What kind of wetsuit do i need for a triathlon

Less expensive wetsuits will also typically have uniform neoprene while the materials in high-end suits will vary across the body and incorporate more technology into the fabric. Remember, you want your wetsuit to fit snug to your body, but not restrict breathing or inhibit arm movement. If you end up going with a sleeved wetsuit be sure to follow these tips for putting it on. Wetsuits provide buoyancy. Wearing a wetsuit is one of the easiest ways to get faster swim times.

The buoyancy of the suit allows the wearer to swim faster and reduces the effort the swimmer has to put in. The better the swimmer the less advantage the wetsuit may show. A swimmer can expect to save anywhere from a few seconds to tens of seconds per meters. Usually, the longer the distance the more the savings is noticeable.

With less exertion in the water, you will feel less of an energy drain as you are heading up to T1. The wetsuit can provide warmth to the swimmer in the cold water. If you are sensitive to the cold the coverage of the wetsuit can be great at making you more comfortable in the water.

Wetsuits are highly advised for water temps between 50 to 65 degrees. You can check with local stores to see if they rent suits or try and find second-hand wetsuits through Facebook groups. It is also important that you take proper care of the wetsuit as the neoprene can degrade over time. Note that these premium wetsuits are going to be more sleek and thin, so making sure that they work well with your entire triathlon clothing system is important.

You do not want to end up with a sleek, high-end wetsuit over a cheap, bulky pair of triathlon shorts that are bunching-up underneath. It is best to have some level of consistency in terms of the gear you are layering on top of each other. These are made with warmer materials for those who, say, swim in the Northern ocean areas or in very early-or-late season temps. You will pay much more for these, and in our opinion they really only benefit a tiny fraction of triathletes.

One thing we have found with high-performance wetsuits is that they tend to tear more easily, because the the same thin neoprene that feels so good and light to wear is also more prone to rips and inadvertent tears. Be careful when you are putting a higher-end wetsuit on, watch your fingernails, and make sure you store it in a place away from any sharp objects. There are so many great wetsuits at this level, it is hard to know where to begin. At this price, all manufacturers make high quality products that we love.

One model that gets rave reviews from racers is the Blue Seventy Helix. In the past, Blue Seventy had also offered an Axis wetsuit at the high-end, but we believe they discontinued it because no maker needs two top-end wetsuits in their lineup, leaving the Helix as their masterpiece. We love the soft feel of the Helix, the thin neoprene in all the right places, and LIFT technology that really puts a swimmer in a nice body position for a long swim.

The reverse zipper is a nice touch, allowing the zipper head to be at the small of your back during the swim, rather than competing for space around your neckline. We have personally used this wetsuit, and think the excellent range-of-motion makes it a great choice. This is more of a 1A and 1B situation than a true 1st place and 2nd place.

You will not go wrong with the Xterra Vector Pro. For swimmers who want a suit that gives them virtually no shoulder restriction and just feels fast, the Vector should be a serious contender. The shoulder flexibility on the Vector Pro is outstanding, allowing you to swim with your completely natural swim stroke instead of fighting the neoprene.

We love the low-profile neckline, which lays nice and flush and adds to the comfort. Some necklines tend to want to crawl up and around as you move in the wetsuit, this one stays put and set for the entire swim.

For , the Vector does not come in a sleeveless option, but the high-end Vengeance does. With the discount, you would really be hard-pressed to find a better wetsuit for the money. Summary: A quick Ebay or online search will yield several hits for very low cost wetsuits, typically made of very basic materials and simple manufacturing.

The first signs of the poor construction will be evident when the zipper breaks or the suit gets nicks or cuts from the smallest incidents, and the buoyancy of the wetsuit will not be as good as the higher levels. We also notice that the seams on these wetsuits are not as strong as better suits and are often uneven or raised which can cause chafing.

We hate to be such downers, as we generally want to encourage everyone to participate in the sport of triathlon and get in better shape, but we are also believers in buying quality that will last. My first and last foray into the world of cheap wetsuits ended the 3rd time I wore it, when the entire zipper busted as I was exiting the water during a race.

The next wetsuit I bought was a much better quality QR model. The exception is for youth wetsuits of you happen to have a child doing a kids triathlon. The Blue Seventy Torpedo is a great example of a quality youth wetsuit in this price range. Regardless of where you are in your triathlon journey, having the right wetsuit is important. If you skimp, you will regret it during the first leg of every race you ever do. What is the point of buying a cheap wetsuit, only to buy a better one after your very first race?

In addition to helping you on race day, a good wetsuit will support your triathlon training plan by allowing you to be more comfortable in the open water. Overall, just like we do with triathlon bikes , we recommend buying the nicest wetsuit you can reasonably afford but within your budget, of course.

Von Collins is an avid triathlete and member of the triathlon community. He has been a frequent writer on triathlon and swimming-related topics for over a decade, and wrote the book on being a new triathlete, Your First Triathlon Guide. Hello, I enjoyed your article. I noticed you did not review any sleeveless wet suits. I am on a tri relay team. If you are open water swimming, you can simply wear a swimming costume or shorts under your wetsuit.

If you are taking part in a triathlon, you will wear a tri-suit underneath, which is a thin, tight material with padding in the crotch for when you get on the bike.

It's also advisable to apply some wetsuit lube or anti-chaffing cream so that your wetsuit doesn't rub and is easy to get off when you come out of the water. View the Wiggle triathlon shop. Now that you know the features of a wetsuit to look out for, why not take a look at the Best Triathlon Wetsuits blog, where you'll find a range of the best wetsuits at different price points for both women and men.

Best triathlon wetsuits blog. Get more great content, useful tips and inspiring stories, plus all our latest product releases straight to your email inbox. Sign me up. Wetsuit buying guide.

Posted in Swim. Why should I buy a wetsuit? Some key advantages of a wetsuit are: Warmth: For Age Group Triathlons excluding Open Age Group if the temperature is below 24 degrees, then wetsuits are optional and compulsory below 14, 15 and 16 degrees for Olympic, Half and Full Ironman races respectively.

This is then warmed by your body temperature, maintaining heat. Buoyancy: A wetsuit provides extra buoyancy in the water, which can make swimming a little easier. Holding you high in the water - especially your legs or hips - the suit helps you maintain a good swimming position easier. Speed: Wetsuits reduce drag in the water. This, along with the added buoyancy and better body position, means faster times.

Energy conservation: This is an important aspect in triathlon, with the cycle and run still to go. How should I choose? Thinner material may be used around the shoulders for easier movement.

If you're a powerful swimmer but lack technique, then thicker suits with more bouancy could be the way to go. If you're looking for flexibilty to get the most out of your finely-tuned stroke, then a thin suit will be a great choice. Buoyancy : Brands use thicker material to help lift you to the surface of the water, therefore lowering the drag and helping you swim more efficiently and faster.

Some suits will use thicker material around the legs for athlete who need to lift their legs more. Neck Line : A good seal around your neck is key. Without the seal, the neck becomes a scoop and the suit will fill with water.