best wet suit, best price?
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2005-08-10 9:33 AM |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: best wet suit, best price? after my sad swim performance at my last race (normally being mop or fop, i was bop for the first time - and was also one of the only racers for the long course not using a wet suit) and knowing i'll be doing a 1/2 im next year in lake michigan, we are starting a wet suit fund. i get $1 for every 1000 yards i swim. we're starting with jan 05, so i'm already up to $45. anyway, my plan is to buy one in the spring next year, so i have lots of time to research. the tri team i joined gets a 25% discount on desoto suits, but they are still expensive. plus, i'm leaning towards getting a john/sleeveless...and maybe even get one with knee length legs. i'm wondering what other people are using and (if its not too rude to ask), how much you paid. thanks! please vote for cost AND model! thanks! |
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2005-08-10 9:38 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Pro 3870 Virginia Beach, VA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? I've got a ProMotion PowerGlide full and I like it a lot but I want to switch to a sleeveless. It's nothing specific about the ProMotion, I just realized that I'd probably be more comfortable with my arms not covered. They have great customer service and very good prices...BT members get a 15% discount too. |
2005-08-10 9:42 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Regular 140 Boulder, CO | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? i'm leaning towards getting a john/sleeveless...and maybe even get one with knee length legs. Since speed is obviously a concern of yours, you should be aware that full suits are faster than sleeveless or shorty suits. Good luck in your search! By the way, I use a De Soto T1 2-piece wetsuit with a zipper top. It's easy to put on and take off, has great floatation, doesn't chafe my neck at all, and has excellent shoulder mobility. bock |
2005-08-10 9:42 AM in reply to: #221447 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? forgot about promotion. thanks for adding them...and reminding me about the bt discount! i think i'd be more comfortable w/o arms too. thanks. |
2005-08-10 9:52 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Extreme Veteran 371 Montreal | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? After renting a sleeveless for my first race, I rented a full for one week this summer to practice. I then bought a full Orca S1 suit, which is a beginner suit. I really love it. I thought of buying a sleeveless at first, but the full felt so comfortable I went with that one, especially since the water can be cold around here. I guess its the same in Minnesota. As for the cost, I'll start in $CAD and then convert for you. The price was 285$CAD. Since I rented the same suit for a week for 70$CAD, they took off 75% of that, so 52$CAD. SO the suit was 233$CAD. In US$, the retail price is about 228$ and I ended up paying 186$. I am really happy with it. If you can, definitely try and rent first to see how it feels and get the right size. I ended up getting a size smaller than the one I rented, and it feels great. Proper fit is really important. I am lucky since the first full suit I tried was the right one. |
2005-08-10 10:16 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Master 1661 Newbury Park, CA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? Sleeves or sleeveless is a choice you need to make but do not buy a shorty, they are not for swimming. The biggest reason you wear a wetsuit is for bouyancy. Does it make sense to float your torso and let your legs drag behind you? Of course not. That'll just slow you down more. I have a Xterra Ventilator sleeveless. It's their low end model and it works ok. If I could buy another I would get a full suit probably an Orca Predator II. But, it would have to fit correctly. It might be best to find your price range and then see what company's offering in that range fits you the best. |
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2005-08-10 10:43 AM in reply to: #221451 |
Extreme Veteran 456 Western Massachusetts | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? autumn - 2005-08-10 10:42 AMforgot about promotion. thanks for adding them...and reminding me about the bt discount! i think i'd be more comfortable w/o arms too. thanks. I got a sleeveless from ProMotion and I was very happy with their customer support. They had a few items on sale that were returned and/or damaged and the lady on the phone rifled through the pile looking for just the right size/combo for me. I was on the fence between sleevless and full and ended up getting the jacket plus a sleevless, but then never bothered to put on the jacket and ended up returning it. (Which they accepted back because I had left tags on and was fairly prompt in getting it back.) I am glad to have a sleeveless because I tend to swim in water warm enough to swim in and use the wetsuit for buoyancy. The sleevelss is easier to get on, easier to wear and easier to get off. But there are times when I would have wanted a full suit so I'd be more inclined to swim in colder water... which I've just skipped doing because it was too cold. So I'd say the deciding factor is how often you're likely to want to swim in cold water. Gwendal |
2005-08-10 10:46 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? autumn - 2005-08-10 9:33 AM we are starting a wet suit fund. i get $1 for every 1000 yards i swim. we're starting with jan 05, so i'm already up to $45. What a cool idea! Reward for performance...I like it! |
