Wetsuit Reviews
I'm looking to buy two full wetsuits, one for me, one for my hubby, we are bothing doing Cda. Can you tell me what you love/hate about your wetsuit, what you would do differently, and is it worth the money to go for the higher priced. Mostly concerned about the restriction of shoulder movement, not so much about the speed factor of different textures, etc. Are there any big differences between the brands?
Thanks
Donna
0
Comments
Donna;
There are several good threads with feedback from folks on the old Forum. Here is a link to most of them:
http://www.endurancenation.us/en_fo...php?t=2052
http://www.endurancenation.us/en_fo....php?t=476
http://www.endurancenation.us/en_fo...php?t=8026
Finally, here's the advice I pretty much always give on this question.
First- yes, you kinda get what you pay for. More $ means a bit more comfort, mobility, features to the wettie. However, that said, $300 today will get you today the kinda suit that woulda cost you $500 just two or three years ago, so you decide how cutting edge you really wanna be and if you wanna pay for it. In addition, all manufacturers pretty much have the same basic price/quality levels within their suits. So a $300 T1 is roughly the same quality as a 2XU $300 suit.
Second- when it comes to wetsuits (like bikes and saddles) it's really all about the fit. What works wonders for me (and I went through many many exchanges before I finally got happy) will feel like crap on you. In general, the brands will all fit sorta the same (Blue Seventy is gonna fit the same in the $200, $300, and $500 suit- but a Blue Seventy is gonna fit a lot different than an Orca). So- my advice is either find a local shop that carries various brands OR check out an online vendor like TriSports who will let you try on the suit, check it out, and exchange it if it doesn't work. With that latter option I recommend just biting the bullet and getting them to ship you one suit in every brand. Try them all out, pick one, and ship the rest back. The up front cost on your CC will be high, but you'll save TONS in shipping fees (which was the mistake I made).
Finally- a really great way to check out a wetsuit is to rent one for a race. There are a few online rental places or your local tri shop might offer that service as well. Additionally- I found a great deal at one of these kinda places a few years back on a "last year's rental suit" that they sold me for something like $50. Heck- I couldn't rent it for a day that cheap!
I think that's it!
Oh- one more thing. If you do go with TriSports, I highly recommend giving them a call and getting them to help you figure out the right size to order. They were super helpful and pointed me in the right direction when I finally just called them and got them to help me find something that would fit my apparently oddly shaped body!
mary
I ordered online from XTerra. There was a sizing chart and I wasn't sure, so I e-mailed them. They asked for a number of specific measurements from me and recommended a size I would never have picked on my own....it fit perfectly. I've also had great experience in getting correct sizes online with De Soto. I've had personal responses from the CEO as to size recommendations.
Make sure you include DeSoto in your comparisons. From my general grokking of product category, DeSoto users are a lot like ENers: they can not understand how they could have gone so long without the product, can't understand why 100% of the rest of the field don't use the product, and are more than happy to enjoy their little secret while the rest of the world gets it mostly wrong using the traditional methods.
Having said the above, I've never tried one. But it's the next tri-toy on my list.
addendum: Expect a bunch of used DeSoto suits to show up in various buy and sells and Classifieds once the new Water Rover comes online.
http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/promo/?utm_source=dec9blast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=70offandfreeshipping
Agreed. I really wanted a DeSoto because the flexibility of making a race day decision (short sleeve, long sleeve, or just bibjohn). Unfortunately, I just could not get the DeSoto tops to fit and I had to pass. ARG! In the end, it all comes down to fit.
For IM CDA you will probably want to race in a full suit. The water temp is usually in the high 50s or in a good year 60 ish. XTerra is having half off sale right now. The nice thing about DeSoto is that they have GREAT customer support. You can talk right to Emilio DeSoto a former pro triathlete and a good guy. Because it is a 2 piece wetsuit you can get a bottom that is a different size than the top if your anatomy is unusual. That is a nice way of saying if you are long torso or long legged you might think about DeSoto. Bottom line, wetsuits are like every other equipment purchase-it's a very much individual things.
One word of caution if you do not come from a swimming background. The wetsuit should feel "snug". The first couple of times it may feel like someone is trying to choke you when you put it on and go for a swim. Don't forget to lube your neck or else you may look like a teenager the morning after the prom with a bunch of "hickies".
Yano
x2 on the desoto wetsuit, and good analogy I am one of those desoto fans.
