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To speed suit, or not to speed suit, that is the question

GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
in General Training Discussions

 Starting to think about the IMTX non-wetsuit swim and what to wear.  Pros/cons and experiences with a speed suit (a WTC legal one of course).

Comments

  • 3forme3forme

     

    Hey Bob,

    Bear in mind that I've never worn one so I'm just speculating here. I just looked online and you can expect a 1.9% to 2.2% improvement in your overall swim time wearing one of those things. I'm assuming that % factors in having a good swimming position and I would also assume that the worse your position is in the water, the less gains you'll see from wearing a speed suit. Based on those percentages, with an hour swim time, you could theoretically knock off 1 min to a 1.5 min. Subtract that with the time it takes to remove that VERY TIGHT speed suit, and my guess is that you've probably negated most it. My oldest wears speed suit jammers for summer league and it takes a bit of work to take that thing off of him. I don't know if that helps you any but it's food for thought.

     


    From what I've read, this top can be worn throughout the bike and run as well, thus not having to jack with it in T1.

    Sorry RnP for not wearing your tri top but the company I work for is paying for my race so I'm kinda obligated to sport their logo.
  • atasicatasic

     I think David gave you a solid advice even with what to wear. The generation 1 speed suit, Xterra Velocity ++ gave me about 1sec/100m. I am a swimmer, with sound body position and technique.

    The generation 2 speed suits are made of fabric and are slower than gen. 1 suits. I will not be wearing one. I will be wearing that exact top David pointed you to with Forza Riviera shorts in all distance events.

    In my humble opinion, the new suits are not worth investment for anyone but pros trying to make money. Not even FOP AGers are in my opinion standing to gain anything. I can eat that difference on anyone during the bike leg or a more efficient T1. Save the money.

    If you want to wear EN top, you can test it under 78 degree top. You will have to create a rip cord possibly for it in order to take it off in T1.

    EN top has a pocket in the back. It will be fine under the wetsuit or speed suit but in open will create some drag. How much, don't know. It is a beautiful top and I will have it under 78 degree top that I will be taking off in T1.

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    I wonder if it would be faster to go shirtless or wear the DeSoto 78 degree top (w/EN top underneath). Basically, is it faster to put on a tri top when wet (I've done it before and it can be gnarly) or take off the 78 degree top?
  • atasicatasic

     Desoto claims that 78 degree top is faster than bare skin. I cannot put anything on my wet skin. Takes too much effort and time.

    I did put 78degree top on to try, never swam in it. Cannot tell. It does fit as tight as the speed suit does.

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    The other option is DeSoto's Liftfoil suit which is a speed suit and tri suit all in one. It has the same pad as the Riviera shorts. Of course, I already have two pairs of Riviera shorts so I could just buy the 78 degree top for $70 and not the $190 Liftfoil suit. I think I may have just answered my own question.
  • jelmermdjelmermd
    check out this price on the 78 degree
    http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/17359.htm
  • jelmermdjelmermd
    oops, thread is a year old...didn't catch the date
    interested any new thoughts on speed suits, thought
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