I am particiapting in a Half Iron Distance tri this weekend in water that looks like it will be mid to high 60’s (at most). I have two wetsuits: A cheap full wetsuit that is at it thickest 3m. It is slightly too big in the shoulders and chest. I have a much better QR that is sleeveless and knee length but 5mm in the chest. The plan is to get a new T1 by the time IMLOU comes around but $ and time prohibited it from happening by this weekend. Under the conditions which would you wear? Thanks
Three weeks ago I swam in 68 degrees in a full sleeve wetsuit. I think I could have been comfortable (temp wise) in a sleeveless. There were even a few hearty souls wearing no wetsuits! I’d go with the comfortable one, I think you’d be warm enough in sleeveless in mid to upper 60’s.
I used to swim with a team that regulalry trained in a pool set to 68F. After a good warm-up, we were fine in just lycra. Go with the properly fitting sleeveless, and you’ll be fine from a warmth perspective.
Looks like it will almost certainly be mid 60’s. Any more advice as to which wetsuit would be best? warmer? A cheap (3/2mm) FULL or a good 5mm QR sleeveless shorty?
Wear the “much better” fitting QR. You’ll be fine with sleeveless in mid-60s water after only a few strokes (getting in before the start for a warm-up would be a good idea). And the better fit should make your swim faster so you’ll be in the water less with it.
Absolutely go with the sleeveless. I swim weekly in my QR sleeveless in low-mid 60s and am ok (and admittedly a total wuss in cold water - anything below 75 I want a wetsuit). It’ll be cold at first but you’ll forget about it. And if the 3/2 isn’t a swim specific suit you’ll be hating life after the first 5 minutes (I know from experience).