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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Why aren't wetsuits more colorful?

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Rahzel

Nov 5, 09 12:21

Post #1 of 52 (2117 views)

Why aren't wetsuits more colorful?	Can't Post

Other than the Promotion wetsuits, it seems like most wetsuits are black black black. To me, I'd want my wetsuit to be colorful, both for visibility/safety concerns and vanity (e.g. so my friends/family can spot me more easily in the water at races, and so I can look cooler than everyone else).

Why is this? Are colored wetsuits more difficult to manufacture/maintain/market?
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desert dude

Nov 5, 09 12:27

Post #2 of 52 (2105 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

ahh the good old days of the Aleeda wet suit.

I think, if I remember correctly, it's bc they have to shave the top layer of the neoprene to get the colored dye to penetrate hence making it more porous.

Brian Stover Accelerate3 Coaching, Blog
Save at TriSports.com - use code BSTOV-S when placing your order

FJB

Nov 5, 09 12:59

Post #3 of 52 (2030 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Maybe because there is too much colour in cycling jerseys that they want to balance things out.

djciii

Nov 5, 09 13:04

Post #4 of 52 (2010 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

because it is harder to cut the course, get your fins and swim the second lap with a colorful wetsuit...seems obvious to me
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bermudabill

Nov 5, 09 13:12

Post #5 of 52 (1976 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

so when you are punching, clawing and swimming over someone it doesn't look like a person... more like a baby seal!

______________________________________
"Competetive sport begins where healthy sport ends"

leavintown

Nov 5, 09 13:57

Post #6 of 52 (1902 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

go buy a surfing wetsuit! haha as long as you dont mind little to no mobility in your shoulders you can be anything from a zebra to a otter pop.

LazyEP

Nov 5, 09 17:26

Post #7 of 52 (1760 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Why don't car tires come in color?
Sean Phelps
"It's not the age sweetheart. It's the mileage."
Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr.

runningfoo

Nov 5, 09 17:29

Post #8 of 52 (1753 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

A guy in the wave in front of me wore a wetsuit with red arms once. I kept mistaking him for the buoys and having to correct course.

cerveloguy

Nov 5, 09 17:52

Post #9 of 52 (1729 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't get ti either. Everybody knows that red and yellow are the fastest colors.:-)

Darrell

Nov 5, 09 18:11

Post #10 of 52 (1695 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The original DeSoto T1 was silver if I'm not mistaken.

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Titanflexr

Nov 5, 09 18:24

Post #11 of 52 (1672 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Darrell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

The original DeSoto T1 was silver if I'm not mistaken.

.

Yeah, it was offered in silver with pink lettering. It was great for helping my family spot me coming out of the swim.

QR also had one with a silver chest back in the day:

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Fleck

Nov 5, 09 18:47

Post #12 of 52 (1635 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

We have added some very cool colours to the 2010 Nineteen wetsuit line. The suits are still for the most part black, but we have expanded the colour panels and accents in 2010 on both the Pipeline and Tsunami models. We are the only wetsuit company that offer a choice of two colours for men and women in wetsuits with our Pipeline model.

Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
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desert dude

Nov 5, 09 19:04

Post #13 of 52 (1603 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

But now you've added a whole layer to the complexity of color coordinating your kit with your bike.

Brian Stover Accelerate3 Coaching, Blog
Save at TriSports.com - use code BSTOV-S when placing your order

snoots

Nov 5, 09 19:08

Post #14 of 52 (1596 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Any customer can have any car painted any color they want, as long as it's black... Henry Ford.

Seriously, IMO, wetsuit manufacturers should resist the impulse to add multiple colours - it complicates the whole inventory system both at wholesale and at retail...

JoeO

Nov 5, 09 20:48

Post #15 of 52 (1510 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

At this point, I think I would actually prefer it (at least compared to the current situation) if all wetsuits, bikes and cycling/triathlon clothes were all one dull color. I will never understand why cyclists/triathletes need to dress up like superheroes.

(Or is it that the manufacturers feel the need to dress us up that way?)

(This post was edited by JoeO on Nov 5, 09 20:49)

QRgirl

Nov 5, 09 21:31

Post #16 of 52 (1479 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Titanflexr] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Who's that hottie?

MdotD

Nov 5, 09 22:02

Post #17 of 52 (1453 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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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bristri

Nov 5, 09 22:27

Post #18 of 52 (1435 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [QRgirl] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm straight, but this guy is kind'a the shit, eh? Rico suav'e, no:)

lhogben

Nov 5, 09 22:45

Post #19 of 52 (1424 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

We could start a movement...lunch counter sit in or maybe boycott a bus line.

QBall

Nov 6, 09 0:08

Post #20 of 52 (1384 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [MdotD] [In reply to]	Can't Post

IIRC - sharks are attracted to contrasting colors - so once you get the colored wetsuit, don't swim so close to me!;)

bmcmaster11

Nov 6, 09 3:39

Post #21 of 52 (1320 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just a guess: Black absorbs the most heat. The original point of a wet suit was to keep you warm. Then it changed to make you faster.

jaretj

Nov 6, 09 4:04

Post #22 of 52 (1292 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Darrell] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I picked up a silver on off Ebay a year ago for something like $60.

I like the red Orca has in their suits. I think QR has Blue, Silver and Black in their suits, that looks really good to me.

jaretj

2010 Races:
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Long Course Nationals
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Boudreaux

Nov 6, 09 4:08

Post #23 of 52 (1289 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

hereyago....

"you know, aero trumps training ;-) "
R10C 10/09

slowerthanslow

Nov 6, 09 4:27

Post #24 of 52 (1265 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Boudreaux] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

hereyago....

Is that Carrot Top on the far left? Had no idea he was in the sport!

snoots

Nov 6, 09 5:00

Post #25 of 52 (1245 views)

Re: Why aren't wetsuits more colorful? [Boudreaux] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

hereyago....

The guy right in the middle CLEARLY has the coolest wetsuit - it's INVISIBLE... ;)

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