Another vote for DeSoto. I'm a surfer/bodyboarder and have been wearing wetsuits almost DAILY for nearly 36 years. I know wetsuits. Of course surfing suits are different than tri suits, so when I got into this sport, I checked here on ST and there was an overwhelming groundswell (surfing pun intended) for the brand not only because of the two-piece design, but the obvious over-the-top customer service they are known for, and of course Emilio's reputation as a former pro triathlete and his constant presence here on the forum.
So, I bought my first T1 suit- the Black Pearl. I bought the bibjohn bottoms and both a sleeveless and long sleeve top, essentially getting two wetsuits for the price of 1 1/2 suits. The beauty of the two-piece design is that it can fit all body types because you can buy a different size for the bottoms than you are buying for the top if, for example, you have a large upper body but a normal set of gams.
Also, lots of rotation flexibility because the top isn't connected to the bottom. And, the zipper is super-easy to deal with and the neck seal, because there's no Velcro on the neck, doesn't rub you raw like some suits.
In any case, in over 10 years in triathlon, I am only on my second round of DeSoto suits, now wearing the First Wave, so they last a long time too. In surfing, I have to get a new suit almost yearly, but the DeSoto tri suits hold up over time (assuming you take care of the suit).
Okay, shameless plug now over (I don't work for DeSoto or anything, just so you know.)!
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My business-eBodyboarding.com
So, I bought my first T1 suit- the Black Pearl. I bought the bibjohn bottoms and both a sleeveless and long sleeve top, essentially getting two wetsuits for the price of 1 1/2 suits. The beauty of the two-piece design is that it can fit all body types because you can buy a different size for the bottoms than you are buying for the top if, for example, you have a large upper body but a normal set of gams.
Also, lots of rotation flexibility because the top isn't connected to the bottom. And, the zipper is super-easy to deal with and the neck seal, because there's no Velcro on the neck, doesn't rub you raw like some suits.
In any case, in over 10 years in triathlon, I am only on my second round of DeSoto suits, now wearing the First Wave, so they last a long time too. In surfing, I have to get a new suit almost yearly, but the DeSoto tri suits hold up over time (assuming you take care of the suit).
Okay, shameless plug now over (I don't work for DeSoto or anything, just so you know.)!
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My business-eBodyboarding.com
