Wondered what people thought of the TYR Cat 5 suit, especially those that had switched from B70 as a comparison.
Cheers
Chris
Actually, rather than comapring it just what the feedback is from anyone using the FON or Cat5 or TYR in general?
Crickets
Because who would switch from the “best” to “just par”?
TYR needed to put an Olympic swimmer in their suit just to make it fast enough to keep up with the BOP’ers in BlueSeventy’s!
TYR is what I cry when I look at the neckline of the CAT series.
Actually, I know absolutely nothing about TYR other than their new tri suits look pretty cool and I’m sure the CAT5 is a great suit, but honestly, why would I deviate from what I know works for me.
That being said, if TYR wants to send me a CAT5 to test out, I will gladly give it a go and write a review from the perspective of the average AG’er.
Forgive my humor, I’m still high on allergy medicine that is supposedly “non-drowsy”, yet you need a license to buy it at the pharmacy and you can make crack out of it or something. But no, it’s non-drowsy. Whatever.
Wondered what people thought of the TYR Cat 5 suit, especially those that had switched from B70 as a comparison.
Cheers
Chris
I switched from the Helix to the Cat 5 and it was a great decision for me. The Cat 5 to me feels far less restrictive in my shoulders.
Wondered what people thought of the TYR Cat 5 suit, especially those that had switched from B70 as a comparison.
Cheers
Chris
I switched from the Helix to the Cat 5 and it was a great decision for me. The Cat 5 to me feels far less restrictive in my shoulders.
Same here.
Wondered what people thought of the TYR Cat 5 suit, especially those that had switched from B70 as a comparison.
Cheers
Chris
I switched from the Helix to the Cat 5 and it was a great decision for me. The Cat 5 to me feels far less restrictive in my shoulders.
+2
I swam for 2 years in Helix and now have 2 years in Cat 5.
Cat 5 out performed in every venue I swam in.
just bought new TYR Hurricaine 5 and using it this weekend in Henderson ITU. Only swam in it twice but really noticed the freedom of movement in shoulders over the Blue Seventy Helix. I tested the Helix extensively but found it tight in shoulders no matter what size. Race day tomorrow and with the winds might need the extra floatation too.
+the rest on freedom in shoulders.
I’ve had a good few suits over the years and last season changed to tyr cat 5. It’s personal of course but i found it to be an amazingly good fit, free in the shoulders, and very quick to get off with little to no water ingress. One major issue is how easily it can rip. You have to be Very disciplined putting it on(not pulling from groin/lower ab region panel).
My view on other suits I’ve tried below…
Orca apex - paper thin upper body and arms make it susceptible to ingress and although it is a great suit when first purchased it loses it’s speed quickly as it wears out and seams become permeable.
Bs helix - tight in shoulders, I feel this suit is good for thin framed people. Anecdotally all people who I know who love this suit are thin framed.
2xu v1 - got this when it first came out and found it to be like swimming in a straight jacket. Like wearing a suit made out of continental gatorskins!
there is a common theme developing here. thanks
Having a swimming background I can say I am not really a fan of any wetsuit. But the CAT5 is by far the best feeling and fastest wetsuit I have swam in. If I had to recommend a wetsuit it would be the CAT5
One major issue is how easily it can rip. You have to be Very disciplined putting it on(not pulling from groin/lower ab region panel).
I’ll risk coming to a competitors defense, to state that this is not at TYR issue per say, it’s a high end rubber issue and an ongoing education issue that has to keep going on between, manufacturers, retailers and wetsuit owners.
We have seen a marked jump this year at Nineteen, in finger-nail cut complaints and issues ( not just with our suits but other brands as well - we run repairs though our warehouse). Whenever I am giving PK sessions with our retailers, or I am doing demos or working on sales floors directly with end-user customers, I go way out of my way to emphasis how delicate the rubber that we *all *use on all of our higher end, and thus more expensive wetsuits. I can’t speak for others in the business, but these cuts are not covered under our Warranty policy as they are owner induced. We do our best to be as understanding, helpful and expeditious with these problems whenever they arise, but the roots of the problem, I sense is in the education of how to handle these delicate materials and a lot of newer people buying these suits and not knowing how to handle them. We all need to collectively pitch in with the ongoing education.
If you own a wetsuit that is made of Yamamoto 39 smooth-skin rubber, please always handle the wetsuit with the utmost care. If you do, fingernail cuts and issues should be minimized.
Hope this helps.
I’d agree with you 100%, everytime I’ve ripped it, it has been completely my own fault because of my impatience/lack of concentration/bad technique in putting the suit on. It’s an education process for sure and maybe something that manufacturers should emphasize retailers to school customers on. The seams on the Cat5 have had no problems so gluing process is not a factor.
Tyr = way too tight. Had to go up like two sizes from where it recommended. Plus, the Yamamoto 39 is like swiss cheese - puntures easily. Although I know B70 is made of this as well. Ironically the better Yamamoto 40 has a harder time puncturing, at least from my experience. I have an Aquaman wetsuit (which run a little large), but is the best wetsuit I’ve ever tried of the so called top-of-the-line suits. Your better off having to reorder a smaller size because the one you have is too large, then trying a small one on from TYR (possibly ripping it) and not able to reoder another one. Plus, aquamans customer service (IMO) is the best. Emmanuel on this site is the Aquamann rep.
Now I know this doen’t necessarily answer your question about TYR vs Blue70. However, I have had a B70 and tried the TYR and I need to vent that TYR has a terrible sizing system. I was warned beforehand, but it was even worse off than I thought (especially for the small sizes). No doubt, it is a good wetsuit if it fits right. I suspect Andy has something custom for him (or perhaps the suit was designed for him), but be warned they run very small.
Hope this Helps,
Chris
I had a 2009 Blue Seventy Helix & this year I bought a TYR Cat 5.
I am someone who has a big upper body (built more like a football player).
The reason I replaced the Blue Seventy was I have lost about 30 pound and the Blue Seventy was too big. I had a Blue Seventy XL and went to a TYR Large.
The thing I noticed in the TYR is that my shoulders would fatigue in this suit more during 30+ minute swims, I don’t think I have as good a range of motion in the TYR. I know that is contrary to what others are saying on here, but this has been my experience. The only reason I switched brands is because I got a very good deal on the CAT5 and figured it would be the same as the Blue Seventy. I would say the suits are very similar, but for me I preferred the Blue Seventy.
I will say that the Blue Seventy is a much more durable product than TYR’s. I had one cut in the Blue Seventy, but it was due to a Wetsuit stripper. The TYR has two cuts in it and I have been very careful with this suit. Two other people I know who one the TYR Cat 5 both have the same complaint.
I think you should probably try on both suits and see what’ most comfortable, but I think on consensus on here you will notice is the Blue Seventy is more durable.
No custom for me (although happy for a willing sponsor!), as with bikes etc its all personal, I guess I’m just lucky that mine fits quite well. I use the stock suit ML size, i’m 6’1" and raced this year at 160lbs so it’s possible that I just fall within a relevant body profile for sizing they used for triathlete’s.