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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
New Wetsuit?

 
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lulu

Aug 26, 08 5:54

Post #1 of 6 (197 views)
New Wetsuit? Can't Post
How do you know when you need a new wetsuit? I have a 4-year-old IM Stealth Sleeveless. Love it. Its nice and squishy and easy to take off, AND my swim times continue to go lower and lower. Only one tear that was repaired. The full sleeve ones look pretty interesting, but I'm old school. Chrissie Wellington rules.


cerveloguy

Aug 26, 08 6:16

Post #2 of 6 (177 views)
Re: New Wetsuit? [lulu] [In reply to] Can't Post
There has been very little changes in the sleeveless wetsuits over the years. If you like it then you may as well keep it.

Different story for the full wetsuits as there have been some significant improvements in the flexibility of the shoulder/arm areas. I have an older full QR wetsuit that is due for an update for this reason.

"OK, I'll admit I screwed up the facts"


Fleck

Aug 26, 08 7:16

Post #3 of 6 (131 views)
Re: New Wetsuit? [lulu] [In reply to] Can't Post
I would say that the normal life span of moderate to heavy use of a wetsuit is 4 - 5 years. Depending on how the suit has been treated, the rubber does start to decay at some point and break down - UV exposure and heat will accelerate the breakdown. Some rubbers stiffen up others become more flexible. It has more to do with the jersey backing on the suit( the material on the inside) than the rubber itself.

If you want to stay with a sleeveless suit, by all means shop for a new sleeveless suit. However, if you take your time and look for the brand and size that fits you best, then you will be better off in a full sleeve suit.

I will warn you ahead of time that at this time of the year selection at many retail stores is low as the peak wetsuit selling season for most of North America is past.

Hope this helps.

Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com


fred_h

Aug 26, 08 7:22

Post #4 of 6 (124 views)
Re: New Wetsuit? [Fleck] [In reply to] Can't Post
[by all means shop for a new sleeveless suit. ... then you will be better off in a full sleeve suit.]
Steve,
Why one would be better with a full sleeve suit?

Thanks,
Fred.


Fleck

Aug 26, 08 7:35

Post #5 of 6 (108 views)
Re: New Wetsuit? [fred_h] [In reply to] Can't Post
Why one would be better with a full sleeve suit?

This has been debated here a number of times. The final say on this, really has to be Dan Empfield, the Publisher of Slowtwitch and the inventor of the triathlon wetsuit. Dan knows, and according to him, full-sleeve suits are better.

The main reasons that I can see are:

1. It's faster
2. It's warmer - which gives you more range of water to swim in
3. Less neck chafing issues
4. Less water in the suit which makes you faster.




Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com


lulu

Aug 26, 08 7:41

Post #6 of 6 (98 views)
Re: New Wetsuit? [Fleck] [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks, Steve. I plan to finish out the season with it (through IMFLA) then go from there.