2005-08-10 10:47 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? I like desoto because of it's versatility in sizing and options. I bought the full sleeve top, short sleeve top, and long johns...I didn't have to buy two wetsuits, just the parts of wetsuits. Also, you can mix and match if for example, if a person has a larger bottom half or top half than the other half. |
2005-08-10 10:48 AM in reply to: #221441 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? thanks for all the feedback so far. check: LEGS! to decide: arms or not??? since i am very used to cold water and am mainly getting this for more float and speed, not for warmth, will the arms still make a difference? again, thanks a lot for all the feedback. i am just learning about wet suits so all of this is VERY helpful! thanks! |
2005-08-10 10:50 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Champion 6285 Beautiful Sonoma County | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? I got my QR suit from See Jane Run in SF. I had rented the same suit for the Ice Breaker tri in April. It fit great. They applied my rental fee to the cost of the suit, so that was nice as well. And, to make things even sweeter, it was the last 2004 model they had in stock, so they gave me a substantial break on the price. I picked the QR mainly because of the cost and the fact that it fit me nicely. But, I can say that my BF has had his QR suit for over 5 years and it's still in great shape. He's planning on upgrading to a more expensive suit in the next year or so, but not because he NEEDS one. |
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2005-08-10 10:53 AM in reply to: #221537 |
Pro 4206 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? The more neoprene you have, the faster and more efficient. So yes, long sleeves at the arms will make a difference. You will be faster, more efficient, less tired, your heart rate will be lower...this is from personal experience. autumn - 2005-08-10 8:48 AM thanks for all the feedback so far. check: LEGS! to decide: arms or not??? since i am very used to cold water and am mainly getting this for more float and speed, not for warmth, will the arms still make a difference? again, thanks a lot for all the feedback. i am just learning about wet suits so all of this is VERY helpful! thanks! Edited by auto208562 2005-08-10 10:54 AM |
2005-08-10 11:01 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Extreme Veteran 461 Northeast Ohio | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? Autumn, I knew I'd be doing a race in Michigan in June so when I saw that Bonzai sports put their ironman wetsuits on clearance last December for $100 I snatched one up. I got sleeveless and it's wonderful. The kids laugh at me when they see me put it on because it's like trying to squeeze into the tightest panty hose and then pull them up to your shoulders. I get quite a workout just getting the dumb thing on...but then when it's on- watch out- I look like a superhero. By the way, I was a little overly optimistic when I chose the size- I was sure I'd be down to the weight range for it. I didn't try it on until about a month before my race and I couldn't get it zipped. It provided great motivation in dropping a few pounds. Debi By the way, I rationalize all tri purchases with, "Do you know how much money I would have spent on Weight Watchers this past year? I've lost the weight AND I have the gear. |
2005-08-10 11:45 AM in reply to: #221551 |
Pro 3870 Virginia Beach, VA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? This is true but the difference is marginal and should be weighed against the comfort factor. I bough a full suit for exactly that reason...it's faster...but quickly found out that having my arms compressed in neoprene gave me a very constricted feeling that caused me to feel a bit anxious in the water. And also, the tightness prevented my elbow from freely extending all the way so it took a little extra effort each time I extended my stroke. Shoulder mobility was good though. I haven't tried the sleeveless yet but I have a feeling that I'll be much happier with it. auto208562 - 2005-08-10 11:53 AM The more neoprene you have, the faster and more efficient. So yes, long sleeves at the arms will make a difference. You will be faster, more efficient, less tired, your heart rate will be lower...this is from personal experience. autumn - 2005-08-10 8:48 AM thanks for all the feedback so far. check: LEGS! to decide: arms or not??? since i am very used to cold water and am mainly getting this for more float and speed, not for warmth, will the arms still make a difference? again, thanks a lot for all the feedback. i am just learning about wet suits so all of this is VERY helpful! thanks! |
2005-08-10 11:47 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? Hey Autumn...if you do a tri with Team in Training, you get a free wetsuit... |
2005-08-10 11:52 AM in reply to: #221441 |
Master 2346 Dayton, Minnesota | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? Hey there, I don't know if you actually got to use mine when you borrowed it last, but you're welcome to give it a try at any time if you didn't. ProMotion sleeveless. Good price, great customer service, plus the BT discount. I've had no problems at all with mine. |
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2005-08-10 12:03 PM in reply to: #221564 |
