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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations?

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nealhe

Nov 18, 08 22:37

Post #1 of 29 (1006 views)

No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations?	Can't Post

Hello All,

What do you like in swim gear (no fins) for no wetsuit swims Ironman distance?

I see Speedo LZR Racer suit at $550 - Ouch!

Blue Seventy Point Zero at $225 - better price ..... is it worth it?

What other brands and has there been any objective testing compared to just a speedo swim suit?

Anybody make add ons like leg warmers that would come off easy in transition leaving you in a tri suit?

What do you think?

Cheers,

Neal

Tai

Nov 18, 08 23:31

Post #2 of 29 (997 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you might want to do a bit of browsing on slowtwitch to find your answer but a few tips...

-Lzr racer, a bit hard to put on and off for the swim, not what you are looking for
-Blue Seventy, very nicely made, probably the most popular suit on the market, worn in the Olympics and now holds some world records even in the pool, if you're going to spend the money spend it here or on a similar suit
-Lots of other suits similar to the Blue Seventy on the market. 2XU, Zoot, Xterra, Orca... lots

Zip off leg pieces????????? Seriously, not a good idea. You can race short course in some of these suits if you really want to. They get a bit hot on the run but it's doable
www.SUPERTRIATHLETE.com www.TAIGRAPHX.com
supertriathlete.com is under construction, should be done soon..

For ordering info, please email me at tai@taigraphx.com, PMs are great but please use them for ST stuff only:) thanks!

show pony

Nov 19, 08 0:12

Post #3 of 29 (991 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Neal, check out this link:

http://xterrawetsuits.com/...amp;Product_Code=VEL

A proven suit at 50% off.

I ordered one.

ride for show...run for dough

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
- Muhammad Ali

Record10Carbon

Nov 19, 08 0:22

Post #4 of 29 (989 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Simple,

Some fins, I mean the big ones that are used for deep diving records. Some webbed gloves that make you more like a duck than a human. A snorkel...sure you have to have a snorkel. I would also suggest that you wear your SwiMP3 player to keep tempo in the water to music that you enjoy in your travels.

Sure sure you cant wear a wetsuit...but in your thong Speedo (of course a thong and good shave is the fastest suit you can get)...the fins and the gloves, all rockin to some killer beats will get you out of the water and to your Moped at the front of the pack.

littlefoot

Nov 19, 08 6:55

Post #5 of 29 (934 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you fit a zoot speedzoot size M I will sell you mine (worn one time) that has been laying on my guest bed since August. I bought it for 200 and will send it to you for 130 including shipping. It is sweet.

ATC

Nov 19, 08 7:39

Post #6 of 29 (894 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Rocket Science Rocket Skin! We recently got some in and I swam in one of these at a race and it was by far faster than ANY other skinsuit I have swam in. I kinda felt like a cheater since it is noticibly faster than without.

-Adam
http://www.austintricyclist.com
http://austintriathlonstore.blogspot.com/

-Tex

Nov 19, 08 8:39

Post #7 of 29 (866 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [ATC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah, but I don't think that you can use the Rocket Science Swim Skin in a WTC event. You can't use long armed suits if I'm remembering correctly. You can use it for USAT events, and even though you have to have a USAT license for Ironman events, I don't think they are legal for NASports or WTC events.

I would go Xterra, BlueSeventy, and the others...in that order.

Brandon Marsh
http://www.brandonmarsh.com

Fleck

Nov 19, 08 8:57

Post #8 of 29 (862 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

A apologize for the blatant plug, but Nineteen will be coming out with our new Frequency SS (speed-skin) next year - available starting next February at select Nineteen dealers. MSRP - $250

The picture below is of Jeff Keil at Ironman Hawaii. Jeff was the 5th placed Amateur at the World Championships and finished 2nd in the very competitive 35 - 39 AG. He swam to a 3 minute PB swim split in Kona wearing the new Nineteen Frequency SS!

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

Macho Grande

Nov 19, 08 9:14

Post #9 of 29 (845 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [show pony] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just out of curiosity, does the XTerra have a pull in the back or a small zipper tab? A pull leash is easy to use, but if it doesn't have one, then that's a problem./

Bob
----------------------------------------------------------

machogrande.wordpress.com
(Updated December 1 with "Philly Marathon RR: Apeasing the Marathon Gods.")

