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Why aren't wetsuits more colorful?
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Fleck
Nov 6, 09 5:35
Post #26 of 52 (757 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [desert dude]
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But now you've added a whole layer to the complexity of color coordinating your kit with your bike.
Brian,
Not a big deal with guys, but for women this is key. We get this and have always given our women customers a choice and differentiated the women's suits from the men's with not just fit but colour as well.
Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck
markvoss
Nov 6, 09 6:29
Post #27 of 52 (709 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel]
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I think I've got the answer. I'm a duathlete, so maybe it takes an "outsider" like me to point something out that you probably know deep down when observing others at the Swim Start, but mentally block out when it might apply to you.
99% of age groupers do not look good in BLACK wetsuits. The even-less-than-average amount of natural insulation carried on your bodies is only augmented when covered in rubber. Think of this phrase: Neoprene encased body. Using any color lighter than black will only accentuate the bloated look even more.
I wish half of you could look like Michelle Pfeiffer or Halle Berry in your bodysuits. But that's not the look of a triathlon wetsuit no matter how incredible the body underneath.
Would you pay more than $500 for for a red or white (!!!) wetsuit that makes your hard-earned fit body look bloated and screams Look At Me?
C'mon, Fleck, you knew this.
Emilio
Nov 6, 09 7:15
Post #28 of 52 (683 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel]
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My take based on my experience in the wetsuit industry:
1. Anything other than black will show dirt easily. Remember most people step on their wetsuits in transition, and if they do not, the wetsuit rubs on the ground during removal.
2. We sold a Titanium colored wetsuit back in 2004 or so. We sold 100 black wetsuits for every 1 titanium. They looked pretty cool with a red and blue logo. We would not offer it again anytime soon.
3. Black is slimming on any body.
4. Black is the most popular selling color of any garment sold in the world (except for white underwear)
5. Black never goes out of style
6. Black keeps you warmer on cold mornings if the sun starts to beam down on you. This is something surfers have known for years before triathlon ever started.
7. The worst color you can make a wetsuit is blue. In order from best to worst-selling (tints, shades and primary colors only): Black, Silver, White, Red, Yellow, Blue,
Emilio De Soto II
emilio@desotosport.com
http://www.desotosport.com
Now Available: De Soto Compression Socks with Patented graduated compression for better recovery! A better sock for less money. As with all our products, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee...we believe if you test our product, you will keep it!
Rahzel
Nov 6, 09 7:21
Post #29 of 52 (672 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Emilio]
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My take based on my experience in the wetsuit industry:
<snip>
Thanks Emilio for your insight. I have two follow-up questions:
1. Desert Dude posted earlier that adding color to a wetsuit may make the wetsuit more porous. Do you find this to be true for your wetsuits?
2. As I mentioned in my original post, Promotion puts color "accents" in their wetsuits, giving the shoulders and underarm a bit of color, presumably for visibility purposes. To me, this seems like a good idea (perhaps even if color *does* make the wetsuit more porous). Why do you think most other wetsuit companies do not do this?
Thanks again for your post Emilio.
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TriBodyboarder
Nov 6, 09 7:23
Post #30 of 52 (669 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel]
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Here's a shot of me from about 19 or 20 years ago:
Now this was during a transition phase. Surfing fashion, wetsuits, etc. were horribly fluorescent in the late 80's, but some time in the early '90's, street/urban began to influence popular fashion way more than surf, and dark colors took over. Surfing wetsuits have remained black or mostly black since the early '90's. Just now we're seeing hints of a fluoro comeback, but it hasn't reached the wetsuit industry just yet, at least on the surfing side, but as Emilio mentioned, black wetsuits are infinitely warmer on sunny days, so that's pretty much all I wear as a result.
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(This post was
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Lilac J
Nov 6, 09 7:31
Post #31 of 52 (652 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [markvoss]
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x2. Isn't this obvious? I seem to gain 20 lbs in the worst places when I put on my wetsuit.
Although some color accent would be nice- I agree that women would like something to dress theirs up!
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desert dude
Nov 6, 09 7:37
Post #32 of 52 (645 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Fleck]
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Not a big deal with guys,
In Reply To:
Steve have you cut back on your ST reading time?
