I’m looking for a new wetsuit for next year. Has anyone tried the Axis and does it achive it’s advertised buoyancy affect? How does it compare to the Helix?
thanks!
Not as flexible in the shoulders as the Helix but my ass sticks way out of the water. I’m a fan of that trade-off fo sho.
Yes I have.
Yes it does.
Not sure.
I got mine as a prize from Oliver Wine Capital Triathlon thanks to the wife (she won a $300 B70 voucher). I have trouble with ‘heavy legs’. Even my physio says they are dense so my legs did used to drag a little. I have been getting better with better form but … I was skeptical but the suit fitted really well so I got it. As soon as I tried the suit for the first time I noticed a difference. Not a stupidly buoyant difference but enough to move the axis of buoyancy back from a usual suit.
In short, I love it. Very flexible, easy to get on / off. Snug fitting and size chart seemed perfect. As for providing more buoyancy I would say that it 100% does.
I just came on ST to ask the same question! I’m interested in the Axis too but I’m not sure about the flexibility as this is a big issue for me. Can anybody compare flexibility of the Axis to something like an early (2006) model Orca Apex?
I can’t compare it to the suit you mention but the flexibility is very good in the Helix. The Helix is likely to be more flexible in the arms as the helix arms are super thin … I found them quite difficult to deal with getting on and off.
I’ve got both, the Axis is a 2010 model and the Helix is a 2009 model. I do all my racing in the Helix, it just feels way nicer to me, I actually bought the suit 2 days before Ironman Canada in 2009 and after one short swim knew I had to use it race day and it was awesome. I think the Helix has much more flexibility in the shoulders/arms. Most of my training however is done in the Axis, I swim open water solo most of the time and needed a suit that had a normal zipper, just not flexible enough to zip up the reverse zipper on the Helix myself! I do feel the buoyancy affect of the Axis quite a bit but for me the improved flexibility of the Helix far outweighs the added buoyancy, I’ve never had an issue either with body position so perhaps the benefits are lost on me. I am thinking of picking up the 2010 Helix now as I hear it improved over the 2009 model. All BlueSeventy gear is prety much awesome in my opinion, just picked up a PZ3TX and their new distance tri suit and they are amazing as well! My Ironman PB swim is 1:05.xx (not speedy but OK) and was done in a 2-day old suit on my least amount of swim training ever… I attribute it all on the suit!!
My 2 cents
Based on the advertising, I was planning on the Axis, so I swam in it first at the TriSports.com endless pool. It felt okay to me… Then I tried the helix immediately after. For comfort alone, it was no contest–I went with the helix.
I am a decent swimmer in a wetsuit, but have a horrible kick, so I need the flotation…however, the Helix still had plenty of flotation for me and just felt awesome (and still does, after a full season of use).
I bought the Axis and did one race in it and found it super stiff compared to my QR Superfull. Traded it in on Helix which is VASTLY more flexible esp. in shoulders and still has good buoyancy IMO.
Had to pay restocking fee and more for the Helix but it was worth it.
My advice, go w/ Helix if yo want flexibility. I didn’t see any big position change in my lower body and I have a weak kick.
All of these comments are very helpful! I have a few years old (2006?) helix with a rip in it–I liked it a lot but hate the zipper–hard to do by myself. I’ve raced in the Water Rover this past year which is hands down the fastest wetsuit on the market. Alas, not legal for WTC races and soon all races so need a new one.
I have a poor kick and heavy legs–which is why i think the Rover really helped me. Still, I’m old and don’t need any extra hindrance in the shoulders. I’m a 65 minute (wetsuit) IM swimmer (though a lot slower at Kona without a wetsuit)…
Sounds like maybe the Helix is the way to go…
yes the zipper requires a partner to zip up at start. That can be a pain but unzips easily.
I’m also a low 60 minute wetsuit swimmer and Helix is probably targeted at sub 60 crowd but I like it a lot!
Switched to an Axis this year. Previous suit was a Nineteen pipeline, so the Axis was a huge improvement in flexibility for me. It does lift my legs up nicely, although so did my pipeline. I am sure the Helix is a great suit and very flexible in the shoulders but I do know a couple people who have had seams pulling and small tears in the shoulder area of the Helix suits. It does seem the more money you spend on these suits the more careful you need to be. So far my Axis shows no unusual wear and tear after one year, and I am still happy with my decision to purchase.
So, if the Helix is a lot more flexible than the Axis, then how does the Reaction compare? I’m a bop swimmer, and recently picked up a Reaction during the off season. Not gonna be fast no matter what suit, but don’t need any more resistance beyond what I provide.
Thanks
What about the low end fusion wetsuit?anyone have any comparisons or comments on this suit?It is on sale at trisports this weekend for 212$.That is pretty cheap if it is a decent suit.
So, if the Helix is a lot more flexible than the Axis, then how does the Reaction compare? I’m a bop swimmer, and recently picked up a Reaction during the off season. Not gonna be fast no matter what suit, but don’t need any more resistance beyond what I provide.
Thanks
I went up from the Reaction to Axis. I also tried the Helix.
There is much more flexibility in the Axis compared to Reaction, much more leg buoyancy too. The helix even more at the shoulders but then the arms in the Helix are almost paper thin. I had a real ‘time’ trying to get it on and knew that on my own it was not going to happen.
I think Blue Seventy’s line is well spaced in terms of cost with each model showing definite improvements over the next step down. Just pick your price point and away you go!
Jaymz,
How does the helix compare to the reaction in terms of buoyancy?
Sorry for the confusion, I tried the Helix on but did not wear it in water so can not help on the buoyancy. The Helix is more leg buoyant than the Reaction (which I have worn in water).
I had a fair amount of discussion with Blue Seventy Head Office. They felt that the Helix was the best wetsuit on the market, and suited good swimmers with good form and position in the water. For those that have an issue with ‘heavy legs’ who are angled lower in the water then the Axis provides a bit more bouyancy to deal with that and therefore becomes the preferred choice.
The deal being that the Helix is the best suit … but … the advantages of the Helix would be wiped out by poor body position in the water in which case the Axis was the better choice.
I took the humble approach knowing that I am definitely heavy legged and have been very happy with my decision. Even though I do not have the best suit per se I do have the best suit for me.
Hope that helps a little. I think it’s a case of horses for courses. Are you ‘leg low’ or not?
I am definitely “leg low”. I looked at the Axis very hard last year and came close to purchasing one, but found a great deal on a very lightly used Reaction in the Classified’s on this site. I love that suit, and for what I paid for it, it was the single best “seconds/$” gain I made last year. An awesome value. I’ve just always wondered how much more I would gain (speed/buoyancy) by actually ponying up the $ for an upgrade to the Axis someday.
I guess it depends on the individual but I noticed the difference straight away. The difference is increased throughout a race as usually, when I tire, my form would get worse and my legs drop even more.
As for a time saved I am not sure. All I know is that when you pay out hundreds to reduce bike drag by a gnats tit the reduction in drag from that suit is way more pronounced and probably worth the money. I wore the suit for the first time at my first race last year (long story, I know I should not have tried something new race day). I thought I had a really bad swim, lots of bumping, knocking, poor sighting etc but still beat my time from my ‘A’ race the year before by around 1 minute. It’s not like having a pull bouy between your legs though so don’t expect a 10 minute gain!
Thanks! That’s just the feedback I was looking for.