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De Soto Wetsuits

mts

Dec 27, 02 13:21

Post #1 of 15 (3742 views)

De Soto Wetsuits	Quote \| Reply

I've done some research and I'm considering buying a De Soto wetsuit. What are your opinions about them? Any positive/negative experiences?

Thanks,

Matt

Tom Demerly

Dec 27, 02 14:21

Post #2 of 15 (3717 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Dan Empfield told me (two years ago at Chicago Tri Expo) that this was the way he'd be making wetsuits if he was still doing it. He recommended I contact Emilio and buy a suit from him to try. I haven't done it though. I use a QR Superfull, it is absolutely amazing, and an Aquaman Bionik, also quite nice. I would like to try a two piece suit. I am a horrid swimmer so all the help I can get. Tremendous controversy over getting the two piece suits off, but my understanding is once you learn how it is as fast or faster than a one piece.

Tom Demerly
Editor, TriSports University
http://university.trisports.com/

mts

Dec 27, 02 14:37

Post #3 of 15 (3712 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [Tom Demerly] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Thanks, Tom. I've heard that two-piece suits can be difficult to take off, yet De Soto's marketing propaganda is pretty convincing.

Mark

Dec 27, 02 14:56

Post #4 of 15 (3704 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I bought a T1 wetsuit from Emilio at last year's Wildflower. I have used a lot of different wetsuits over the last ten years, and this is by far the most comfortable, and also the warmest.

As for them being difficult to get off, they are the first few times you try it. Once you learn the technique though, they are just as fast as any other wetsuit to get off. It only took me 1-2 times to learn the technique so not much worry there.

I just added a Dos vest so that I have a sleeveless option for warmer days.

JustJulian

Dec 27, 02 14:56

Post #5 of 15 (3703 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I got hold of a T1, here in England, mid way through last season after my Orca was showing signs of wear and have only good to say about it. The lack of zip gives an incredible amount of flex in the back and shoulders, which reduced the fatigue factor.
It is true that you need to learn how to get in and out of it, but didn't you have to with your first suit? There is a video demo on the DSS/T1 site,but basically keep the body rolled up inside out and roll it down your body once you have your head and shoulders in. To get out of the top, cross your arms and grab the hem of the top,keep your elbows in to the sides and lift it over your head keeping the hem outside your elbows.
I used it in Half IM UK and passed 20 odd people whilst running and removing my suit as they were contorting to get their zips undone. It's fast in the water because you save energy and fast out because of the absence of a zip.
All told a good buy. Goodbye!

Julian

"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS

GM

Dec 27, 02 15:18

Post #6 of 15 (3694 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [jk_allen13] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have been in the sport 20 years now, am a strong swimmer, and have used many wetsuits in that time. The T1 is by far the fastest I've used. I previously felt very constricted in long sleeve suits but the T1 is amazing! With the 2 piece construction there is no constriction and I get full reach and extension. It is a bit tricky at first to get off. I just can't seem to do it like Emilio does in the demo video but I found that if I bend over in waist deep water it slides right off. Certainly no slower than traditional suit and possibly faster. You will swim faster with this suit.

Khai

Dec 27, 02 16:49

Post #7 of 15 (3675 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I have a T1 wetsuit, and the very first time I took it off (dry and in my bathroom) it took me 15s. That's from fully dressed to standing there holding both pieces in one hand. I had already seen the video clip on the DeSoto website on proper removal, and read the instructions carefully (also avail on the website).

I was initially a bit nervous about being able to get it off quickly as I have an extremely unstable shoulder that dislocates very easily - I've popped it out putting on a sweater, in fact. As such I knew that I would be far less aggressive than most when removing the top, and wondered if it would impede my ability to shed in a hurry. It didn't.

The first time I took it off wet, I was on a swim with the Carmel Valley Tri-Club during a "demo day". When I came out of the water it just popped of, and even the reps were impressed with how quick and easy the removal was (for a newbie - I'm sure they can do it quicker themselves). My favourite trick is to stick my (rt) elbow in the fold after crossing my arms and pulling it up a bit - then just bring your crossed arms up over you head, and watch the thing pop off like a champagne cork. I can't imagine how anyone could have trouble removing it if they first took the time to read the instrctions or watch the video clip.

As far as how it swims, it's the only (non-diving/windsurfing) wetsuit I've ever owned - so I can't compare it to a QR/Piel/Orca/IM/etc. I find it extremely comfortable however, and love the customizable fit.

<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
Proud member of the Smartasscrew, MONSTER CLUB
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aduncan

Dec 27, 02 16:56

Post #8 of 15 (3670 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [Khai] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Incredible wetsuit. The Yamamto rubber used on the suit is slick in the water. The on/off thing is a breeze after 2-3 practice runs, tops. One thing that helps is to get the top off when the suit is flushed with water. Waiting until you run all the way to your spot in T1 will make it only slightly tougher. My suggestion is to get the top off when you are still standing in 2-3 feet of water. You can also trim about an inch off the bottom of the suit (or any suit) to make it come off your feet faster. Doing so has no effect of the performance of the suit and can prevent "suit bunch" around the foot and ankle. Incidentally, Emilio DeSoto is unbelievably nice and will do everything he can to make sure you end up with a suit you love.

