Wetsuits

Bomber

 I know we have been discussing (a variant of) this topic a few times before, but I'm going to bring it up anyway   :

This weekend when I was walking arounf the expo in Roth (and thought my luggage was gone)...I had a good look at the newer wetsuits...

I noticed that some of the wetsuits - especially the TYR and Speedo ones now have small 'folds' in the arm to help catch the water..

This did not exist when I bought my wetsuit (8-9 years ago) and I can't help but think that this is quite clever - and probably worth a few minutes over the 2.4M.

Probably not that easy to see, but here is an image of the wetsuit: http://store.speedo.com/webapp/wcs/...Id%3D88352

 

Any thoughts?

 

delesh

I have read some articles on the theory of how this can help in swimming. Most conclusions were that it would help a little with the surface friction of the forearm (a few seconds at best, not minutes) and that the position of the forearm during the pull is what results in the most friction and hence propulsion. I should note that my wetsuit does have these catch panels

Bob Irwin

Interesting - I have a fold on my wetsuit at the cuff - the sleeves are too long. It also helps with taking off the wetsuit over my garmin 310 - when i get out of the water, I unfold it, and it covers the garmin when I peel off the suit.

Paul Hough

Wish I could point you to the exact article, but I read in Lava or Inside Triathlon (or somewhere) that those catch panels were PURE MARKETING BS. The theory behind them did not pan out in the real world. However, the article went on to say that catch panels have been added to most manufacturers' high end suits not because they actually work, but simply because of sales competition (i.e., consumers believe they hype and insist on the panels).

kjanracing

Jan and I went to a TYR wet suit demo party at Swim Labs where you could try a new TYR Hurricane,(has catch panels). I swam one and then put on my old Blue Seventy low end wetsuit. I didn't really notice a lot of difference. Probably the best test would be to swim each in a race but I think there may be enough variables to not be able to really tell, at least at my ability level. That said, I did buy a TYR Hurricane cat 3 and really like it.

Al Truscott

Here's a thought: don't we know that tires WITHOUT any grooves hold the road better than ones WITH grroves? Same idea probably applies when trying to "grip" water.

And here's my own experience: I am no faster in my Xterra with the little grooves in the forearm than in my De Soto without.

Also, Dan Empfield claims that he researched this with prototypes back when he was designing and selling the original triahtlon wetsuits with Quintana Roo in the last millenium - and found no grooves was faster. He was also the design consultant on the De Soto suits.

Michael Byerts

When I see independently verified results that confirm that catch panels are faster, I'll believe it. Until them I think it's marketing BS.

kjanracing

The one difference I notice about the TYR in general and the catch panel is the catch panel is thinner and gives me a better feel for the water. The TYR overall feels much less like swimming in a condom than my old wetsuit.

Bomber

This is great feedback guys, Thanks :-)