General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wet suit preference? Rss Feed  
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2015-04-17 8:18 PM

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Subject: Wet suit preference?
Getting ready for my first IM this summer. I've been debating what type of wet suit to use. I currently own a full sleeve wet suit, but wonder if a sleeveless might be more comfortable. If I purchase one, I'd like to do it sooner rather than later so that I could get some experience with it. Do you prefer a full sleeve or sleeveless wet suit and why? Does the swim distance impact your preference?


2015-04-18 2:29 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?
Generally speaking, it's better to go full suit.

The slightly increased buoyancy, less drag with your arm extended, and slightly larger "paddle" for the pull make it a faster suit in most cases.

Drawbacks to a sleeveless specifically, it's more likely to chafe, especially around the arm, and getting a good seal around the arm can be a bit difficult so you run the chance of dragging an extra few pounds of water along with you as well.

Benefits of sleeveless are increased shoulder mobility, and in REALLY warm waters, you won't be as warm, since there's less wetsuit, but this is generally outweighed by the benefits of a good fitting fullsuit, as long as the shoulders aren't too restrictive.

Edited by dfquigley 2015-04-18 2:31 AM
2015-04-18 8:27 AM
in reply to: dfquigley

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Oklahoma
Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?
I always end up going with a full suit during long course events. Im faster in the full suit and I'm very cold blooded so I have never come close to over heating even when the temps are close to wetsuit cutoff temp.
2015-04-18 8:55 AM
in reply to: tedjohn

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

I use Desoto's two piece system.

The lower is the T1 First Wave bibjohn

The full sleeve upper is the T1 First Wave Concept 5 pullover

The sleeveless upper is the T1 Speedvest

So I have the option of full or sleeveless whenever necessary.

2015-04-18 11:54 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?
I have the Desoto T1 as well and it was great having that flexibility. Some races turned out to be wetsuit legal even though the water was warm (RD's are really good about finding that cold spot in the lake ). I got a Roka full (Maverick Elite) last season and it feels awesome. No restriction whatsoever in the arms and no chafing. It's a few more pennies than other wetsuits but man is it worth it.
2015-04-19 12:15 PM
in reply to: reecealan

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

Another vote for DeSoto.  Don't forget about the Speedtube as another option.  Their customer service is awesome.  If you're comfortable you can send your measurements and pics to them and they will size you.  They also have a great return policy if that doesn't work.  I didn't have the money to buy both the top and the bibs at the same time so I bought the bibs and got a 30% off my next purchase coupon, worked out great for me and I'm very happy with the product.  I don't know why I don't see more people wearing these suits.  The only thing I can think of is the apprehension about getting it off in T1 but it's not an issue.  See the YouTube video they have. 



2015-04-19 1:21 PM
in reply to: #5109052

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?
I cab get my two piece Desoto off faster than a one piece.
2015-04-19 2:06 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 I cab get my two piece Desoto off faster than a one piece.

How does that happen?

2015-04-19 5:14 PM
in reply to: #5109248

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?
I can have the top off before I am completely out of the water and the bottom comes off with zero effort. Also bypass the wetsuit strippers.
2015-04-19 5:28 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 I can have the top off before I am completely out of the water and the bottom comes off with zero effort. Also bypass the wetsuit strippers.

sounds just like how i take off the one piece, except i don't have to carry the top while I'm running to t1

 

Also, if you have the top off before you're out of the water, I'd suggest that you should swim further before you stand up. Its faster and easier!

2015-04-19 6:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 I can have the top off before I am completely out of the water and the bottom comes off with zero effort. Also bypass the wetsuit strippers.

Gotcha.......I don't know about wetsuit strippers....I never understood that one, it must be an IM thing.  I think those suits are cool, but I don't know about being faster than a one piece.



Edited by Left Brain 2015-04-19 6:24 PM


2015-04-20 7:09 AM
in reply to: dmiller5

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

Originally posted by dmiller5

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 I can have the top off before I am completely out of the water and the bottom comes off with zero effort. Also bypass the wetsuit strippers.

sounds just like how i take off the one piece, except i don't have to carry the top while I'm running to t1

 

Also, if you have the top off before you're out of the water, I'd suggest that you should swim further before you stand up. Its faster and easier!

Trust me, I used a one piece full sleeve suit for years before going to the Desoto two piece.  I know which one I can get off faster.

Thanks for the swim advice.  Never dawned on me in my 30 triathlons to swim further before I stand up.  I stop swimming once I get to neck deep water.  Did I lay the sarcasm on thick enough for you to catch on?

You know when you're exiting the water in knee deep water and those of you with a one piece grab the zipper cord to unzip your wetsuit.  That's when I take the top off.  I unzip it just like you do and just remove the whole top at the same time.

Here is me upon exiting the water at IM Canada last year:

 

It isn't rocket science.

2015-04-20 7:20 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Originally posted by dmiller5

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 I can have the top off before I am completely out of the water and the bottom comes off with zero effort. Also bypass the wetsuit strippers.

sounds just like how i take off the one piece, except i don't have to carry the top while I'm running to t1

 

Also, if you have the top off before you're out of the water, I'd suggest that you should swim further before you stand up. Its faster and easier!

Trust me, I used a one piece full sleeve suit for years before going to the Desoto two piece.  I know which one I can get off faster.

Thanks for the swim advice.  Never dawned on me in my 30 triathlons to swim further before I stand up.  I stop swimming once I get to neck deep water.  Did I lay the sarcasm on thick enough for you to catch on?

You know when you're exiting the water in knee deep water and those of you with a one piece grab the zipper cord to unzip your wetsuit.  That's when I take the top off.  I unzip it just like you do and just remove the whole top at the same time.

Here is me upon exiting the water at IM Canada last year:

 

It isn't rocket science.

I notice you don't cut the legs of your suit......does it come over your feet easy?  We cut ours about six inches up from where yours appears to be. 

2015-04-20 7:39 AM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Wet suit preference?

The lining on the inside of the Desoto suits is super slippery.  I'm not sure what it is but it's different from other suits I have used (Blue Seventy Helix, Tyr Hurricane Cat 5, and whatever Xterra's high end suit is called).  That inside lining it what makes it so easy to remove.  I really was concerned about getting the suit off when I first got it prior to IMAZ in 2012.  Did my first practice swim in it and I was really amazed at how quickly it came off.  Now when I say it's faster to remove we're talking about a couple of seconds at best but it's also easier to remove.  Like I said, I can have the top off before I have exited the water and I don't remove the bibjohn until I hit transition, and it slides off in a couple of seconds.  Meanwhile, everyone else is farting around with wetsuit strippers and all that.

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