She has the Maverick X wetsuit, but whenever she needs to use it for races, she complaint about how it makes her shoulders and arms more tired. I am thinking perhaps the arm/shoulder areas of the wetsuit may be too tight for her. The size we bought was according to Roka’s sizing chart in terms of height/weight. However, we also know she has broader and more muscular shoulders (she’s a swimmer) than typical of her height and weight.
Does anyone hear or experience of the same issue with this particular wetsuit? If so, are there other brands/models of wetsuit maybe better suited for her physique?
Yep, mine was like swimming against a resistance band. Their sizing chart is a joke. I know several others with the same experience. That being said I also know some people it fits well so go figure. I use a zoot and it’s much better for me.
It sounds to me like perhaps you have never been in a T1 Wetsuit. We were the first company to offer a wetsuit with 5 mm legs from the ankle over the hips, and combined it with a 2mm upper body. But what is also a benefit of our wetsuit is the top and the bottom overlap in the most crucial area for keeping the body warm with 4mm of rubber; the spine and all vital organs. Finally, we purposely oval-cut the leg openings, but also leave the ankle area a bit more loose than other brands, making it easier to remove. In addition you would not be wasting time reaching down and unzipping the legs.
Watch this video made by Ben and Summer Deal - All about the T1 Wetsuit
I have had real issues with feeling constricted in wetsuits and have now learned that I can take the liberty to order much much bigger sizing and it feels very significantly better. I was very happy with my Roka Maverick after a return.
I was able to exchange for a larger size rather quickly, which worked much better for me. I am 5 foot eight and just less than 160 pounds and I’m presently using a Sleeveless L/T.
If you actually look at the sizing chart, L/T correlates with 6 foot five and 210 pounds.
Maybe I’m not the person to go by, but the wetsuit is still tight enough in the legs, hips and chest. And there is no constricted feeling now in the chest in terms of being too tight.
Hello Dalava, I am intimately familiar with draft legal races. What is it that makes you believe this?
Correct me if I am wrong, I was told that 2-peice wetsuits are not allowed in ITU draft legal races.
Legal or not, I can’t see how you could run from the water, removing goggles and cap and the top over your head, and start taking down the bib without dropping everything and therefore serving a penalty.
Hello Dalava, I am intimately familiar with draft legal races. What is it that makes you believe this?
Correct me if I am wrong, I was told that 2-peice wetsuits are not allowed in ITU draft legal races.
Legal or not, I can’t see how you could run from the water, removing goggles and cap and the top over your head, and start taking down the bib without dropping everything and therefore serving a penalty.
This is covered in Dan’s Exiting Your Wetsuit article.
Hello Dalava, I am intimately familiar with draft legal races. What is it that makes you believe this?
Correct me if I am wrong, I was told that 2-peice wetsuits are not allowed in ITU draft legal races.
Legal or not, I can’t see how you could run from the water, removing goggles and cap and the top over your head, and start taking down the bib without dropping everything and therefore serving a penalty.
This is covered in Dan’s Exiting Your Wetsuit article.
Hello Dalava, I am intimately familiar with draft legal races. What is it that makes you believe this?
Correct me if I am wrong, I was told that 2-peice wetsuits are not allowed in ITU draft legal races. Legal or not, I can’t see how you could run from the water, removing goggles and cap and the top over your head, and start taking down the bib without dropping everything and therefore serving a penalty.
Myself and all other owners of DeSotos have been doing it for years at triathlon events. It’s actually quite easy.
Just like removing a one-piece, it just takes a little practice, which just like any other wetsuit starts with throwing your cap, goggles, into the personal gear box.
Hello Dalava, I am intimately familiar with draft legal races. What is it that makes you believe this?
Correct me if I am wrong, I was told that 2-peice wetsuits are not allowed in ITU draft legal races. Legal or not, I can’t see how you could run from the water, removing goggles and cap and the top over your head, and start taking down the bib without dropping everything and therefore serving a penalty.
Myself and all other owners of DeSotos have been doing it for years at triathlon events. It’s actually quite easy.
Yup…. Goggles and cap off, then take the top off and as you’re pulling your arms out let go of your cap and goggles in your sleeve.
I’ve never stopped running while taking the wetsuit top off before as far as I can remember.
After reading a bit more on this site (it’s a wealth of information on wetsuit), I believe she’s probably sized wrong, or the design her her current suit does not fit her torso length (she has a little longer torso for her height/weight), and adding to the issue is her broader than normal shoulders. All contributed to the feeling she described as “being pulled down by the suit”.
We will embark on getting a properly fitted suit for her.
On the topic of 1- vs 2-piece, she just finished her USAT junior elite this summer, and will start racing NCAA D1 as well as more ITU Elite races, so I am not sure if the 2-piece will work for her given the complexity of taking 2 pieces off.
On the topic of 1- vs 2-piece, she just finished her USAT junior elite this summer, and will start racing NCAA D1 as well as more ITU Elite races, so I am not sure if the 2-piece will work for her given the complexity of taking 2 pieces off.
We are all unsure of things of which we are not educated, and we become sure by learning and practicing. There is nothing complex about the process of removing 2 pieces, especially compared to getting a 1-piece wetsuit to fit one’s body properly.
