Are there any retailers in Canada that allow customers to try suits and return them if they don’t fit?
I know Roka, Desoto and Xterra allow this.
The problem with Roka and Desoto is that being in Canada, we get hit with big shipping charges each way ($50+) and import taxes that we have to do a bunch of paperwork, receipts etc to mail off to Revenue Canada to try to get back if we return an item.
Most of the bigger tri retailers in Canada (triboutique, etc) seem to have return policies that say wetsuits must be unused with tags attached to be returned.
I’m currently in a Desoto, which is great, but have lost some weight, and while a new Desoto top is on my list (and there is one Canadian retailer that has some stock), I’d also love to try:
Huub Archimedes
Zone3 Aspire/Vanquish etc
Blue Seventy Helix
Tyr C5
I did actually try a couple from Roka last year, and they just didn’t work for me, and again, was out well over $100 to try them because of shipping (not Roka’s fault of course, they had great customer service!).
But doesn’t seem to be any option to try the other suits in Canada without accepting that you’ll simply have to try to resell them if they don’t work for you…
You could try Matt at Endurosport in Toronto. purchasing@endurosport.com
I just got a Helix from them and was worried about the sizing. Not only did he get the size perfect, it was a great price and be also said any problems and it could be swapped out for other suits/sizes etc. I’m sure the tags erc would still need to be on it etc. You would have to pay the return shipping etc, cheaper then import tax every time though.
Seemed very knowledgable and friendly. Certainly great customer relations and I would have no problem purchasing from them again either.
You could also try Trigeeks, they have been very good both on the phone and on line. I have some de soto gear from them and again said I could return it if the sizing was wrong.
And my local cyclelogik in Ottawa who has great customer service. Think they only have Ninteen wetsuits though. But worth a try.
That’s going to be a bit of a challenge for you - other than Aerobics First, in Halifax, there are no retailers in the region who stock a decent selection of triathlon wetsuits.
They seem to offer rentals that cost $45, no mention of what brand or model you’ll get, and I assume it needs to be picked up or shipped (more $$)?
I’m looking to try a selection of new suits on, not pay for a miscellaneous rental!
Seriously though, thanks for the reply, just not what I’m looking for.
They seem to offer rentals that cost $45, no mention of what brand or model you’ll get, and I assume it needs to be picked up or shipped (more $$)?
I’m looking to try a selection of new suits on, not pay for a miscellaneous rental!
Seriously though, thanks for the reply, just not what I’m looking for.
I have purchased lots from them for cycling gear in the past. Not sure what their wetsuit return policy is, and would still be dealing with import taxes.
And, the last time I ordered something from them, they listed the value on the package as Canadian $$. Customs then assumed it was in pounds because of where it was from, so did the conversion again to Canadian, and thus way over charged me for import tax…
I thought you Canadians were tough as mud, embraced the cold, and didn’t need external protection from temps above the freezing point of water. Are you an immigrant or something?
I find that if you do the measurements right, you can pretty much order the proper size wetsuit.
If you have a weird height/weight ratio… then usually a quick email to the wetsuit company can resolve.
My wife bought a Sailfish wetsuit from Wiggle last year. Perfect fit, no customs problems. You really should have taken that up with customs to get your money back. Even with customs charges, their prices are more competitive than local merchants.
I’m not sure on their policy for returns etc but there is a group of guys in Canada who are making wetsuits (Nineteen). I think they are in Ontario so it’s not close to NS but give them a shout and find out what they can do to help you. As long as you can take measurements they will likely have a pretty firm idea on which size will be best.
I thought you Canadians were tough as mud, embraced the cold, and didn’t need external protection from temps above the freezing point of water. Are you an immigrant or something?
Yes, but with all the snow and ice up here the lakes don’t thaw out very early. My current OWS temp has been around 62 F (17 C for people that don’t live in Liberia, Myanmar or the U.S.)
