Cheap vs expensive wetsuits

Depends on what you define as "help". If buoyancy is the issue, then it probably doesn't matter what the suit costs, as long as it corrects the body position challenges you have (usually it's legs sinking). But if it's all about tenths of seconds, then the more expensive suit will produce less drag (generally, and by small degrees) than the cheaper ones.

If its only a few seconds then its not worth it atleast not to me. Thanks for the info.

You might check on the offerings from NeoSport. They now have a full suit that runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $180. I have one of the sleeveless models, and it's not bad at all.

Besides the few seconds though, I'd say the expensive wetsuits have better rubber material so it's more pliable in the arm areas so your arms won't be as tired (if wearing a full wetsuit).

well if thaty is the case then that would in theory should mean more than a few seconds but even then your arms get a huge rest when your on the bike espcially if you are doing an IM distance.

I do agree that the bike and run, you don't need your arms as much. But I'd say that if you are fatigued "in general" because of the extra work you had to do in the swim, you will probably feel it "in general" later on during the day/night.

I personally am in a hate/love relationship with my long sleeve. I have the desoto wesuit, and as you know, it's a separate top. I have both the long and short sleeve top.

I always race in my long sleeve because countless tests I've done in training in OW, the long sleeve is more efficient in regards to HR. It's much lower, by about 10-15 beats than when I use the short sleeve.

However, my arms are way more tired and fatigued because of it. At first, I thought it was because I was wearing it wrong but after visiting the desoto website and looking at the video, I wear it correctly. I attribute it that at the time, I bought the cheapest model.

At IMAZ, I will wear the short sleeve because of the fatigue factor but not sure if I'll regret the HR factor.

I have a cheap wetsuit...and I am always envious of everyone else's nice wetsuits.  The neoprene/stretch on the nice/expensive wetsuits just FEELS so much easier to swim in than the cheap wetsuit I have.  My next tri wetsuit will be a NICE wetsuit...but the other one got me through several seasons and served its purpose!

out of curiousity, why is it that there is such a HR difference?

maybe I am better off with 1 more session of MAster swim though not sure if I can keep getting up so early for it

Would you notice the difference between a $400 wetsuit and a $200? Maybe some. Better more flexible rubber = less fatigue. The coating on the more expensive wetsuits adds to them being a little faster in the water. A lot depends on at what level you are racing at - how often you plan on using your wetsuit - if you want to make a smaller invest at first realizing you may want to upgrade later. The 2XU comp sleevless wetsuit is a great entry level wetsuit - I wore it this season and really like it - very very comfortable. If you are going to do a lot of races and they and you are going to wear a wetsuit everytime then you may want to invest your money in a better suit. The one thing I will say is - once you wear a wetsuit, especially if you are a beginner, you will never want to race without one. YOu just feel fast -

yeah I used a pull bouy once and I had fins once man if I can have those I would totally rock too. I figure I will be in the sport for a long time and why buy 2 suits if you can "save money" and buy 1.

I have an inexpensive pro-motion suit ($200). I got out of the water last year faster then some with the $400 suits. Same with the bike. $4,000 or $500 bike. It is all about the engine not the cost of your equipment.

A wet suit that is too big is totally worthless and will kill you by forcing you to haul too much water around. Too tight and you'll not be able to swim in it. Most suits change sizes every 10 to 15 lbs of body weight.

If you plan on dropping weight in the near future I would NOT buy one. Rent one if the water is too cold.

I am having this exact struggle.

Trying to pick out a wetsuit is... OVERWHEMLING! So many different brands... and prices... and all this stuff I have no clue what they are talking about.

I'm inclined to just buy something expensive and be done with it... but yet, I am broke... so I need to not do that.

What makes a $400 wetsuit that much better? Why do I need a $400 wetsuit, vs. a $200 wetsuit?

I am thinking the cheap route is the one for me right now. I may have to replace it again as I drop weight and frankly I will not use it all that often. Maybe once I am at my ideal weight I will get one but for now seems kinda silly until I get an idea what I am looking for/need.

Most beginner Tri swimmers will never notice the difference between a $200 and $400 suit.

The difference in price is fit and flexability. The more expensive suits generally use more pieces in their patterns and more expensive (read more flexiable) rubber.

Having had a few nice suits over the last few years I would suggest you look at DeSoto's. Wife and I both own the DeSoto "first wave" and haven't had a better suit. I really like the options a two piece (three peice if you add the vest) gives you for fit and flexibility and now with the "speed tube" even more temp control.


I have raced in just the vest, just the john, and the john/vest combo and the full top and john combo. But for much of the season here the vest and 2mm speed tube will work perfectly for me as an option for the speedo.

My wife does one or may be two tris a year and is perfectly happy with her full suit and has no need for the other options.