What’s the preferred option with water temperature this high? Swimskin is the ROKA ViperPro, wetsuit is ROKA Maverick Elite full.
Assume wetsuit, but wanted other opinions.
Wetsuit…wetsuit always. More rubber = faster. If you think you will overheat get a cheap sleeveless wetsuit for $99. It will still be faster than swim skin.
What’s the preferred option with water temperature this high? Swimskin is the ROKA ViperPro, wetsuit is ROKA Maverick Elite full.
Assume wetsuit, but wanted other opinions.
Based upon my experience, would definitely go sleeveless at that temperature if it’s a 3.8k swim. I made the mistake of using my fullsuit in 74ish water at IMCdA this year - I’m not repeating that.
You’ll most likely lose 2-3 s/100m with the sleeveless versus the full, but IMO it’s worth it to keep from overheating.
After a lot of debate, I wore a full wetsuit for a 75 degree .9 swim on a sunny but not hot day and I felt overheated about half way and had to pause several times and pull the collar open to let in cool water. I have subsequently bought the $99 sleeveless alternative for any future “barely legal” races.
Thanks for the replies. Buying a sleeveless wetsuit isn’t an option. Race is Saturday. Either full wetsuit or swimskin.
You size has a lot to do with it also. I’m a little guy. When Chattanooga was wetsuit optional last year (77 degrees), I wore the full. Never felt warm or uncomfortable even once. I went, current assisted, 58 min.
A bigger person with more natural insulation may disagree 
Thanks for the replies. Buying a sleeveless wetsuit isn’t an option. Race is Saturday. Either full wetsuit or swimskin.
If I were in your position without the sleeveless option, and it was a 3.8k swim and I was looking for a KQ, I would wear the fullsuit, but de-power my swim by about 2s/100m pace to reduce heat output (I’ve found that reduction is the difference for me between “race pace” and “easier pace”).
If I wasn’t looking for a KQ/B race, I would use the speedsuit and use it as a good practice run.
Good luck!
Thanks for the replies. Buying a sleeveless wetsuit isn’t an option. Race is Saturday. Either full wetsuit or swimskin.
if yer a shit swimmer = wetsuit
if yer a great swimmer = wetsuit
No debate…if wetsuit legal, wetsuit is faster.
I have never felt overheated in a wetsuit…swam 52 minutes full wetsuit IM ocean swim in water temps I’m sure were, at best, JUST below maximum wetsuit allowable temps and was fine. Just make sure to get the top part off as quickly as you can when you exit the water…as you will heat up super rapidly in the sun!
i would say wetsuit, if you are a little guy who normally freezes so there is no risk of overheating in the suit.
if you like me are a big guy, then pick the swimskin, i ruined my day at roth this year due to choosing a wetsuit, since i did not own a swimskin. overheated badly and ended up having a crappy swim followed by a even crappier bike.
Wetsuit…wetsuit always. More rubber = faster. If you think you will overheat get a cheap sleeveless wetsuit for $99. It will still be faster than swim skin.
I am one of the people who are slower in a both full sleeve and sleeveless wetsuits when compared to a swim skin. I also would not wear a wetsuit due to overheating if the water was over 75.
You might want to test out wearing a wetsuit in 74 degree water - it can get really hot fairly fast.