Wet Suit Preference

Do you have anything against a wetsuit company that's trying to take a proactive stance at saving the environment?

It's the OP's first post, sheesh!

Desoto Black Pearl, awesome wetsuit, excellent company.

I must be missing something because I don't get it!

If you don't have any issues, you should check out DeSoto.  Some people around here have voiced their problems with the firm's environmental stance.  (I think they're an awesome company that are the cutting edge of technology)

I have both sleeved and sleevless, by far my preferance is for the sleevless, as it just allows so much more free arm rotation on the swim and a lot less fatigue over distance, drawbacks it does take on a bit more water, you loose some front end flotation, but not a huge amount, if the water is cold you won't be as warm as with a fullsuit.

I am actually a bit faster with the sleevless as well because I fatigue faster in the fullsuit and  my stroke rate slows down a bit as I get tired, I am reletively new to swimming and am still in the process of building up swim muscles and strength so  maybe that will change as I get stronger but for now I love the sleevless.

My personal preference is for sleeved suits (and yes, I've done a good bit of swimming in both). Speed, warmth, buoyancy are all superior in a sleeved suit.

If you get a properly fitting suit of quality material, it should not restrict movement at all. The downside is that's going to cost you more than a sleeveless suit (30-50% more). But if you're not in a hurry, don't have special needs like restriction panic or enormous bodybuilder shoulders totally out of proportion to your body/height, OR you have $150-$200 to spend ... it's worth your time to look into sleeved wetsuits that fit.

A cheap, ill-fitting sleeveless suit can restrict your movement more and fit worse than a reasonably well fitting full sleeve suit.

Buy one of each. I started out with full sleeves, Never really cared for it, my arms always felt a little restricted, my fault should of bought a size up. I bought a sleeveless and never looked back, easier to get in and out of and no arm restriction.