Champion 6285 Beautiful Sonoma County | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? imnotjoking - 2005-08-10 8:01 AM The kids laugh at me when they see me put it on because it's like trying to squeeze into the tightest panty hose and then pull them up to your shoulders. I get quite a workout just getting the dumb thing on... I hear ya on that! I consider it my race warmup. Actually, I was having such trouble at my race on Sunday because the sun was already warming things up, and sweating made it just that much harder to get on. So I walked down to the beach and got in the water and I was amazed at how easily it went on! I'm never putting it on in transition again! |
2005-08-10 12:17 PM in reply to: #221490 |
Elite 2915 New City, New York | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? 8 Tri's done and i'm still learning! I use my old water ski shorty, realize there is a buonancy factor but really just use it to protect against the cold. Oy, another thing to buy if I actually commit to 1/2 IM Edited by rollinbones 2005-08-10 12:22 PM |
2005-08-10 12:22 PM in reply to: #221441 |
Expert 1166 Colchester, CT | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? Got my Xterra Full from Bonzai (tribonzai.com) as well. I got one of the close outs, cost me $100.00. Have had it for a year now and I love it. I went for the full because being from New England, our water doesn't get warm here until August. |
2005-08-10 12:28 PM in reply to: #221654 |
Pro 3906 Libertyville, IL | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? ProMotion Fluid Drive full. The look on my little girls face when I put it on the first time and told them I was a superhero was priceless too! |
2005-08-10 12:34 PM in reply to: #221646 |
Regular 140 Boulder, CO | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? TH3_FRB - 2005-08-10 10:45 AM This is true but the difference is marginal and should be weighed against the comfort factor. I bough a full suit for exactly that reason...it's faster...but quickly found out that having my arms compressed in neoprene gave me a very constricted feeling that caused me to feel a bit anxious in the water. And also, the tightness prevented my elbow from freely extending all the way so it took a little extra effort each time I extended my stroke. Shoulder mobility was good though. I haven't tried the sleeveless yet but I have a feeling that I'll be much happier with it. This is why many people prefer the De Soto suits. They have 2mm neoprene on top, which allows for better mobility (shoulders/elbows). Have you tried one? From what I've read, the speed advantage you get from switching to a full suit (from a sleeveless) is not as great as switching from just a swimsuit to a wetsuit, but it's still measurable and can make a difference in a race. bock |
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2005-08-10 12:47 PM in reply to: #221654 |
molto veloce mama 9311 | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? i may take you up on the offer (again!). have you decided if you're doing triamerica? if not, maybe you could bring it when we do perch lake and then i could get it back to you after triamerica??? |
2005-08-10 3:14 PM in reply to: #221441 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? I have both a full and a sleeveless Promotion wetsuit. I bought both on clearance from the previous year. I used to scuba dive when a teenager and hated wetsuits and the feeling they gave me. So I first opted for a sleeveless suit thinking I would be more comfortable and I could move my arms more easily. Yet, I found it constrictive in the chest...I think they fit more snug around the bust and sleeves in an effort to keep the seal around your arms. I did a Tri in early June with water temps were estimated to be as low as 55 so with the recommendation of my coach bought a full suit, booties and a wetsuit hat. Wow I love the full wetsuit and I don't feel like a sausage. My arm mobility is excellant and I don't feel like I have it on except for more bouyance. I find it much more comfortable than my sleeveless. I am considering selling my sleeveless Promotion. I just spent two weeks in No. MN on vacation and swam 3-4 times a week with my full wetsuit and did a time study to compare swimming with and without my wetsuit. I think I was about 10% faster with my wetsuit and I"m a slow swimmer. In the pool I swim 2:35-2:40/100 yds. I'd recommend getting a full suit and looking in the fall/winter to find a good deal so you can save some money. Autumn, I also think that in doing an Oly event you are competing with triathletes that take their training more seriously and tend to be much more competitive. Many that I know are MOPers in sprints are BOPers in Oly distances. Edited by KathyG 2005-08-10 3:16 PM |
2005-08-10 3:26 PM in reply to: #221977 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? KathyG - 2005-08-10 2:14 PM Autumn, I also think that in doing an Oly event you are competing with triathletes that take their training more seriously and tend to be much more competitive. Many that I know are MOPers in sprints are BOPers in Oly distances. You just described me exactly, and I've pointed this out to autumn previously. My last two tris:
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2005-08-10 3:34 PM in reply to: #221441 |
Extreme Veteran 493 Bay Area, CA | Subject: RE: best wet suit, best price? I got an Ironman Instinct Longjohn from www.teamestrogen.com for $180 and I LOVE it. I don't know about anything else from experience, but in my price range and my needs, this was my best researched option and I'm thrilled with it. I'm 5'9", 145 pounds, slender but with some curves, and the Large fits me. |
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