LazyEP

Nov 19, 08 10:32

Post #10 of 29 (817 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

At the risk of being flippant, why not invest the $$$ into private swim lessons & coaching? Is this simply a case of nuclear arms proliferation where if he has it, I must have it also? If you're going low to sub-50 for the swim then invest, but otherwise perfect practice, perfect practice.

"It's not the age sweetheart. It's the mileage."
Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr.

show pony

Nov 19, 08 10:37

Post #11 of 29 (809 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [Macho Grande] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Bob, there's some literature here on the functionality of the Xterra zipper...do a quick search, probably on MarkyV

edit to add...not MarkyV but here's some anecdotal stuff:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...t_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

ride for show...run for dough

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
- Muhammad Ali

(This post was edited by show pony on Nov 19, 08 12:23)

Fleck

Nov 19, 08 10:49

Post #12 of 29 (790 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [Macho Grande] [In reply to]	Can't Post

A pull leash is easy to use, but if it doesn't have one, then that's a problem.

Bob,

Agreed. The Nineteen Frequency SS will have a lighter weight leash on it. It does not need to be as heavy as a regular wetsuit leash, because the fabric on the SS is much lighter weight and thinner than the wetsuit neoprene.

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

Overdistance

Nov 19, 08 11:30

Post #13 of 29 (773 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

X2 of Fleck's Nineteen suit. Nice fit and great performance.

Brian

TomP_imc

Nov 20, 08 0:07

Post #14 of 29 (696 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi,

As with the wetsuits, it comes down to how the cut of the Skins fit your build. They do need to fit over your intended race outfit.

The same basic rules to putting it on and fit apply as well.

It should take 4-8 minutes to put on correctly (not the 20-45 minutes of the swimmers in their LZRs and Neros) If it is on in 2 or 3 minutes, it is too big.,the right size will feel a bit alarming on dry land get it high in the crotch and torso pre-loaded up to the shoulders, pre-start, get in the water and fluff some water in the suit and optimize how the suit fits on you.

The trend is toward mid calf cuts (you can live with above the knee) is nice as the absence of another tight gripper on the quad is helpful for blood flow in the leg. Some of the companies are beginning to use quick release zippers (flip the toggle "up", and flare the shoulders and "boom", down it goes. Other companies are using conventional zippers with leashes

Top brands are all better than no swim skin at all, no true testing has shown a good/better/best ranking. Much credit must go to companies who stress the aquatic category (Blue Seventy, XTerra and Nineteen come to mind) over companies who do a swim skin in conjunction with 3 or more other apparel categories.

As Alex @ Blue Seventy said in a related thread, the newest generation of "swim only" swim skin are cut dramatically tighter and mimic a different build than the typical adult triathlete. They are much, much tighter everywhere, especially the neck and legs, cut of the arm holes varies. Do note that speedy removal of these suits is a big problem (and NOT a design criteria anyways) and does heavily tip the scales back to well engineered tri-specific swimskin.

How much time they save in the water varies from suit to suit and swimmer to swimmer. They are not close to the speed boost of a wetsuit, but when the events says no wetsuit, they are faster than skin or race day garments. What you do gain is the opportunity to already have your race outfit on and properly fitted underneath, and that can count for minutes and gobs of comfort over the day.

Happy Swimming
Tom

Herbert

Nov 20, 08 5:12

Post #15 of 29 (678 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The Speedo LZR is a pool only suit and doesn't have the durability of a suit like the blueseventy pointzero3. In Hawaii this year (where wetsuits aren't legal) it looked like 70% of the filed was using a swimskin, and most of them were sporting the blueseventy.

There are other choices like Zoot, Nineteen, XTERA, 2XU, Orca, Aquaman and Sailfish.

As for the speed getting them off, that really isn't an issue with the swimskins. I use a blueseventy pointzero+ (long legs) and it comes off super fast.

sdtrigirl

Nov 21, 08 15:58

Post #16 of 29 (603 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [Herbert] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I wear De Soto and LOVE it. Lower price point too. Check it out:

http://www.desotosport.com/...ials&ProdID=WLF9

RBR

Dec 4, 08 21:53

Post #17 of 29 (482 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [TomP_imc] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You mean a suit like the xterra

http://xterrawetsuits.com/...amp;Product_Code=VEL

should take 4 - 8 mins to put on?

