I plan to do a triathlon involving a long (4k) and very cold (high 50s) swim. I also need a new wetsuit. Is there a preferred brand or model that is particularly suitable for such a swim ? Should I be thinking about adding a sleeveless wetsuit top over or under the wetsuit ?
FWIW: I am a mediocre and skinny swimmer; flotation and warmth is more important than speed. The race does not allow gloves, but I will wear neoprene booties, a neoprene hood with a silicon hood under it, and earplugs. Any other suggestions ?
I plan to do a triathlon involving a long (4k) and very cold (high 50s) swim. I also need a new wetsuit. Is there a preferred brand or model that is particularly suitable for such a swim ? Should I be thinking about adding a sleeveless wetsuit top over or under the wetsuit ?
FWIW: I am a mediocre and skinny swimmer; flotation and warmth is more important than speed. The race does not allow gloves, but I will wear neoprene booties, a neoprene hood with a silicon hood under it, and earplugs. Any other suggestions ?
I regularly swim 1 to 2.5 miles in mid/high-50s Pacific water in a normal 1:3:5 Roka wetsuit, no booties. Lots of my friends do the same, in the same collection of normal wetsuits you’d see anywhere else. A few folks use sleeveless, and a few hardy folks eschew wetsuits entirely, which seems crazy to me. Emilio sandwich of cap, hood, cap is nice, though whether the additional caps actually matter much I’m not sure. Personally, I’d want a suit that allowed me to swim as naturally as possible, rather than a ridiculously thick suit that impeded my stroke.
Lots of races in NorCal swim in those water temps (Alcatraz, Santa Cruz) and most people use a normal wetsuit. When you said very cold, I was picturing high 40’s.
As mentioned, there is the B70 Helix Thermal.
As far as the earplugs, cap, etc. you’re doing everything right. Also make sure to warmup before the start (jogging, etc.) so that you start with some body heat.
Another thing that has helped me in cold water swims is wear a merino wool T-shirt (long or short sleeve) under your wet suit. It helps keep your core warm.
DeSoto T-1, you get two pieces with some overlapping of the rubber. I believe you can even get a thicker top that the standard 1 piece suits too, more rubber = more warmth all things equal.
Another thing that has helped me in cold water swims is wear a merino wool T-shirt (long or short sleeve) under your wet suit. It helps keep your core warm.
On land, that wool t-shirt helps by trapping air near your body that your body can heat up. Under the wetsuit, I suppose it plays an analogous function by holding space for a tad more warmed-up water, but wool also absorbs water into its structure, so synthetic seems like a better choice if you’re going to do this.
Any full wetsuit. With a neoprene cap and booties optional. Many races here in the PNW are in high 50F waters and all of us swim in them just fine with nothing but a wetsuit and race provided swim caps.
DeSoto T-1, you get two pieces with some overlapping of the rubber. I believe you can even get a thicker top that the standard 1 piece suits too, more rubber = more warmth all things equal.
Since tri wetsuits are limited to 5mm of rubber, the DeSoto suits use 3mm bibs and 2mm tops. Those add to 5mm over some key core area, but that also means a lot of the torso is only covered by 2mm of neoprene in a DeSoto. If that thicker top actually exists, it would violate the 5mm limits. They do make a model with thicker arms, but that’s primarily to increase the surface area for pulling, not sure how significant the warmth difference would be.
I’ve actually tried both - synthetic and merino wool. The wool kept me warmer. The nice thing about wool is once it’s wet, it doesn’t feel that cold. I even use Merino wool socks for running in cold and/or wet weather.
Forgot to add that under my T-1 i will wear an old desoto poly pro long sleeve top. He used to make them really thick, check them out, it is like adding another 3mm of rubber in warmth. I use it primarily for surfing in really cold water, helps cut the wind too, and they are all legal!
In my experience at those temperatures a neoprene cap under a normal race cap with a normal wetsuit, (I use a Roka Pro) should be more than enough. I don’t bother with bootties either but I seem to not be bothered by cold too much, (also somewhat skinny at around 5’8" and 128lbs). Ultimately different people seem to have different tolerances for cold though so if you could try it out in advance that would be ideal.
I’ve read in several reviews that the Aquaman Gold Cell is one of the warmest out there…and it continuously tests as one of the fastest. This article by Dan explains why it is warmer.
I’ve read in several reviews that the Aquaman Gold Cell is one of the warmest out there…and it continuously tests as one of the fastest. This article by Dan explains why it is warmer.
When I first worked at PD, I wore all the suits and the Gold cell was toasty warm… But because of the layered nature of the neoprene, it tore very easily. I’m the Queen of Neoprene and I did a job on it. Yup, I was embarrassed. But not cold. If you have the body type to fit in Aquaman suits, then go for it. My present favorite is the B70 Helix Thermal… I was lucky enough to use one for Alcatraz this year, to guide a challenged athlete during the swim. We got caught in some bad conditions and spent a looong time in the soup. There were plenty of worries, but getting chilled wasn’t one of them. Plus the soft plushy lining felt like a favorite blanket or teddy bear… even when it got wet… I didn’t wear the insulated neoprene cap, because the chin strap doesn’t work for me. I did have on 2 silicone caps, which was OK. I did have the B70 neoprene socks on, wonderful…
As I have both the Metal Cell and Cell Gold, the Gold is incredibly warm! I have to switch to the Metal Cell mid season as the Gold gets too warm. I’d really go for that, as mine has been awesome for cold water swims. I think I’ve had it for 3 or 4 years, and it’s a really great suit.
I’ve read in several reviews that the Aquaman Gold Cell is one of the warmest out there…and it continuously tests as one of the fastest. This article by Dan explains why it is warmer.
I think above 70 or even 68 is a bit toasty for the suit. I’m glad I have both suits. They have been incredible and very fast. The cut is more likely to fit thinner athletes rather than very heavily muscled ones. I think that’s what she meant. I would highly recommend it and I’ve been quite comfortable in mid 50’s in it.
What water temperature do you consider it to be too warm in? And given Karen’s comment about having the right body type for that suit … what is that?
Thanks, I can’t stand my regular full suit over 70. And while I’m not the OP, I am interested in getting a warmer suit in the future as I’m considering Challenge Iceland.