Brian Stover
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Fleck
Nov 6, 09 8:18
Post #33 of 52 (603 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [markvoss]
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C'mon, Fleck, you knew this.
Mark,
I am no fashion plate, but people in the know, have always said that, FWIW - "black is slimming" :)
Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck
jyeager
Nov 6, 09 8:24
Post #34 of 52 (595 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [MdotD]
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I watched a documentary on Great White sharks, and of all of the colors they baited, I think yellow got the most hits, so just make sure to keep away from that one and you'll be fine.
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That's interesting. I thought most shark attacks were mistaken identity and seals are black...What do Great Whites eat naturally that's yellow?
I saw a documentary once about Sea Snakes, which sharks avoid. I don't remember their test methodology but they found that they couldn't get sharks to attack someone with red and black stripes presummably because that pattern looked like the dangerous sea snake.
tribreck
Nov 6, 09 8:32
Post #35 of 52 (588 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [JoeO]
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Oh, come on! The only time most of us will EVER look anything like a superhero is when we're in a wetsuit! All that compression to squeeze in that gut and lovehandles. I would totally be in favor of superhero themed wetsuits. A Spiderman wetsuit would be friggin' awesome! Ironman, Fantastic Four. Probably need to stay away from guys w/ capes b/c you'd look half naked, but the options are HUGE!
UKathlete
Nov 6, 09 8:36
Post #36 of 52 (582 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel]
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Made to measure in colours of your choice.....
http://www.snuggwetsuits.co.uk/
monty
Nov 6, 09 9:27
Post #37 of 52 (540 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [QRgirl]
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Who's that hottie?
Most likley some douche bag that was not even a triathlete. Looks like some underwear model to me, probably drinks tea with his pinky up. And is that a sock in the crotch or what????
Emilio
Nov 6, 09 10:14
Post #38 of 52 (498 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel]
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In Reply To:
My take based on my experience in the wetsuit industry:
<snip>
Thanks Emilio for your insight. I have two follow-up questions:
1. Desert Dude posted earlier that adding color to a wetsuit may make the wetsuit more porous. Do you find this to be true for your wetsuits?
2. As I mentioned in my original post, Promotion puts color "accents" in their wetsuits, giving the shoulders and underarm a bit of color, presumably for visibility purposes. To me, this seems like a good idea (perhaps even if color *does* make the wetsuit more porous). Why do you think most other wetsuit companies do not do this?
Thanks again for your post Emilio.
1. I respectfully disagree with this comment....at least with regard to Yamamoto Rubber. The only thing that changes is the color of the ink used on the surface. Why would another color be more porous that black? I will say that other colors look porous. Remember that wetsuit rubber is black when it is made, and since all colors are lighter than black, when you add color to black, some of the black is going to show through. Imagine painting a black wall blue, or red or grey or even white with just one coat of paint. I think you get my drift.
2. Yes, much more visible, agreed, but how visible is an under-arm while swimming? Shoulders I can understand maybe, but if you want to be visible, why not make the entire arms a neon color? Why most companies don't do it? I cannot speak for them, but in focus groups we have held asking this similar question the most common responses (some quite surprising) are paraphrased below:
(from a fast swimmer) "I don't want to be more visible if I am leading. It just makes it easier for people to draft behind me."
(from a not-so-fast swimmer) "A wetsuit that makes me stand out lets people see how slow I really swim"
(from a female swimmer) "I do not want to draw attention to the way I look in a wetsuit, I want to blend in."
(from a water polo swimmer turned triathlete) "If I am crawling my way through a pack of swimmers in the wave ahead of me, and I mean grabbing feet, ankles, zippers and shoulders, I do not want people to recognize me by the color of my wetsuit."
YES, THE ABOVE REALLY HAPPENS. You actually move faster in the water by pushing off other people.
If you want to be more visible in open water swims and be more safe (especially if you are swimming alone or with a small group) is to get yourself a lifeguard rescue can and spray paint in neon yellow or orange. I swim at Windansea Beach instead of the Cove here in La Jolla, and I use one quite often. These cans are great for catching waves back in through the surfline. Plus it gives the lifeguards a pretty damn good idea that you know what you are doing
As for racing, you can always tie yellow "do not enter" tape around your triceps, waist, and knees.