These are the easiest wetsuits to remove, flexible, reasonably priced, etc. Check them out as they have a rental program too.
http://www.f2r.com/
Vince
TriSports is a great store to deal with. I travel for work and was in Tucson and went by the store. They convinced me to start trying on different wetsuit's and get in their never ending pool. They spent a lot of time with me, I had my eye on one wetsuit but by the time we were done I decided on another which saved me about 100.00. Since the wetsuit was now wet, I left it there and when it was dry they shipped it to my house.
I needed a new wet suit this year and purchased a First Wave. Absolutely love it - it's snug yet really fleixible. The folks at De Soto were really helpful in getting me sized into the right suit, and the customer service has be fantastic. I put a small finger nail tear in the leg (long nails, fat thighs, ?) and De Soto repaired the damage free of charge.
DeSoto Water Rover. If it fits you reasonably well there really should be no further discussion. For cold water like CDA it will be perfect. The other companies will likely rush to put out products which match the design. I love having a two piece suit. Does not take any longer to get off and is super comfy.
In my 100+ triathlon career, I've used 4 wetsuits: a sleevless, a full sleeve Blue Seventy (back when it was Ironman), a DeSoto T1, and an Xterra Vendetta (purchased at one of their half-off offers). Hands down, the DeSoto is the best. While the Vendetta is smooth like velvet inside and out, and the multi-panel arms/shoulders allowe great freedom of movement, the DeSoto is just as fast on me, and has the following advantages:
1. Believe it or not, it's faster to get on and off.
2. With a down pull zipper starting in mid-back, there is NO neck chafing. And there is less water coming in at the neck - so it can be WARMER!
3. The design of the top moves the arms/shoulders into a forward position, perfect for swimming and sense of flexibility.
4. Replacement is easy, as you can mix and match top and bottom should need arise.
5. Customer service is AWESOME! I had an aggressive wet suit stripper at IM MOO rip a sholder strap; DeSoto fixed it free, with free return shipping.
6. When waiting for the start on a warm day, you can wear just the bottoms until just before entering the water, so you don't fry. Or, as mentioned above, in really "hot" water (for me, 73F and above), I can just wear the bottoms so I don't boil over.
When the 10 mm Water Rover comes out next year, I will buy the new Fat Bottom, giving me the best new suit for less than half the price. I can't really see the advantage of fat (10 mm) arms, as I am trying to keep my arms down under water, and don't want to fight the bouyancy.
I've had both the DeSoto and Xterra Vendetta now for two years. Thought I would relagate the De Soto to just training swims, but I have only used the Vendetta twice (both IM races), preferring the two piece. Since my times have not improved with the Vendetta, that may becom my training suit!
Finally, I have never heard or seen anyone say anything bad about DeSoto wet suits.
DeSoto choir member, here. I have freakishly long arms and torso, so the Desoto was one of the only wesuits that fit properly. My similarly proportioned sister really, really loves her Zoot wetsuit.
Adding to the discussion. Fit is extremely important if you want to truly have a comfortable swim. I swam in sleeveless for years due to the restriction I felt in a full suit. My experience with the T1 (1st edition without zipper) was not good. While I practiced many times, I could not get the hang of pulling the top off in transition. In addition, the bibs were very thick in the shoulder area and caused the same restriction that I felt with early full sleeve models.
While visiting an Ironman expo I tried a Blue Seventy Helix full suit. I instantly fell in love. The suit fit perfectly. Very snug but my arms feel as though there is zero restriction. The suit zips down and I do not need to use body glide for chaffing.
But remember, what works for me my not work for you. Try before you buy if possible.
I have a Zoot that I like very much, but my wife's XTERRA purchased on a super sale about a month ago for $99 for a full suit does not seem much different and is 1/4 the price. Would highly recommend checking out the XTERRA sale options.
FYI...TriSports.com seems to be having another wetsuit sale...
3 DAYS ONLY: 20% Off 2010 Triathlon Wetsuits. Place your order using coupon code WET20-E. Offer expires 6/11/2010.
www.trisports.com/email-special.html
I agree with Tom, fit is extremely important.
My first was desoto 2 piece I hated it, much too tight.
When I decided to purchase a new one, I found a shop that had an endless pool so I could actually swim in the suits before I laid my money down. Much better result, I now have an Orca which I love, really stretchy and easy to swim in.
Second fit. I just borrowed my sister's Zoot and now want to throw away my DeSoto, just because of the way it fits around the throat.
@ Beth - To each her own, of course. I LOVE my DeSoto, I guess I must have the right body shape for it. I LIKE the low neck, and especially the lack of any zipper or velcro at the back of my neck - no chance of getting a friction ulcer back there.
@Al -- This might be a lesson in to each his model -- The neck on my DeSoto is too high and the Zoot is perfect.