I’m a middle of the pack swimmer (female) who’s been swimming with the same sleeveless Xterra Vortex wetsuit since 2020, and looking to upgrade my wetsuit. Any recommendations? My A race this year is IMWC in Nice….hoping it’ll be wetsuit legal.
I’ve considered the Roka Maverick Pro II, Blue70 Reaction, and TYR Cat 5.
My recommendation is to get sleeves.
To be honest, with sleeveless, don’t think these others will make much of a difference. I think getting ‘with sleeves’ might benefit for colder water swims and then you can switch. I too am a sleeveless type (I wish I wasn’t…), but the only sleeves that I have tested that I have actually been faster in is the DeBoer wetsuit. Their arms are amazingly thin. Now others on this site will argue that more buoyancy is better, but I have not been lucky even with other high-end suits, including Roka. That being said, if you choose to get another ‘sleeveless’ I think Roka could be a good choice. They have wonderful customer service and the suit is ‘quality’. Right now I have Xterra Sleeveless and DeBoer with sleeves… Tyr was the tightest for me (circa 12 years ago)… Not sure how they are now. Blu Seventy has always have good quality.
Good Luck. I think the doctrine ordering a bunch and returning a bunch is the only one that makes sense. Cut and file your fingernails and wear gloves so that you may be able to return the ones you don’t like…
My recommendation is to get sleeves.
I have a full-sleeved Roka - the max buoyancy one. I hate sleeves with a passion.
I have been very happy with my Sailfish Rocket. Sleeves are always faster for me however when the water temp is borderline 78 degrees and they find a cool spot somewhere in the water to measure, I always wear my sleeveless suit so I don’t overheat.
Have you considered T1 Wetsuit? It is a two-piece design that allows for a better fit since you choose what size Speedvest and what size Bibjohn (this is our bottom piece). Both pieces overlap creating addition warmth around your vital organs and you will not believe the freedom of movement since the top and bottom are not attached in any way.
Click to Learn about T1 Wetsuits
Click here to see the Speedvest
Click here to see the Bibjohn
I can send you a code to get 30% off if you buy it before Feb 1.
My recommendation is to get sleeves.
I have a full-sleeved Roka - the max buoyancy one. I hate sleeves with a passion.
Same, hate sleeved. I’m usually near the front and have been swimming in a budget Xterra Vortex suit for years. Sleeved are theoretically quicker, not by much, but I can hold a higher stroke rate with my sleeveless which compensates for the lower buoyancy. They’re also much more comfortable. So year stick with them. I’ve just switched to an Arena suit. Not very popular in the triathlon world, at least not in Australia but they’ve been making great race suits for years and their wetsuits are great quality.
To be honest, with sleeveless, don’t think these others will make much of a difference.
^^^^This.
With sleeved suits the design is super important to reduce stroke restriction; not as much so with sleeveless. Since there are no issues with shoulder flexibility, underarm torso stretch, etc. you may want to opt for the less expensive suits with thicker neoprene for floatation.
Xterra has an outlet sale going on for demo and returned suits. I picked up their top of the line sleeveless for $29. It had multiple tears that were all easily fixed. Fingertip tears in the mid section, 2-front, 2-back.
Like the others said, I wouldn’t pay a bunch for a sleeveless suit.
Xterra has an outlet sale going on for demo and returned suits. I picked up their top of the line sleeveless for $29. It had multiple tears that were all easily fixed. Fingertip tears in the mid section, 2-front, 2-back.
Like the others said, I wouldn’t pay a bunch for a sleeveless suit.
Thanks,
I just grabbed a full suit for $50. Figure it’s worth it, even with big rips.