What are the best wetsuits for great swimmers?..to allow flexibility, etc.
My girlfriend was a collegiate swimmer, but new to triathlons…so I’m trying to help her find a wetsuit for good swimmers (versus a wetsuit for an average swimmer like myself who prefers buoyancy, etc).
What wetsuits do good/great swimmers suggest for her Ironman race?
Most of the top of the line wetsuits have solid flexibility in the shoulders… it really comes down to what fits.
Most of the top of the line wetsuits have solid flexibility in the shoulders… it really comes down to what fits.
Agreed. It’s all about which brand fits and feels the best. Most good stores will have rentals of different brands for that very reason.
Demo a bunch of them, have her find the one that she likes. Don’t do what I did and buy the one that was on sale without trying it first. That damned thing rubbed my neck raw.
If shes kick dominant you might want to look at a 3mm all over type thing like the Orca RS1 or whatever it was called.
In my experience, most of the high-end suits are better for quality swimmers.
Something like the Blue Seventy Helix is tremendous in shoulder flexibility and range of motion, but not as buoyant as others.
I think the TYR Hurricane is a mix of both, but I’m not sure.
In my experience, most of the high-end suits are better for quality swimmers.
Something like the Blue Seventy Helix is tremendous in shoulder flexibility and range of motion, but not as buoyant as others.
I think the TYR Hurricane is a mix of both, but I’m not sure.
I’ve been pleased with my Hurricane. It’s got good shoulder ROM, and it’s pretty buoyant, but I’m swimming in salt water, so that could have something to do with it - the buoyancy, that is.
I’ve been MORE than happy with my new Zoot Prophet
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Aqua Sphere Phantom. Fits great and has tremendous flexibility.
Pretty new to the triathlon myself. Have olympic swimming background, it has been a while, but probably still above average swimmer. Bought a mid range wetsuit last year as my first wetsuit (Orca Equip) but felt that it did restrict shoulder movement and actually my shoulders felt really heavy on the longer swims. Switched to a Sleeveless BlueSeventy Axis (which in principle is a more buoyance suit). Best purchase this year, sleeveless is so much more comfortable to me, perhaps a little less buoyance overall but that is made up by the buoyance of this suit in the leggs. I love the combination. I am sure that the high end suits are more flexible in the shoulders than the Equip that I used but for now would not want to trade my suit for anything else, completely happy with the sleeveless set up. Swimming times have been excellent as wel 
Thanks everyone. I also found this link:
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http://triathlonmagazine.ca/2010/03/sections/gear/swim-gear/wetsuits/buyers-guide-wetsuits/
+1 to pie.
Really good swimmers go well with sleeveless wetsuits (by really good I mean collegiate level or better). Otherwise their point of failure is the shoulder work required for the arm recovery phase in the wetsuit. Imagine that you just can’t pull your arms out of the water and put them in front of your head anymore. A strange swimming nightmare indeed!
Don’t forget Aquaman, which is seldom listed in the american media, but prominent among the fast euros. GREAT suits!
Thanks again. Also, here’s another article I found helpful: http://triathlon.competitor.com/2011/02/gear-tech/finding-your-perfect-wetsuit-fit_21777
As a former collegiate swimmer I’ll give the thumbs up to the blue seventy wetsuits, i think i have the reaction which has been great for keeping a stroke close to natural (unlike more “tri” friendly wet suits)
If you can go sleeveless, that’s your best options. But I’m lean and any cold cuts right through me.
what about about for totally lousy swimmers?
build in fins?
Water temperatures over 78 degrees
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Nope everyone else is wrong, there is only BlueSeventy Helix… and then there is “second out of the water”.
I agree. I was not on the olympic team but still was a regular finalist at Canadian Nationals and my 800/1500 are in the Masters Top 10 (world) for my AG and I have an Ocra PFLEX and the sleeveless version of the same. I prefer sleeveless. Better reach and feel sans sleeves for me.
I’d like to hear a response from Monty 'cuz I think he’s using the DeSoto top with 5mil sleeves - super thick.
Which IM race… ?
Will most of her races be in relatively warm water ?
Consider a sleeveless like the other poster suggested, yes a high end sleeved suit can be fast but if most of my swims were in warmer water I would get a good sleeveless suit.