Swim Skin Preference/Choice?

kurshing

 I am doing IM Texas in May.  As such, I am anticipating NOT being able to use a tri suit.  I figure now is as good of a time as ever to get a swim skin since I live in Memphis, TN and I will probably be able to use if more often than my wetsuit anyways.

So, here are the two I am looking at:  TYR Torque (Elite model - $250), and the Desoto Liftfoil Speedsuit ($200)

I know we get a discount on Desoto products (25%), so, that is appealing to me.  However, I also have read that the Torque Elite is basically the same as the B level speedskin worn by the Olympic swimmers...which 'sounds' good to me.  I like the fact that I COULD wear the Desoto as an entire raceday trisuit solution (especially in shorter races)...but, speed-wise, the TYR 'seems' like it is the superior swimskin.

Thoughts?  Experiences with either?  Other suggestions?

(I am waiting to hear from TYR, I may also be able to receive a 40% discount on their suit because of my membership at Lifetime Fitness.)

GMAN 19030

I have a Desoto Liftfoil that I wore for two non-wetsuit races last year. I like it but I don't have anything to compare it to as it's my first speedsuit. The pad in the Desoto is the same pad found in their Riviera tri shorts and it'll blow away the pad in the Tyr in both comfort and buoyancy (it's a "float" pad).

[Deleted User]

@Stephen...if you are a USAT member you also get a Tyr discount.

novaavant

I have the Desoto and wore it in Miami 70.3 last year. The pad does float, it's comfortable and with the discount I don't think you can go wrong.

Paul Hough

I have a Kiwami Konami and Kiwami Amphibian. Both are tri suits and excellent skin suits in their own right. I use the Amphibian as my sprint/olympic suit. It is an ITU style suit w zipper in the rear, zero pockets, and sheds water like it has a Rain-X coating. The Konami is a long course suit and has one rear pocket and a zipper in the front. I used it for the San Juan 70.3 last week and will go with it again for St Croix, but I think I'll go with the EN outfit for Cozumel and use the Amphibian as a swim skin over it. I believe the differences between the various skin suits are minimal, and the second generation WTC-legal skin suits are not as good as the first-generation that WTC banned. So why pay top dollar for a skin suit that you can get very little use out of? Something like the Kiwami Amphibian or DeSoto Liftfoil is a lot more bang for the buck. As to superior solution...I've yet to see anything that Tyr Suits are superior beyond their marketing department. Half (or more?) of the advantage from the 2nd generation suits is in the compression, not the material. Proper sizing gets you that in any of them. Check slowtwitch for some good threads on this topic.

kurshing

That is what I kind of figured - since the WTC made the changes to the rules, I figured it about removed the differences between the suits.

So, I can do the Desoto at with the discount or find a big sale and be good to go?

I think my 'rules' will be no pockets and easy of 'exit' from suit (which I don't think will be a big deal in a swim skin).

MattAaronson

I bought the torque although I'm sucha terrible swimmer I can barely justify using it...

Larry Peters

Thanks for the helpful discussion team!