Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit

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2010-06-09 9:16 PM

Member
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Farmington, Utah
Subject: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
Does anyone have experience with either of these two wetsuits?  They both look to be about equal in terms of features and benefits and just wanted to know if anyone has used either and what their experience is with them.  I have done a few triathlons and was a high school and age group swimmer in my younger years and have found triathlon to be a very exilerating sport and plan to really get into it.

2010-06-10 3:36 AM
in reply to: #2912332

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2525
Niagara Falls
Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
Got Vortex 3 and love it. It is on sale now on their website too...50% off...Might weight in the balance!
2010-06-10 1:19 PM
in reply to: #2912332

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit

I haven't tried them personally- but the obvious answer is the one that fits better.  They are both solid companies with good products.

A second thing to test is which one is easier to get off your heels.  Saving 20 seconds in your swim time and then taking 60 seconds to get the damn wetsuit off isn't a good trade.

that said- if you were an age-group and HS swimmer, the swim part will be a natural for you.  The better the swimmer, the less difference a wetsuit seems to make.  So, whereas a beginner swimmer will benefit more from the suit with a higher flotation, you might prefer the suit with more freedom of movement and better fit.

2010-06-10 3:23 PM
in reply to: #2912332

Member
12

Farmington, Utah
Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
Thanks for the input.  I have done two open water swims.  One with an entry level wetsuit and the other with just a tri suit in warm water.  Because i have not been able to try on either of these two suits, i ended up going with the Xterra suit based on their warranty and fit guarentee.  Because the swim is pretty natural to me i don't think there will be much gain with either suit unless one is more difficult to get off.  I will let you know how the Xterra goes.
2010-06-11 10:45 AM
in reply to: #2912332

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Massachusetts
Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
I'm a little larger in the chest and arms and the Vortex3 did not work for me at all.  Too much fabric under my arm pit that just dug in.  For comparison I had a medium, I'm 5'8'' @ 160lbs.  I ended up with a blue seventy and it works so much better.  As mentioned before go for fit.
2010-06-11 10:54 AM
in reply to: #2912332

New user
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Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
I have the Vortex and love it ; it fits me perfectly.  I'm 6' and 170 pounds,  I have pretty broad shoulders.  They have a 30 day money back guarantee, you can swim/race and return it if you don't like it.

2010-06-13 10:01 PM
in reply to: #2912332

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metro DC
Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
Have the Vortex3 sleeveless, and would say that the Xterra customer service has been so phenomenal that I can't recommend them enough - had trouble w/ my 1st wetsuit (vortex3 full suit), got immediate replies, more suits shipped to try, many suggestions, & ended up with well-fitting wetsuit in time for my OWS.
2010-06-14 10:11 AM
in reply to: #2912332

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Master
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Lafayette, IN
Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
I have a Vortex Full in size MLO.  I am 5' 11" and 165.  It fits well.  I used TriSlide this weekend at a tri and it worked great!  The suit just slid off with no effort.  The stuff is pricey, but worth it to me.
2010-06-14 11:45 AM
in reply to: #2912332


13

Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
I have the Vortex 3 and I love it. I had a tougher time finding a wetsuit because I am 6'5" and 205. The people at Xterra helped me get the right fit and the price was better than others.
2010-06-20 7:40 PM
in reply to: #2912332

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Subject: RE: Xterra Vortex 3 Wetsuit or Iron Man Aqua Sphere Racer Wetsuit
Anyone have experience renting a wetsuit from Xterra?  Seems like a good option for me.
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