit (again, assuming it fits well).