I’m thinking about buying this wetsuit.
Has anyone out there used this wetsuit or herd good/bad things about the T1?
What is the fastest suit out there?
I have a DeSoto T1 and I really like it. It’s the only wetsuit I’ve ever used so I don’t have anything to compare it to. I come from a swimming background and I didn’t really have to alter my stroke at all to adjust to swimming with the wetsuit which is nice. I also found it easy to get in and out of. Also, check out the review here:
… It’s a very good wetsuit from a design standpoint (great customer service also). It’s a very good suit for long course triathlons. But then again, all wetsuit’s that fit well can be good… anything less (regardless of brand or design) is bad.
I prefer the T1 for longer course tri’s… the T1 is very comfortable (mostly because of 2 piece design and can provide a wide variety of fits for different body types - a KEY advantage). But, it’s not my favorte for short course tri’s.
Again,… how do you define “good/bad” things about the T1? Moreover, what do you compare it to. If you compare it to the Piel Wetsuit, it is not good at removal. It has a higher degree of effort to remove (however, the new zipper backed model may eliminate that problem). However, it will always be slower to remove than the Piel. Therefore, I prefer the Piel for short distance triathlons. Nothing comes off faster than the Piel. It’s two zipper requires zero seconds to remove while on the run. The negatives of the Piel is that is not as comfortable as the T1. So, as you can see…, (IMHO) there is not a perfect wetsuit… only one that is better suited for different triathlons.
How does the traditionally designed (single back zipper design) compare to both the Piel and the T1? Well, the T1 vs. Traditionally designed wetsuits is about on the same level in terms of speed of removal. However, the learning curve for the T1 is higher and (unless you have the brand new zippered back T1) requires more effort to remove. As for the Piel vs. the Traditionally designed wetsuit it is about on the same level as fit (although it is a bit stiffer than some) but is much easier to remove and faster to remove. Bottom line, both the T1 and Piel offer something different that the traditional designs (IMHO, they also offer something better).
Now to answer your question, How good is the T1… that depends upon what your intentions are as to it’s usage, whether it will fit (which is very likely) and what are you trying to compare it to. In some instances, the T1 is very good… in other instances it is only average or slightly below average.
Finally, is is fast? How do you define fast… in the water or removal? Which is important (comfort or removal) depends upon the length of the swim. I guess what I am really trying to say is this,… it’s all relative. But, in general the T1 is a very good wetsuit but with limitations.
See for a detailed review:
http://www.trinewbies.com/phorum2/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=16704&mid=167124#M167124
I certainly hope this helps.
FWIW Joe Moya
I have a t1 as well. I have had many other wetsuits as well including QR, Ironman, and Orca. I feel the T1 allows for a fuller range of shoulder motion whereas the one piece suits constricted my reach a bit. My legs feel more bouyed by the T1 as well. The T1 is very warm, almost too warm in some cases. I am considering picking up a sleeveless top to use in warmer water races. The loose feeling around the neck is a little odd at first but is a welcome change after becoming used to the feel. I have found no problem with quick removal of the top, now getting the top on is a little tricky.
Good luck with your decision.
I have a T1 and I love it, but like Chris A it’s the only wetsuit I’ve ever owned. One of the reasons I went with the T1 is I have short legs and a long torso, so I figured T1 would help eliminate fit issues like tugging in the crotch area.
And like Fishman I’ve found I get pretty hot in my T1, but it’s my nature to run hot and have heat issues. However, I’ve found that swimming in just the bibjohn is the answer in warm water conditions. I really don’t see a need for the sleeveless top.
It’s great. I have less shoulder fatigue, it’s easy to get off (with a little practise). It’s the best suit I’ve evr used. my only advice is to buy it in black if you want to be subtle or do like I did and get it in silver if you want to make yourself a marked man !!!
You won’t go wrong with this suit !
Like a couple of others, the only suit I’ve ever owned. I’ve been swimming for years but just got a wetsuit last season. (I actually got the tres) There is no real change to swimming stroke, but you have to get the arm seams running correctly (read the web site).
Customer service is incredible. I ordered it on the web, within a couple of hours I got a phone call asking to verify some measurements to make sure I ordered the right size! Afterwards, I emailed a question to desoto. Emilio himself answered within a few hours and offered to send me a complete set of a different size so that I could try both and then send back whichever I didn’t want!!! I didn’t even ask for that, I just had a question but they are that serious about customer service.
Hey,
That all sounds great! I will be buying one. Now I just have to figure out which size is best for me.
What is your height and weight, which size did you get? Is the T1 worth the extra money?
I’m thinking of getting one too…anyone know a place that sells them discounted?
I’ve never seen the T1 discounted… however, ever so often the TRES is slightly discounted. Check the DeSoto sight.
If you live in San Francisco, I’ve seen them discounted at Sports Basement. I got mine at a discount when I signed up for the TriBiz Reader last year. I think Monty sells 'em at a discount if you trade in your old wetsuit, too.
Also, you can buy them from Sports Basement at any time using your standing 10% USAT discount. (You don’t just get sausage with your membership.)
If you know your size, they are on the web at Sportsbasement.com
Ray
Monty has a store? Tell me more…
I have the old Dos suit (which I think you can still buy discounted at the DSS website). While coming out of the water at one of the IMFL practice swims I made a point of showing a couple of other racers I know from some of these message boards that I could whip off the top as fast as most folks can even find the cord on their wetsuit zipper. Once its off, the bib-style bottom come off as easily as any other standard wetsuit design.
To do it easily I have to do it while I’m still in the water just after standing up, but that’s never caused me any problems. If I uderstand correctly, that’s the difference between the T1 & Dos…the T1 comes off that easily even when dry.
I don’t think Monty has a “store” per se, but I do recall Dan saying that Monty was going to set up some sort of a “wetsuit exchange program” and sell DeSoto products (T1/dos/tres). I also recall Monty posting about being able to hook someone up with a trade in. Your best bet would likely be to send one (or both) of them an email or PM and see what they say for themselves.
Yep - I bought the T1 for that very reason. I have a shoulder that dislocates very easily, and I need to be extremely careful with it - especially when my arm is overhead. The extra stretchiness of the T1 and the smoother “skin” makes it easy for me to pop it off quickly and with less risk of personal injury.
For the record, the very first time I tried taking off the T1 I was completely dry, and standing in the bathroom of a friend’s house. I had the suit completely off in <15s. It’s all about the technique (I had studied Dan’s comments on it as well as the T1/DeSoto website for proper removal instructions beforehand).
Trisports.com sells them and they are currently running a 15% off holiday sale. I deleted the email so I don’t have the code or any more details. Maybe someone can post the code here.
Rusty
Save 15% (excludes closeout items): HOLIDAY15 FREE Ground Shipping*: FREESHIP
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monty is fully stocked in T1 suits and he takes your old suit in in trade. you email him and tell him what you’ve got and he’ll email you back with a trade in price. he’s still at worlds in NZ but will be back on tuesday or so. montyman007@hotmail.com