On the front page is a new article about the new desoto water rover. Its a two part wet suit. I’ve never worn a two part wet suit and would think that taking off such a suit would take much more time than a standard wetsuit. Is this true? Who used two part wet suits and can comment on taking off time of such suits?
Frank
I used to expend a huge amount of time and effort getting off my Ironman wetsuit, even with liberal amounts of lubrication. With my DeSoto two piece, it’s just like Emilio demonstrates on his website video – it almost peels itself off (I’m not quite fast as he is – which is 13 seconds). And it’s the warmest, most comfortable wetsuit I’ve ever owned.
As with a one-piece suit, you need a bit training. (I guess we’ll all seen people using 5 minutes struggeling in T1 to remove a standard 1-piece suit.).
When you know how, there are no difference in time. (Well - I use a few seconds more to remove my DeSoto top **when running **out of the water - saving 1-3 seconds when standing still - easier to remove the bottom.)
I allways take the top off just as I get out of the water.
If you wear the bib-johns then you would take the top of those down while running to T1 and then the rest comes off like a 1 piece suit.
Personally I wear a Speedtube which in my opinion, comes off easier.
jaertj
Hey Frank,
Your questions are answered here:
I also have a T1, I have my top off before I even get out of the water. Bottoms come off very easy as well. No way a 1-piece can come off easier.
As others have said, they come off very easy. I don’t see there being any sort of time penalty in removal for a one piece vs. a two piece. However, it is a little more inconvenient to have to carry the top through transition after you take it off.
As others have said, very easy to do. Just like in the video of Emilio doing it. I can barely dress myself in the morning and I have been able to do it without incident.
You should always remove your fins before taking the rest of the suit off.
I don’t let the wetsuit strippers help me after IM swims as I get my T1 off faster than the strippers can remove one piece wetsuits from the other contestants.
Without wetsuit strippers around, it’s no contest at all.
I allways take the top off just as I get out of the water.
I found this to be key. It is much easier to get the top off if there is still a little bit of water under the suit.
I’ll pull open the neck some to let in some water before I stand up and then take off the top as I’m standing up. It slips right off, and I have one of the old kind w/o the zipper.
I am wonder how hard it might be to get 10mm of rubber off over my bony ankles, though.
Victor
+1 to 2 piece wetsuit easier to take off then regular wetsuit. I have De Soto First Wave and i love it. First of all it’s very easy to put on and i don’t need to look for anyone to zip me up, i just do it myself. Second, it’s easy and pretty fast to take off, I too take off the top right out of the water and then pull the bib john half way down as i run to T1. Also because the legs are not that long it’s comes right off.
I didn’t time myself on taking it off but i’m sure i can take it off in 13 seconds like Emilio.