Swimskin/speedsuit - worth it?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am doing IM Cozumel in a few weeks and debating getting a swimskin. My current tri top is not very hydrodynamic but it hasen’t been an issue because I am pretty much always in a wetsuit in all my major races.

So, what kind of a difference can I expect in an IM swim if I swim in just my tri shorts (no top) vs. wearing a speedsuit/swimskin/whatever you prefer to call it? FWIW, in a HIM I am good for a 34 minute swim while wearing a wetsuit, so not FOP on the swim by any means but not super slow either.

PLEASE DO NOT WASTE ENERGY POSTING IF YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ANSWER THE SPECIFIC QUESTION I HAVE ASKED***

Thank you :slight_smile:

2

Yes, get one if you can afford it. B70 PZ3TX is the best. It’s about ~35-45 seconds faster per 1000 yards for me in the pool.

3

Options:

  1. Ditch the tri-top it will cost you 20s in transition to put it on
  2. Invest in a ITU suit (e.g. Kiwami Amphibian) very hydrodynamic and can be used in shorter races (my preffered suit)
  3. Get a swimskin, fork out $300-400 for 1-2mins savings (being generous)

It is a cost/benefit scenario. Personally unless a KQ was on the line I would look at option 1 or 2. I think swimskins are only useful for two types of people, 1. people who are looking for a KQ and need every second, 2. people whose swim is at the front of the MOP, an extra minute reduction in time could significantly reduce the traffic in T1 and onto the bike.

4

There are time savings in the water - 2 - 5 sec/100m. So not huge. It can also clean-up and speed up T1 as you can wear what you normally wear on the bike underneath the swim skin. Just pull off the swim skin and away you go. The other option( for men) is to go bare torso, but then trying to pull on a tight fitting tri top in T1 is a pain.

If you go with the swim skin, make sure it fits properly ie very tight. I have seen many people wearing both the 1st generation swim skins and now these 2nd generation ones too lose. The in the water time savings will be nullified and you may even be slower then with a bare torso if the garment is not very tight fitting.

5

I’m doing cozumel also, and felt the best choice was to get the kiwami amphibian. Just got it in the mail the other day, really cool looking, going to the pool tomorrow.

Only thing is, theres no pad in it, not even a little fleece. So unless youre really comfortable on your saddle its not going to be fun. Im riding the ism adamo, so havent used a pad for years.

6

$0.02

swimskins are nice as they are faster (slightly) and they feel faster, which is the part I like. I enjoy swimming in mine.

they also eliminate two mistakes I have made:

  • swimming in my tri-top sucked. I used to have a Tyr Tracer. It felt skin tight, almost like a compression top. I loved it on the bike and run, but I once swam in it in a surprise no-wetsuit swim. DISASTER. It ballooned out like a parachute. Major drag.
  • trying to put on a top in T1 is a WOT. since I “learned” from my earlier race, I tried swimming bare chested and putting a tri-top on afterwards. IMPOSSIBLE. A major WOT. It went ok in practice but was a mess on race day.

Since my swimskin will be outlawed, I’ve been mulling the 78 Degree top from DeSoto. Its a tri-top but its snug and slick like a skin. You could go that route, though I’m not sure its intended for the I’M distance.

edited for one more thought:
since your question was about the time benefit of the swimskin versus no swimskin, don’t limit it to just the time in the water. Fleck said it best; the swimskin will let you wear your full kit and roll right out of T1. that’s WAY faster than attempting a costume change in the tent.

7

I remember the ITU pros would go bare-chested but have their top shoved into the back of their shorts for the swim. As they exited the water, they’d pull it out and put it on while running into T1. Much easier since it’s already wet.

8

There are time savings in the water - 2 - 5 sec/100m. So not huge.\

Really?? Did you forget the decimal point, or are you talking about wetsuits and not swimskins? And 5 seconds is a HUGE time savings per 100m. I guess I can see a way your statement is true, swimskin vs full length levis, but up to 5 seconds per 100m??

9

Hey Monty,

Our Liftfoil Speed Trisuit with floatpad offers similar time savings. We have found that the 5 second savings tend to be found among swimmers who average 1:20-1:40 per hundred and the faster the swimmer, the smaller the time savings, but nonetheless, it works.

I hope mama and baby Wyatt are well. Lets catch up sometime.

LIFTFOIL

http://www.desotosport.com/mm/graphics/00000001/LF1_6.jpg

10

I’m going through this same exercise too.

Right now I’m leaning toward the Liftfoil, from what it sounds like it’s close to as slick/fast as the Blue 70 about 100 bucks less expensive and I don’t have to remove it after the swim (and leave my 300 dollar swim skin in transition). I also like that it’s got the zipper in front so I can unzip it during the run.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

11

Have found that my Tyr Torque Pro is good for about 2-3 seconds/100 SCY in the pool (measured over a 4,200 SCY swim).

Makes T1 easier, as you’re not putting anything on while wet.

12

IM Coz is not like the many other IM swims. Its in the ocean and the you get a serious “downstream” current on the southboand leg. For whats its worth, did a 1:08 at IMUSA (wetsuit) same year and a :59 at IMCozy (One piece Kiwami) on no more training and felt like less effort. Tip: Stay all the way RIGHT on start and you might be able to avoid some of the “upcurrent”. It was so strong we had to hold on real tight to the pier at start.

