After the posting in this thread: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/…_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;
I decided to give the De Soto Inviscid Wetshort a try after complaining about the fit of the Roka Elite shorts. I also decided, based on the thread, to try the Roka Comp shorts - 50% off!
Here are my impressions:
Roka Elite - 5mm neoprene - just like a wetsuit. The fit is way too low cut for me. I am constantly hiking it up and tightening the drawstring. I just never am very comfortable in them. The buoyancy is amazing and I swim faster/easier in them.
Roka Comp - 5mm neoprene - just like a wetsuit. This one fits better - not nearly as low cut so better coverage and comfort for me. Also great buoyancy like the Elite - barely move my legs when swimming - benefits of a wetsuit.
**De Soto Inviscid Wetshort **- 2mm with tri short material on each side. These shorts feel essentially like a trishort - very flexible and very thin compared to the Roka. In fact, these don’t look like a traditional wetsuit material at all. I was pretty skeptical when I first opened these. However, after trying them in the pool I find these shorts to be a useful tool. Since it is only 2mm thick, the short does not provide as much buoyancy as the Roka and I was initially put off by it. But after a few swim sessions I see the benefit. The 2mm lift is enough to provide a benefit to my rock like lower legs but not so much that I am simply letting my legs just float like with the Rokas. I needed to kick to get the benefit of the short and that is where they are a useful tool, especially if training if the race is a non-wetsuit one. My lower torso is lifted just enough to improve my position but not so much that I did not need to kick to get the benefit. I found it similar to a pool buoy in assistance but way more natural to simply swim. The fit of the De Soto is one of the biggest differences to the Roka. The De Soto fits just like a trishort - same rise and waist - none of the low cut issues with the Roka. I think, but have not tried, that you could swim in just the De Soto short, something I would never try on the Roka.
My one dislike of the short is the large De Soto graphic on the left leg - it is a huge advert that I would prefer was more subtle for the pool environment.
Summary: All of these shorts have value. The De Soto shines in fit and flexibility. It provides a lift of the hips and encourages a kick to keep up the speed. I consider a good training tool. The Rokas are cut off wetsuit shorts that mimic swimming in a wetsuit where I typically do very little kicking given the buoyancy. My plan going forward is to wear the De Soto Inviscid shorts for most training sessions to encourage my kicking development and the Roka Comp for recovery sessions when my legs just want to rest. I plan to give away my Roka Elite to anyone who wants them.
After the posting in this thread: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/…_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;
I decided to give the De Soto Inviscid Wetshort a try after complaining about the fit of the Roka Elite shorts. I also decided, based on the thread, to try the Roka Comp shorts - 50% off!
Here are my impressions:
Roka Elite - 5mm neoprene - just like a wetsuit. The fit is way too low cut for me. I am constantly hiking it up and tightening the drawstring. I just never am very comfortable in them. The buoyancy is amazing and I swim faster/easier in them.
Roka Comp - 5mm neoprene - just like a wetsuit. This one fits better - not nearly as low cut so better coverage and comfort for me. Also great buoyancy like the Elite - barely move my legs when swimming - benefits of a wetsuit.
**De Soto Inviscid Wetshort **- 2mm with tri short material on each side. These shorts feel essentially like a trishort - very flexible and very thin compared to the Roka. In fact, these don’t look like a traditional wetsuit material at all. I was pretty skeptical when I first opened these. However, after trying them in the pool I find these shorts to be a useful tool. Since it is only 2mm thick, the short does not provide as much buoyancy as the Roka and I was initially put off by it. But after a few swim sessions I see the benefit. The 2mm lift is enough to provide a benefit to my rock like lower legs but not so much that I am simply letting my legs just float like with the Rokas. I needed to kick to get the benefit of the short and that is where they are a useful tool, especially if training if the race is a non-wetsuit one. My lower torso is lifted just enough to improve my position but not so much that I did not need to kick to get the benefit. I found it similar to a pool buoy in assistance but way more natural to simply swim. The fit of the De Soto is one of the biggest differences to the Roka. The De Soto fits just like a trishort - same rise and waist - none of the low cut issues with the Roka. I think, but have not tried, that you could swim in just the De Soto short, something I would never try on the Roka.
My one dislike of the short is the large De Soto graphic on the left leg - it is a huge advert that I would prefer was more subtle for the pool environment.
Summary: All of these shorts have value. The De Soto shines in fit and flexibility. It provides a lift of the hips and encourages a kick to keep up the speed. I consider a good training tool. The Rokas are cut off wetsuit shorts that mimic swimming in a wetsuit where I typically do very little kicking given the buoyancy. My plan going forward is to wear the De Soto Inviscid shorts for most training sessions to encourage my kicking development and the Roka Comp for recovery sessions when my legs just want to rest. I plan to give away my Roka Elite to anyone who wants them.
Thanks! John
Love the Comic Sans. The needed pick-me-up for the day.
Roka Elite feel like they are low cut - but having swam in them for a few sessions, they never quite “slide off”. I swim in them now without wearing swim trunks underneath… and yet to flash anyone
Roka Elite feel like they are low cut - but having swam in them for a few sessions, they never quite “slide off”. I swim in them now without wearing swim trunks underneath… and yet to flash anyone
Understood. If I was a bit less ‘full figured’ they might work. The De Soto has no “dip” in the waistline so they fit straight across the front for me - which I greatly prefer.