=============
Adam Duncan
New York, NY

Joe M

Dec 27, 02 17:02

Post #9 of 15 (3670 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I use both a T1 and a Piel. I no longer use my QR (long or sleeveless). The T1 is comfortable and gives a good swim like feel. In contrast, the T1 requires more effort to remove than the Piel. The Piel learning curve for removal is zero. You simply pull up on the zippers and run to your bike. It will fall off you before you exit the water. Because it requires no prior experience to remove, it is faster to remove. By comparison, the T1 requires test runs and experience to remove quickly. But, no amount of experience will reduce the added effort it takes to remove the T1. Bottom line, experience using the wetsuit determines speed of removal. Ease of removal is dependent mostly on fit. If the wetsuit doesn't fit, no wetsuit will be fast and easy to remove. This is where the T1 has advantages. By design, the two pieces offers more variability when fitting.

My Piel suit fits well enough and comfortable enough to wear for shorter distance tris. But it's key advantage is in it's removal. Speed of removal is more crucial for shorter distance tris than longer distance tris. As a result, I use the Piel for shorter tris. As for the T1, it dominates in the comfort category for longer tris. On the other hand, (IMHO) it is slower to remove (compared to the Piel) and requires more effort than the Piel (or most traditionally designed wetsuits). But in longer tris, transition times are not that crucial.

I like both the T1 and the Piel but for different reasons. I don't believe they make a wetsuit that is best for ALL types of triathlons.

Finally, the T1 contains less neoprene...in effect you float less (at least that is what is claimed by T1 competitors - sounds logical to me). On the other hand, DeSotto's T1 has counter that you float less where you need to float less - the torso. And, you float more where you need to float more - the legs. In effect, you maintain a more balance and level swim position. I have seen no quantifiable proof to either claim, but both arguments make sense to me. I personally haven't noticed a big difference in my swim position as a result of the T1 wetsuit.

There are a few other detail things that I dislike about the T1 (and the Piel for that matter) - but, they're not key issues (but, if you wear prescription goggles e-mail me and I will discuss one of these annoying details about the T1).

FWIW Joe Moya

Khai

Dec 27, 02 17:03

Post #10 of 15 (3666 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [aduncan] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Very true... My top is always off by the time I'm 15' from the water's edge (and usually doing the drunken beach stagger ;) )

<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
Proud member of the Smartasscrew, MONSTER CLUB
Get your FIX today?

Khai

Dec 27, 02 17:06

Post #11 of 15 (3662 views)

I was just gonna say... [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

That there was a dude here who posts a really good reply about this, but I couldn't remember your name!

Thanks Joe - you always address both sides fairly, and well.

<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
Proud member of the Smartasscrew, MONSTER CLUB
Get your FIX today?

P2kman

Dec 27, 02 19:14

Post #12 of 15 (3647 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

i was faced with the same question you are asking now about a month ago. I narrowed my choice down the the T1 and the piel, and in the end i went for the T1. The jolly fat guy with the white beard brought me the T1 and on xmas morning, i put the full suit on. LET ME TELL YOU, the first time i put it on, i looked like an IDIOT. But, i have been practicing constantly, and now the technique is coming to me. It is my first wetsuit, but taking it off, dry I might add, is becoming easier. By the end of May, I will be ripping it off it no time. As for speed in the water, I have no clue, other than other posts, but they sound positive. Good luck, Happy New Year.

Mike Plumb

Dec 27, 02 20:08

Post #13 of 15 (3632 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [P2kman] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I started using T1 this year and have been very pleased with it. Previously used QR, Aquaman and Ironman. I was very pleased with the QR and think the new top of the line QR is awesome. But back to the T1, in practice I really struggled trying to get the top off. I only got the suit a couple of days before Wildflower and was stressing out over getting the top off. But come race time, when I went to take it off, it came off very easily. Race day adreniline is an amazing thing. I have found that on a bad day when I am slow getting the suit off, I am about the same time taking it off as with other wetsuits. On a good day, about 15 seconds faster.

I have also found the T1 to be a faster suit than my previous suites and that I feel like there is better floatation in the legs. The flexibility is better than all my previous wetsuits also. Because there is no zipper, less water gets into the suit and I have a feeling this is an advantage and makes the suit faster since there is less water catching and causing drag.

charlietris

Jan 14, 13 19:00

Post #14 of 15 (416 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [mts] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

i love!!!!!!! my desoto wetsuit. i have the bib john, a sleeveless top and a long sleeve top. i can use any combo of one and two pieces. it's a bit pricey, but not if you compare it to two complete wetsuits. also love everything that desoto makes- top quality and fits like a glove. when you call them, you sometimes get the man himself. do it- you won't be disappointed!

pattersonpaul

Jan 14, 13 19:06

Post #15 of 15 (406 views)

Re: De Soto Wetsuits [charlietris] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I never get tired of re-reading 10 year old threads.