Choosing wetsuit

Triathlon Forum
1

This has probably been asked and answered a thousand times (especially when I did a search for wetsuits).

I’m getting my folks in the US to bring me back a wetsuit to Norway, however there are quite a few options out there. It will definately have to be a full suit (cold water), and not to expensive since I am a poor engineer student.

I would call myself neutral bouyant, but my legs do tend to sink. I was looking at the De Soto T1, but there must be other options. I’m 189cm 88kg.

When it comes to measurements, I take it that inseam, waist and chest are the important ones to make. Are there other measurements that I should make before ordering?

2

I am very pleased with the T1. It doesn’t bind in the shoulder and doesn’t wear out your neckline. Easy to remove. I got the First wave top and black Pearl bottom to save a few dollars. Prior to that I had an Orca Pflex and hated it.

3

Forgot to add…

If anyone has one for sale…

4

I have a PFlex but being 5’7’’ I guess you may struggle to fit it… :wink:

5

Leg length is less important than torso length. Legs if they are a little short isn’t that big of deal, and if they are to long you can trim them. Fit in the torso is what’s key because you can’t change that.
At your size I’d either lean towards a Quintana Roo Hydrojon or maybe a De Soto T1. Where are your parents going to be in the States?

6

Any more T1 users I am interested in the 2 piece concept. Is the T1 available in Canada?

Rick

7

I’ve never used a De Soto, I’ve just been led to believe that it could work well for a larger person.
Drop by the De Soto website and send them an e-mail. They are very helpful.

8

I am going through the same process… Here is what Emilio De Soto wrote back to me when I asked about sizing… Customer service like this goes a long way in my book… hth

Thanks for your email. We have no dealers in your area that carries T1.

We will be happy to help you from here. Please read our guarantee
below and you will see that you risk nothing but the time to test the
suit.

Plus this month there is free shipping and no sales tax!

I would like to make sure we get you fitted into the correct size T1
Wetsuit. In order to do this it would be most helpful if I had the
following information sent to me all at one time and in one place:

HEIGHT
WEIGHT
CHEST (measured at the nipple line) IF YOU ARE MALE
BUST (and cup size) IF YOU ARE FEMALE
WAIST (measured at the belly-button line)
HIPS (measured at the widest point, not just at your hips)
AGE
TELEPHONE NUMBER

Since I do not know what you look like I need to create a mental
picture of you. If you have a low resolution image of yourself from a
race or something that would help also, but it is not necessary.

Also any additional information that you know about your body type that
you think might be important for me to know. Some memorable, yet
helpful ones I have received include:

“I have a long torso”
“I have a bucket like J-LO”
“I have large thighs like a track cyclist”
“I have a classic pear-shape body, but I can’t help it.”
“I grew up swimming and my shoulders are very broad”
“A lot of my weight is in my beer belly, but I am training to get rid
of it”

After getting all this information I am happy to give you my opinion of
the perfect size combination of Bibjohn, Pullover and/or Vest.

Please be sure to include your telephone number in case it becomes
easier to call you.

If you are buying a 2005 T1 First Wave or Black Pearl, we offer a 100%
satisfaction guarantee. You buy the suit, you test it out for 15 days
from the day you receive it, and if you are not happy with it, we will
exchange it for a size that fits better, or we will give you complete
refund…your choice…no questions asked.

If you are buying a 2004 model that is on sale all sales are final, we
will only exchange it for the correct size, if we still have it the
correct size in stock.

If I can answer any other questions for you, please call me at the
number below my name.

Kind regards, Emilio

9

Thanks for replies.

My folks live in New Orleans (gotta love the South), been there a few times. Going back this fall to visit, will most likely buy a new bike then (can save a fortune).

They’re flying over in late early June. So I need to send the order fairly soon.

QR Hydrojon is the one without sleeves, right? Think I’m gonna need sleeves for 15 degree Celsius water. :slight_smile:

Gonna send De Soto an email.

10

Yep, in Vancouver TriGeeks carries it (www.trigeeks.ca)
.