If so maybe I bought mine too big.

fulla

Dec 4, 08 22:02

Post #18 of 29 (479 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [show pony] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Neal, check out this link:

http://xterrawetsuits.com/...amp;Product_Code=VEL

A proven suit at 50% off.

I ordered one.

when are you ever gonna do a non wetsuit swim here in nz?!?!? heh

Fleck

Dec 5, 08 6:29

Post #19 of 29 (430 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [RBR] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If so maybe I bought mine too big.

Possibly. Like wetsuits, swim-skins need to fit tight to work well. There is a big difference between how they feel dry vs. how they feel when wet in the water. They will loosen up a bit when wet and in the water. There is a general trend, when buying wetsuits or swim-skins for people to buy them too big. If you have to do this, it could be a tell-tale sign that you are in the wrong brand for you. Like wetsuits, the different brands are going to have slightly different fit. However, everyone's tolerance for this is a bit different.

Be sure to try your swim-skin on, with whatever you would wear under it on race day.

I would suggest only looking at the three-quarter length leg suits - bottom line, more coverage of the swim-skin material means more speed.

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

Andre Bennatan

Dec 5, 08 7:22

Post #20 of 29 (390 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [nealhe] [In reply to]	Can't Post

And dont forget the Kiwami's Torpedo.

Incredibly fast and at a very attractive price.

(Sorry for the infomercial!)

Kiwami US
http://www.kiwamitri.com
contact@kiwamitri.com

FLA Jill

Dec 5, 08 8:30

Post #21 of 29 (360 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Proper competitive swimwear is definitely supposed to seem decidedly too tight. For the swim teams I was on, the standard was to go at least two sizes down when you went from practice suit to what you wore for meets.

show pony

Dec 5, 08 15:12

Post #22 of 29 (293 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [fulla] [In reply to]	Can't Post

when are you ever gonna do a non wetsuit swim here in nz?!?!? heh

I'm not, but my next IM won't be NZ, nor will it be wetsuit-legal... ;)

ride for show...run for dough

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
- Muhammad Ali

Fleck

Dec 5, 08 15:41

Post #23 of 29 (285 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [FLA Jill] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Proper competitive swimwear is definitely supposed to seem decidedly too tight.

Jill,

No triathlete would wear a swimsuit as tight as the swimmers in the pool are wearing the Speedo Lazer. Part of the advantage of a suit like the Lazer is the compression that it is delivering to the body and larger muscle groups.

I still contend that in an effort for them to be comfortable, more than a few triathletes are wearing both wetsuits and swim-skins that are too loose/big.

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

show pony

Dec 5, 08 15:43

Post #24 of 29 (285 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [RBR] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You mean a suit like the xterra

http://xterrawetsuits.com/...amp;Product_Code=VEL

should take 4 - 8 mins to put on?

I'd say yes, and I'm somewhat surprised to say that. Just wore my 0.02 at the pool (saltwater) for the second time this morning. When I think about it, yes it does take a while to put on. The purpose of the suit is to reduce drag so if you really want to get the most out of it (or its B70, Nineteen, DS, etc equivalents), you need to make sure you smooth out all creases, bumps & ripples...this is the time-consuming part and it involves adjusting and re-adjusting where the legs grip, the fit around the crotch & shoulders, and smoothing our whatever undergarments you're wearing beneath. Of course when pool-swimming (with stops & turns) they're going to bunch up again, but if you at least make a good habit of fitting it correctly each time you should get some benefit from it on raceday when you're swimming constantly in the horizontal position for which it was designed.

ride for show...run for dough

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ''Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.''
- Muhammad Ali

PERDIDDY

Dec 7, 08 12:56

Post #25 of 29 (207 views)

Re: No Wetsuit Swim Legal Swim Suit - Recommendations? [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

echo to that, I finally got aggressive with the sizing and went down a size below what the charts say and it made a huge positive difference.

-Justin

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