Basically full suits are supposed to be faster.
As to what brand, well the one that fits best would be the best one for you.
I have both a sleeveless and a full in the same suit. I am faster in the fullsuit and swimming seems more effortless as well.
Most manufacturers have good info on their websites re full sleeve vs. sleeveless. Once you’ve made that decision, the most important consideration, irrespective of brand, is fit.
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Generally speaking, you should be looking at a full suit. The short story is -they are warmer and faster. Some complain about the arm restriction problems in a full suit. If they are in the wrong brand of suit for them, the wrong size of suit or that suit is not fitted properly to them, then indeed, they are going to have some problems with arm movment. If you are in the right brand of suit for you, the right size and the suit is fitted to you properly, swimming in a full suit should feel like swimming in no suit - just wamer and faster!
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When shopping for a wetsuit, particularly your first one, I would suggest going to a shop that REALLY knows wetsuits and has a good selection of brands and sizes and the people in the shop know a lot about wetsuit fitting. Do not go in with a preconceived notion of the brand that you want - all the different brands fit a bit differently. You need to buy the one that fits YOU. I see many people, who for one reason or another are clearly wearing the wrong brand of suit for their size, shape and body type.
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Wetsuits of all levels should be taken care of properly, but particularly the high-end suits. The Yamamoto #39 rubber, which most of us use in our better wetsuits, is sensitive to rough abuse. Care and caution must be used when outting the suit on to avoid finger-nail cuts. Some of the entry-level suits, such as the Nineteen Pipeline are extraordinarily durable. In general, wash your suit out thoroughly after every use with fresh water then hang it up to dry inside out on a form fitting hanger. When dry, turn it right side out and leave it on the hanger. ALWAYS close the hook & loop fastener strap at the back of the neck when storing the suit. We see a few suits coming back in with abrasions caused by the rough side of the hook & loop abrading the neoprene just below the neck-line. This will never be a problem if you always store the suit with the fasterner at the back of the neck done up.
Hope this helps.
If is cold enough for a wet suit, I would now always wear a long.
I have a T1 2 piece and love it. But, the key need as has been posted is fit.
Each Mfg have a little different focus on the body type they really fit.
It has taken me a few types and many years to find one that fit my body type.
See what mfgs will let you try their suit, and return for a full refund if you do not like it.
I know T1 will.
Dave
h20fun advised you see who allows you to try on the suit and get a full refund if not satisfied. I strongly agree and recommend www.trisports.com. They give you a number of days (10, I think, but, it could be more) to try on the suit, use it in a pool, and return if not happy. I had 5 different manufacturers and sizes at one time, kept 1 and returned the other 4 for full refunds.
Like Dave, I went with the T1 and love it b/c it fits me best. That being said, I cannot say I was disappointed by any suit I tried. In fact, at least one was faster than my T1 in my informal 800 meter time trials. However, the T1 fit the best and was the most comfortable, which is the key, especially for IM distance races.
thread hijack
say I’m a MOP swimmer (23 min mile) with a sleeveless suit that fits perfectly well would it be worth it to buy a new full sleeve suit? I got mine now for free and never really considered it holding me back.
Define “worth it.” What is your goal? What distance do you race?
Obviously, the longer the race, the more difference this will make. So, in a sprint or oly, I would say, no, if it works for you and you do not get cold in races, keep the one you have. If you are going to 1/2 IM and want to drop a minute or so, then, it seems to me it would be worth it. Now, if you are talking IM, now you are talking the biggest advantage.
Many people want to talk about dropping several minutes by using a full wetsuit. That may happen b/c they are “faster.” But, it goes beyond that. It takes less effort to swim with a full wetsuit. So, you are getting out of the water slightly faster, but, more importantly, you are not as blown. For me, this is the huge advantage of the wetsuit, not necessarily the couple minutes I gain.
Man, what races do you do that 23 min/mile is a MOP swimmer? That time would put you clearly in the FOP
at all the races I do.
Dave
Most tests show a full suit is fastest, probably because of the flotation. Your current suit is faster than no wetsuit for the same reason. Buying a new fullsuit may help you a little, but will certainly not beat the value of your current suit.