I don’t own a wetsuit and never had to use one as always swam in nice warm waters… I have now moved to Texas and although I expected water to be warm I just registered for Lonestar Triathlon in Galveston Bay and the website advertises water temp around 70 degrees and they recommend a wetsuit… anybody has experience with 70 degree water and if you really need a wetsuit for this?, what if its a few degrees lower say mid 60’s or even low 60’s? are there different thicknesses and if so what’s a good overall suit.
I have a 2xu and love it. Beyond the temperature the wet suit helps with flotation and speed.
Two very good articles on this page. Scroll down. Tells everything you need to know. Definately need a wetsuit under 70 F IMHO.
70 degrees is plenty warm enough to swim without a wetsuit. Of course, a wetsuit would probably make you more comfortable, especially if you tend to get cold easily in the water.
It varies from person to person really, but for me, I’m good without a wetsuit down to the mid-60s.
I wear one down there because well it is faster. I’m not about to give up free speed. I have used Desoto’s Speed tube one year and a full two piece the other year i have been fine in both. Its not cold in the water but it was almost dark when i came out of the water for the sprint last year so it wasn’t particularly warm either.
If you’re just looking for warmth you don’t need it. Probably 40 percent of the field didnt have a wetsuit. If you want extra speed and aren’t looking to spend a fortune try the desoto speed tube. http://www.desotosports.com/products/product.asp?Category=speed&ProdID=ST9 All my fastest swim splits have been in it.
The DeSoto speed tube, Vest and bottoms. Or you can just go with the bottoms. I did two races that where 70+ swims and went with the vest and bottoms, worked great. Most likely my set up for Vineman full this year. Most races last season I went with the Speed tube bottoms and T1 long sleeve top…great combo.
http://www.desotosports.com/...speed&ProdID=ST9
http://www.desotosports.com/...speed&ProdID=SV9
http://www.desotosports.com/wetsuits/index.asp
I also have a desoto and love it.
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I swim in 70 degree water all the time without a wetsuit. I think you can get away down to about 65 before its an issue
Hello,
Emilio De Soto here. Wetsuits suit a number of purposes:
- To keep you warm in cold water
- To float you thus helping you swim faster.
Even if water temps do not require wetsuit to keep you warm, you will find most serious triathletes will wear a wetsuit if they are allowed to, just for the speed factor. It is possible to overheat in one-piece wetsuits, even sleevless, which is why I invented the Speedtube mentioned above.
I invite you to try any of our products. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, no questions asked.
SPEEDTUBE
This wetsuit pant exceeded our greatest expectations in regards to demand, and it is sure to be a hot weapon in your arsenal again this year, due to it’s versatility and functionality. It is made of 5mm rubber #38 Yamamoto SCS™ (Super Composite Skin). It is lined with 4-way stretch Nylon Lycra® to minimize chafing. All seams are glued and blind-stitched, making them stronger than the rubber itself. All wetsuit models feature sleek graphics and are sold as separates for a more customized fit.
5-panel contour design glued and blind stitched seams.
Cut shin-high for easy fitting and removal, heavy duty drawstring waist.
Can be worn alone or with any First Wave or Black Pearl Pullovers and Vests.
Chlorine Resistant Treatment
Made for swimmers and triathletes who:
have a weak kick and want maximum hip flotation
overheat easily in other wetsuits
want a very affordable high-performance 5 mm wetsuit bottom
The Speedtube is a wetsuit. It can only be worn in races that permit wetsuits.
This question is for Emilio or anyone else who has experience.
I overheat easily. I think water temps in the 60’s are comfortable after the first 100m or so. I would be scared to wear a full wetsuit or even sleeveless most days.
I am concerned with speed and effort spent swimming.
Does anyone have an idea of time saved/100 for a speedtube verse jammer? I understand its different for everyone, but just some ideas?
IT is not different for everyone. The Speedtube is bascially a wetsuit pant. Everyone will swim faster in it. A Jammer is just a trisort without a pad. HUGE DIFFERENCE! The Speedtube is going to swim proabably 7-10 seconds faster per hundred. I too get hot easily which is why I developed the Speedtube. I wanted the lift and hip float of a wetsuit without overheating.
I guarantee you will love this Speedtube and you will swim faster in it than your jammer, and faster than most other wetsuits…especially if you overheat.
sounds good… where can I shop for best price?
Also, I checked the std charts and I don’t fit under the parameters… I am 5’7-5’8, weight 172pounds so to heavey for the 4 but to short for the 5… I use a waist jean 32-33… what should I do?.
S
No, not too short for a size 5, and so far, you are a 5. Keep in mind they are not full pants, they come to somewhere on your shins. Best bet would be to email me the following after you measure them with a tape measure.
Height
Weight
Chest
Waist (not jean size)
Hips (measured at the widest point around your butt)
As far as price, check with our retailers, but most sell them at MSRP.
My email address is below my name.
Ok, I am finally ready to buy however now have a question for Emilio or anybody else who has tried the different models… I am trying to understand if the additional expense for the T1 First Wave or T1 Black Pearl is worth it over the speed tube and speed vest combo. I only want to buy a wetsuit once and obviously want something that’s going to last. Don’t want to over spend if I don’t need it or won’t get a noticeable improvement in both performance (comfort, speed, warmth, flexibility) and value (durability).
I’m about your size (I’m 5’8, 175) with biker quads, and use a 4 top/5 bottom. The great thing about the 2-piece is that you can add the 2nd part later. I’ve actually used the top only to tough out some sprint swims here in San Francisco Bay (60 deg.). The 2mm top didn’t mess with my position too much and it can be removed running into T1, so no extra transition time. A speedtube should be fine for 70deg; though everyone’s cold tolerance is different.
Emilio and Co., do a great job with service and support…hard to go wrong with their stuff.
Did you ever get a wetsuit? If not, what size are you? I have a Rocket Science Sports “Real Joe” suit that is in great shape that I need to get rid of. It uses Yamamoto Neoprene and all the bells and whistles. It goes for $329, but I’d be willing to deal. It has one small (<1/2") nick, but it’s on a seam and can be easily and fully repaired/glued, I just haven’t done it yet. ps. the size is Med Short. I’m 5’8" with biker quads, small waist, and wider shoulders and this fits me great. I actually have two of them and need to get rid of one.
Where are you moving from… the equator?
It seems odd that you’d move to South Texas and now realize that you need a wetsuit.
I live in TX and I’ve had a wetsuit since I started in triathlon… not so much for races in Texas, but elsewhere.
Where are you moving from… the equator?
It seems odd that you’d move to South Texas and now realize that you need a wetsuit.
I live in TX and I’ve had a wetsuit since I started in triathlon… not so much for races in Texas, but elsewhere.
exactly right, used to live and race in Singapore and nearby - very warm waters! no wetsuits allowed…