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Swim gear for Louisville (or any non wetsuit long course)

jelmermdjelmermd
in General Training Discussions

 I'm looking for advice on swimwear for a nonwetsuit long course swim.  I'm trying to maximize speed in the water, but also in transition.  Is the best strategy to wear a WTC legal speed skin over the tritop and shorts, then strip it off and go in T1?  In a hot race is it prudent to just use one outfit like a Desoto Liftfoil with no change at all?  Does this provide enough cushion for a long course?  And which brands has anyone had good success with?  

Comments

  • kurshingkurshing
    Swim skin with your favorite long course gear is for sure my vote.  Taking that thing off won't change your race time-wise.  Wearing it can be up to 1:00-1:15 faster apparently. 

     

    I am talking about IM distance specifically. 
  • Joseph LombardiJoseph Lombardi

    I purchased the XTerra Speed Suit (M) for Louisville last year.  I think if your concerned with a speedy transition..no problem wearing your gear underneath...becuase it was my first full IM...and was opting for comfort on the bike v speed through T1 I just work shorts under the speedsuit and made a full change into cylce bibs in T1...but either way the speed suit is great.

  • Coach PatrickCoach Patrick
    Yes to speedsuit as you'll want something to hold your tri kit in. Even the tightest kit moves on your when wet....
  • jelmermdjelmermd
    Anyone have personal experience with one or more the most recent swim skins they are selling? Any data on differences in speed gains? TYR? Xterra? Zoot? BlueSeventy? The choices are dizzying, but where's the data? Or are differences too slight to matter...
  • Joseph LombardiJoseph Lombardi

     My view is that it is hardly worth the mental energy comparing to deeply....simply consider that they will be faster than swimming in a trisuit/swimsuit but slower than in you normal wetsuit....I figure I'm 10-15sec/100yd in a wetsuit v no suit...with the Xterra speedsuit 5-10sec.Faster...than no suit.......

     

  • novaavantnovaavant
    I have the DeSoto Swimskin. It has a floating pad in it that is good for short distance races so your transitions are practically nothing and it's also great for all non-wetsuit events. The new models are non-rubberized so they are legal in WTC events. It's comfortable, gives you a slight lift, and with the EN discount it's a good deal IMHO.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    the cheap xterra skin is fine and good.    maybe the cheapest option with their periodic sales?

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