Hmmm, this might make another Tip from Emilio post. I have not done one in long time.
Emilio De Soto II
emilio@desotosport.com
http://www.desotosport.com
Now Available: De Soto Compression Socks with Patented graduated compression for better recovery! A better sock for less money. As with all our products, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee...we believe if you test our product, you will keep it!
(This post was
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by Emilio on Nov 6, 09 10:15)
Rahzel
Nov 6, 09 10:21
Post #39 of 52 (488 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Emilio]
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Thank you very much for this informative post Emilio. I had not considered that it would be easier for people to draft off me, or recognize me if I'm swimming aggressively, if I'm wearing a brightly colored suit. Good points all around!
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Paul
Nov 6, 09 12:18
Post #40 of 52 (439 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [tribreck]
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A Spiderman wetsuit would be friggin' awesome! Ironman, Fantastic Four.
Awesome idea.. Although, i doubt u would want any superhero wetsuit that requires a face mask. Without a face mask, you would look a little wierd/naked.
Paul..
Super Fly TNT
Nov 6, 09 13:04
Post #41 of 52 (410 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Paul]
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Darryl "Flea" Virostko (Pro surfer, big wave legend) used to wear a Spiderman wetsuit some ten years ago. I think he had a Wolverine one too, even had the blades on the forearms and calfs.
TriBodyboarder
Nov 6, 09 14:26
Post #42 of 52 (368 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Paul]
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In Reply To:
A Spiderman wetsuit would be friggin' awesome! Ironman, Fantastic Four.
Awesome idea.. Although, i doubt u would want any superhero wetsuit that requires a face mask. Without a face mask, you would look a little wierd/naked.
These guys in Australia, Agent 18 wetsuits make some pretty funky designs:
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Paul
Nov 6, 09 14:45
Post #43 of 52 (355 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [TriBodyboarder]
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That Zebra suit is awesome. Definitely some Super Mario Cipollini would wear if he did tris.
Paul..
tribreck
Nov 6, 09 15:22
Post #44 of 52 (330 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Paul]
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In Reply To:
A Spiderman wetsuit would be friggin' awesome! Ironman, Fantastic Four.
Awesome idea.. Although, i doubt u would want any superhero wetsuit that requires a face mask. Without a face mask, you would look a little wierd/naked.
I don't know. A Spiderman wetsuit with a mirrored red pair of those big dorky mask/goggles that some guys where might look pretty sweet!
tribreck
Nov 6, 09 15:27
Post #45 of 52 (325 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Super Fly TNT]
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Ooh! I just thought of another superhero wetsuit that would be awesome: Venom. Wouldn't even take much to change it from a plain ol' black one!
Fleck
Nov 6, 09 15:28
Post #46 of 52 (325 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Paul]
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That Zebra suit is awesome.
Indeed it is. It get's eyes popping. It get's editors writing. It get's people looking. It looks great in a window display. But guess what happens when most consumers of technical and sports apparel do when get to the check-out and the cash register and are about to hand over the money - they buy either black or white and maybe a bit of navy blue!
That's also why you very often see these sorts of things at killer prices at the end of the year on clear-out and close-out racks at stores and at Expos.
Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck
bmanners
Nov 6, 09 16:09
Post #47 of 52 (309 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Fleck]
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Did you same guys not rip into sneakyspeed for wearing a spiderman outfit? Tried to search but could not find.
canwi
Nov 6, 09 20:59
Post #48 of 52 (258 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [monty]
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somehow they were able to rinse out the grey in his hair.............then again I guess tha was some years ago?:)
IRONwolf
Nov 6, 09 21:08
Post #49 of 52 (257 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel]
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because that would be gay.
that should answer your question.
As it turns out, what you have is less important than what you do with it...
-Bernd Heinrich, why we run
Cannonball
Nov 7, 09 3:52
Post #50 of 52 (227 views)
Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Boudreaux]
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hereyago....
And this is why they are now mostly solid black, these guys look lame! When I look at this for some reason I hear Cool and the Gang playing in the background....LAME!
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