13

The only downside of wearing something that functions as a swim skin during the rest of the race is that the swim is the additional wear and tear on your gear. On the bike the inner leg of the suit can chafe, and the back can get stretched out. If you crash, that’s an extra something you’ll inevitably have to replace. The whole suit in general gets stretched out the more you wear it, so if you wear your “swim skin” for the whole race, the overall life of the suit is greatly decreased.

Taking off a swim skin in T1 is super easy–takes like 10 seconds max.

14

You are heading down the right path. Our front-zipper design for men swims better and faster than rear zipper suits. We are the only company that has figured out how to do this so we are the only company with a front-zipper Speedsuit. I believe we are also the only company with a Speedsuit that is a Trisuit.

Remember, I want to personally invite you to try the product out and form your own opinion. Buy it, wear it, test it, and decide for yourself. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you risk nothing but the time to test it. Please read our guarantee below, see if any of our competitors will offer you the same and let me know if you have any other questions.

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

De Soto Sport offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on anything you buy from our website. If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction within 30 days of the purchase date, return it for a replacement, or a refund. Anything you buy from one of our authorized retailers is guaranteed through the retailer. All exchanges and refunds must be done through the retailer. Their policy may be different so please ask before purchasing.

15

I am doing IM Cozumel in a few weeks and debating getting a swimskin. My current tri top is not very hydrodynamic but it hasen’t been an issue because I am pretty much always in a wetsuit in all my major races.

So, what kind of a difference can I expect in an IM swim if I swim in just my tri shorts (no top) vs. wearing a speedsuit/swimskin/whatever you prefer to call it? FWIW, in a HIM I am good for a 34 minute swim while wearing a wetsuit, so not FOP on the swim by any means but not super slow either.

PLEASE DO NOT WASTE ENERGY POSTING IF YOU DO NOT INTEND TO ANSWER THE SPECIFIC QUESTION I HAVE ASKED***

Thank you :slight_smile:
Save your money and swim in your shorts because you will be bouyant in the very salty waters.

16

full length levis

Whoa, maybe that’s my problem…

17

I’m considering the same thing right now. I’m a slower swimmer than you–I just learned how, really–so I might have even more to gain from a swimskin.

Emilio, I’ve seen the suit you mention, and I have raced the tris I’ve done (up to a 70.3) in a DeSoto suit. I like it a lot, and I’m planning to wear my DeSoto tri suit in Cozumel. Tell me this: is the suit that you mention–the Liftfoil–good for a full Ironman? Or is it only suitable for shorter distance tris? If it’s good for a full IM, then I’ll consider getting a Liftfoil and wearing it in Cozumel rather than my regular DeSoto suit.

Thanks!

19

Great question. If you do not need the 5 pockets of your Forza Trisuit and you do not mind riding with a wetsuit trisuit and the salt that comes with swimming in the Cozumel, then the Liftfoil is a great option. I have been there and even though it is tropical, it is breezy and not that hot really. But why does the use of the Liftfoil vs the Forza Trisuit with 5 pockets need to be mutually exclusive?

What I mean is this…look, you are racing an Ironman. Say it is a 10 hour race for you. That is a 600 minute race for you. If it takes you one minute to change out of the Liftfoil after the swim and into the Forza Trisuit before the bike, in order to be dry, have the pockets, the be in the Trisuit you have already used and you know it is comfortable for you, that minute will probably be made up in other ways, and if not, then it only cost you an addition .16% of time.

I would say get the Liftfoil, use it to swim, maybe to bike and run, but at least you have options that are all great options.

20

I will be racing Coz also. My wife did it last year and I got to really watch the whole thing knowing I would be racing this year. From what I saw, the only people who were swimming in their tri tops were those who seemed to be newbies or clueless. The rest (majority) were bare chested or in tight full body suits.There is nothing worse than a baggy top. I will take the time to put on a tri top in transition. It is not the end of the world to do so.

21

Hey Jon,

If you are in town come on by. If you want to spend time trying things on, come today or tomorrow or friday. If you want to come to look for bargains, come on thursday as we are having a parking lot sale and the rest of the place will be closed. See below:

THURSDAY October 27, 2011
Time: 12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM
Cash Only (no checks or credit cards)
7584 Trade Street San Diego 92121 / Miramar Area

Click here for Map and Directions

Samples, prototypes, wash test items, slight blems, seconds, discontinued styles.

Also on sale are late model and demo T1 Wetsuits!

Also, a limited supply of windproof Polartec Fleece Jackets that were regular $120, now only $40.00 each.

Cash Only and there is no sales tax!

All other items sold will be priced as folllows:

SALE PRICE ITEMS REGULAR PRICE
$50 used to be $190-$140
$30 used to be $139-$70
$20 used to be $69-52
$10 used to be $51-30
$5 for lots of other random stuff

For the first time ever we will be blowing out a limited stock of demo and late model T1 Wetsuits!

There will be no changing rooms, sorry. All sales are final! At these prices, there are no refunds, returns, exchanges, warranty, or repairs on any of these garments.

Cash Only and no sales tax!

The fine print:

Nothing that is in the SALE ITEMS section of our website will be sold at this sale. All pieces listed on our website are top quality styles that are from only the past season. Nothing at this sale will ever be listed on our website afterwards. The prices are simply too low for it to be worth spending the time listing them. All sales are final! There are no refunds, returns, exchanges, warranty, or repairs on any of these garments.