New Wetsuit Recommendations
I just pulled my wt suit out of the closet and it looks like it time to upgrade. The old girl has served my well, but she is starting to show signs of the abuse. Also, it is an armless suit and based on the race reports I have read from CDA and my knowledge of Tahoe, I will need a full suit.
What's the Haus recommendation these days for a super, kick-ass, top-o-the-line neoprene second skin?
0
Comments
I personally like 2XU
We also get a 25% discount on DeSoto stuff.
I wear the Huub Archimedes 3:5. It has 3mm neoprene up top and 5mm neoprene below the waist to promote good position in the water. Once you put this thing on, you forget you are actually wearing a wetsuit. It's more like a second skin. It also has a small 1mm section right in the front by your neck so it doesn't constrict your breathing or choke you at all which was a must for me with my big neck. It also has thinner cutouts for your biceps (doesn't get your arms or shoulders tired at all to swim in this suit) and calves to promote better motion and help alleviate calf cramping. And it's super easy to get off. It does have super delicate neoprene which makes it slippery and fast, but you must be careful with it (like any super high-end wetsuit). I actually pit a nick in it in the thigh area during IMFL. I love, love, love this wetsuit. And no, I am not paid in any way by them to endorse it, I'm just a gear junkie that loves his toys! The only con I would give it for you specifically is that because of the increased flexibility and balance of the 3mm neoprene up top, it won't be quite as warm as a less flexible 5mm everywhere wetsuit. But if I were doing IMCDA, there is a 100% chance I would be doing it in my Huub. One final thing, this suit also looks Badazz when you are wearing it, which is also important!
www.huubdesign.com/product_archimedes.html
http://www.swimsmooth.com/huub-wetsuits.html
http://tribomb.com/review.php?ID=212
http://firstoffthebike.com/tri101/huub-archimedes-35-wetsuit-review/
When looking at a full arm, you really have to look at the flexibility in the shoulders. Make sure you are comfortable in the suit and you like it. I see wet suits like bikes. One size does not fit all. What works for you does not work for me.
Personally, i just got a really nice TYR Hurricane 5 and i am excited to get into the water.
De Soto. I've had one since 2005. Twice I looked to upgrade, even bought a top of the line Xterra, but always ended up with the first wave.
I've replaced the bottom once,; still use the original top (we're talking upwards of 50 races, and probably 10x/year other OWS)
Anything other than pure smooth neoprene on the outside is just marketing hype, not value added: forearm ribs, bubbles in the rubber, different neoprene grades, etc.
Advantages of DeSoto style include better fit and cheaper replacement costs d/t module system, ease of entry and exit, smooth interior lining, combionation of easier movement from non-binding upper, and placement of arms/shoulders in a more forward position. In really warm water (75f) you can wear just the bottom, and have bascially a sleeveless wetsuit.
One key choice in wetsuits is rubber: # 39 and 40 rubbers are more pliable, but tear more easily than #38. DeSoto has models from both 38 and 39 (although they call it something different, and make claims about its superiority, which I would tend to doubt, but I haven't actually tried the newest models yet ... maybe I should spring this year for a new upper with the #9 rubber?)
DeSoto's hype on its product is >here <</p>
Withrow - Thanks for the tip. I am hard looking at Huub now.
As Satish said, they are referring to the DeSoto Water Rover, it was a very specific model that was only made for a short time before they clarified the rules about maximum wetsuit thickness. So no need to worry there, anything you'd buy from DeSoto today would be legal.
I've heard good things about the HUUB and I would have checked it out when I was in the market for a new suit last year, 'cept I'm in SD and De Soto is based out of here so I went straight to the source (factory) and tried on a variety of suits and ended up loving them. I have a DeSoto First Wave Concept 5, and while it could be a FS vs sleeveless thing in general, it's worlds better (and faster) than my old Zoot sleeveless.
DeSoto's are not nearly as flashy as the other brands, they don't have tons of 'features' built into them like catch panels and water guide veins, nor do they have super flashy graphics intended to make you look like some sort of aquatic cyborg. In fact, I would say one of the defining characteristics of the DeSoto line is that they look deceptively old school in comparison to all the flash of the competition.
Yet, look on here, or ST or pretty much anywhere and people swear by them, myself included. Suppose it could be one of those 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' deals.
I love my desoto wetsuit partly for the fit but also the flexibility of being able to mix the short/full sleeves based on water temps. The ability to mix and match sizes for bibjohn and the pullover is great for variable body sizes. but the desoto like all wetsuits fit everyone a little differently. i've had mine for the past couple of seasons and it is holding up well and fits me great. -good luck figuring this out.
Reviews for both are solid all the way around. The difference seems to be the tried and true DeSoto versus the high-end European upstart. I like the modular approach of the DeSoto with different sizing for top and bottom. I think I would be a 5 top and 4 bottom. But, I wonder if stripping, especially in a "sprint" scenario, would be harder with a two piece. Plus, if I am honest with myself, I do like that the Huub would make me look BADASS. It has real superhero appeal! AND, it has a lot of RED. According to Coach Rich, RED is the fastest color.....
With EN discount Desoto is far cheaper and being a SoCal guy, DeSoto would mean "buying local". But the Superhero thing keeps popping up..... Ugh!
I need to sleep on this....
+1 on the slick DeSoto lining. The top comes off with one swift yank. Drop the straps, the bottom sheds much faster than a one piece. Add to that Emile's over the top customer service.
OTOH, if you really think looking bad ass will make you go faster ...
Withrow... Please don't judge me...
I don't judge. You chose an awesome wetsuit with it's own cult following. I really hope it fits you. If it doesn't fit for some reason, I have a good recommendation for a contingency plan.
Im happy for all that picked wetsuits for their personal reasons i.e. fit and efficacy. My old Qr is now replaced with....after numerous attempts at Desoto and Huub, I went with Huub Aerious due to the fit. Huub has great shoulder flexibility etc much like Desoto. Desoto bent over backwards to assist me. I'm in that size 4-5 (like shoes I wear a 11.5). Huub also did a great job in customer service ( time to fit and retry different sizes). Thanks to Al and John for their input.
Dino let me know how your top fits once you swim in it. Did you go with the Concept 5 top? I went with a size 5 bottom and size 4 top. Part of me wonders if I should have gone with a size 5 top. Not that we're the same size or anything. Obviously, I'm much bigger where it matters... from the waist down.
The 5 mm sleeves are a bear to get on, being so much thicker. But I'm hoping my arms will stay warm,that's been my big problem in some races recently.
40" chest, 32" waist and 6'0" tall. I fit well within the size 4 parameters from a chest and waist standpoint. I'm a bit taller than the usual size 4 but that doesn't mean as much with the two piece concept.
I'm replacing my DeSoto Bibjohn but can't find our EN discount in the redesigned website. I agree with Al and others-> best suits ever.
I think you have to email/message the coaches.
DeSoto code:
Coupon Code TT20121201 ---> DO NOT SHARE THIS CODE WITH ANYONE!!