Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves

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2010-02-19 12:05 PM

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Veteran
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Taylorsville Ut
Subject: Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves

First of all I am doing a sprint Tri and have a competitive swimming background. The swim portion is not that long, but the water temp does call for a wetsuit. 

With the swim being so short, around 800 yards, do I really need the buoyancy of the sleeves or should I go for the sleeveless and get better pull?  I can completely understand on a HIM or IM that you would want the sleeves for the extra buoyancy, but what about for a sprint?

2010-02-19 4:00 PM
in reply to: #2681918

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Extreme Veteran
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Canyon Hills (Lake Elsinore), CA
Subject: RE: Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves
How cold is the water and what are you used to? I don't use sleeves in a sprint on anything over 60 degrees.
2010-02-19 4:11 PM
in reply to: #2681918

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Master
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Columbus, Ohio
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Subject: RE: Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves
I think it depends if you tend to get cold or not.

Personally, I can only afford one suit, so I got one with sleeves to cover me on the coldest of conditions. If it's too hot for that, I go without a wetsuit.

But if you can swim in 55 degrees with no sleeves, OR you tend to overheat, OR you never plan to do a cold-water tri, I'd say go for sleeveless.
2010-02-19 4:16 PM
in reply to: #2681918

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Master
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Rural Ontario
Subject: RE: Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves
I has the same dilema - in the end went with the 2-piece Desoto T1 wetsuit.  Up herfe in Canada the June and September races can be chilly, so the full 5mm wetsuit is appreciated. In July and August, as the small lakes warm up I only swim in the bib-jon (bottom) part. It works for me.
2010-02-19 7:07 PM
in reply to: #2681918

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Champion
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Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves
Provided you get a suit that fits you, the sleeves should always be faster than the sleeveless.  While you will "feel" the water better in a sleeveless, you will be faster with the sleeves.

Shane
2010-02-19 10:36 PM
in reply to: #2682815

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Expert
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The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Wetsuit--Sleeves/No Sleeves
gsmacleod - 2010-02-19 7:07 PM Provided you get a suit that fits you, the sleeves should always be faster than the sleeveless.  While you will "feel" the water better in a sleeveless, you will be faster with the sleeves.

Shane


X2. If you get a good wetsuit, you'll be glad you got full sleeves. Always faster and overheating isn't really any different than a sleeveless.

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