Best Wetsuit under $400?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am looking to purchase the best quality wetsuit for under $400. I do need sleeves as I would like the added buoyancy and for the colder waters that I will be treading into this year and for years to come. I have heard some great things about the Orca suits but would like to get your alls opinion. Thanks

David J.
ASU SUN DEVILS

2

Hmm, first off, you should be able to get a really, really great suit for up to $400. That’s a lot of money for a wetsuit.

It’s hard to beat the Desoto T1 in my opinion. It took a lot for me to try them and sell them but I really believe in them. I’m not a super great swimmer, although I’ve imporved a lot over the past 6 months, and I know I am faster in a T1 than other brands we sell.

Orca, QR and Aquaman are also great brands. Like a bike, it is likely to boil down to the one that fits you best. Be sure you put it on correctly, that is key. Good Luck!

3

Stand corrected… $300

Thanks for the reccomendation

David J.
ASU SUN DEVILS

4

A wetsuit that fits, many to be had on ebay, but nothing is better that to go to a shop and try them on. They all seem to fit different. The desoto is what I’m looking for next, the pricing seems pretty good.

I don’t think that a full sleeve is any better than a sleeveless for buoyancy (many will argue that) but it will keep you warmer in cold water.

jaretj

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

5

One option worth mentioning is ProMotion Wetsuits, made in Hood River, Oregon. I think their most expensive suit is $279.00 for a Glideskin full sleaved. www.wetsuit.com Mine has held up well.

Brett

6

Okay, what you do is get the new Orca for $500.00 - it is full suit. For that $500.00 you get a FREE sleevless Orca suit that you then sell to a buddy for $200.00…you then have a $500.00 suit for $300.00

Mission Bay has them all in stock.

7

I bought a ProMotion suit two years ago and it has been great. That is my recommendation.

8

I got a QR Ultra Full that I am very happy with. I got last years model for $168 at all3sports.com. They may still have some of the close-out wetsuits…it is worth checking out.

----->Trent

9

racycles.com has some really good deals (300.00) on the '02, '03 Orca lines. Check them out.

10

I believe bicyclesports.com is having 40% off right now.

11

Looks like there is now way to try on a pro motion wetsuit unless you live in oregon… Should this be a major concern when buying one since I hear most people say the fit is what matters and to make sure you try on a suit before buying one?

Thanks!

12

deetsay00-

I think Record10Ti’s idea is fantastic. That new Orca Pflex suit is supposedly the business. And they are offering a sleeveless Speedsuit for free when you buy the Pflex. People were trying out Pflex demos down in Queenstown at Worlds and were getting out there wallets to buy them as soon as they got out of the lake. The inside of the Pflex is a material that allows for excellent freedom of movement and flexibility, really important stuff when swimming. And if you are at ASU then it might not be too hard for you to find someone who would be willing to buy the extra suit off of you for $200 bucks.

13

<<Looks like there is now way to try on a pro motion wetsuit unless you live in oregon… Should this be a major concern when buying one since I hear most people say the fit is what matters and to make sure you try on a suit before buying one?>>

Good question. I was fit over the phone. Shipping was $9.00. They seem to know their patterns since they build 'em right there. I live about four hours away, so even if I had to pay shipping 3 times (to me, back to them, back to me) I could hardly drive there and back for less $.

Brett

14

DeSoto Tres. I saw somewhere (I could’ve sworn it was on the DeSoto web site, but maybe not) recommending the Tres for everyone except people with bad shoulders who might need the softer rubber to help in pulling off the top.

The tres is under $300 new, customer service is legendary, Emilio offered to send me a suit in every conceivable size at no cost and I could send back what I didn’t want! The suit itself is great - comfortable, fast and easy to take off. What more could you ask for?

15

I am surprised that more folks in this forum have not instructed you to try suits on and go with the suit that fits best. These days, you will get quality suits for that amount. But the difference will be in how the suit fits your body. Plain and simple…

16

I’m always amazed that O’Neill never makes the list of recommendations. I won’t go as far as saying they are the best - I have not tried all wetsuits. I do know that for $220 you can get O’Neills sleeveless tri wetsuit. They only make 2 suits, a sleeveless and full suit; check them out here:

http://www.oneill.com/triathlon/catalog.phtml?state=Show_Series&gender=m&cat=Triathlon%20Suits

Jack O’Neill invented the wetsuit in Santa Cruz, CA in the late 1950’s and has been refining his craft ever since. They make the best surfing wetsuits in the world and the tri suits are not far off the mark. I have been doing tri’s since 1998 and have been using the same O’Neill tri wetsuit now going on 6 years. I say years b/c I do not break my wetsuit out just for races, I swim in the ocean year round (don’t need the wetsuit in summer) so I’d say it gets better than average use and it is in great condition after all this time. Check them out, no better value out there that I have ever seen.