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Aero Helmets/ Swimskins: Are they worth it?

Drew RobinsonDrew Robinson
in General Training Discussions

How does everyone feel about investing in a swimskin and aero helmet?

Last year during my non-wetsuit legal races I felt quite a bit of drag when wearing just my tri suit (one piece singlet). This year, I have changed to a two piece (EN top...duh). Is a swimskin (speed suit) worth the investment?

In addition to that, what does everyone think about aero helmets? I borrowed one for IMLOU last year but I was not sure if I wanted to buy one for this year.

Thoughts? Suggestions on products?

Comments

  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    I don't have the data in front of me, but it's buried somewhere here in the EN forums. Cheap free speed is best obtained from a good bike fit (see TTbikefit.com), rear wheel aero jackets (see Wheelbuilder.com) and aero helmets. These will all save significant time over an IM course and there is no disagreements on data overall. Speed suits will also save some time, but not huge amounts of time. So how important is it to not give away a minute or so on the swim is the real issue and a personal decision. I have one, but not sure it's that important for most people.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Agreed
  • atasicatasic

    I completely agree with Tom. I am just not sold on new generation skins. I think Kiwami Amphibian tri suit comes very close to any skin however no removal process. For non wetsuit sprint races, makes no sense to wear one. 1500m-1900m some savings can be made, depends individually, but I am convinced that cost vs. savings makes no sense. 3800m, some savings can possibly justify the cost, but as noted above, really makes sense if you are after podium or Kona slot. Unless you can get the skin at a substantial discount, I still am having hard time justifying it.

    There are some pretty outrages claims about time gains with skins.........do not cave into that. They are not wetsuits.

    Aero helmet is a no brainer decision. Find used in classifieds and be done with that. It is worth it.

  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    Helmet is probably the best aero bang for the buck, followed by bike fit.

    Swimskins, jury is still out there was a good article a few months back in LAVA saying they were definitely faster. I did purchase a skin because I knew I would use it at least once a year, so i figured it would be worth something knowing I was going to use it more than once.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    I've worn swim skins and not worn them in warm salt water races. They provide no buoyancy at all, but they do provide some reduction of friction in the water, especially compared to wearing anything with pockets. Comparing my swims on the same courses with and without a skin, I do go maybe 0.5% faster with one.

    Aero helmet, OTOH, provided me 2-3% decrease in times on the same courses (at ALL distances) the first year I got one, with no increase in HR or RPE (I had no power at the time I made the switch.) Biggest bang for $ in terms of free speed, no question.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Swim skins work like junior-grade pool racing suits.

    Long story short: pool swimmers wear racing suits to do two things. They provide a lower resistance surface than skin (as Al implies) and especially lower resistance than loose tops with pockets. However, their secondary purposes is to act as a girdle, smooshing you into a more hydrodynamic shape.

    Pool suits fit tighter than speed skins traditionally do. (The rule of thumb is that if you can put your racing suit on in less than 10 minutes, it's too big.) However, they are (or at least can be) tight enough to give you some of that "girdle" effect.

    We are talking about fairly minor differences here, but if you wear a relatively loose tri top, especially one with open arm holes and pockets, the drag benefit is measurable. (if small)

    Remember, a pool swimmer would kill for one second per hundred yards/meters....

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