I have an Xterra Wetsuit from 2013… It’s seen ‘light use’ over the years but it’s now more than 10 years old. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it (some small tears here and there but really just cosmetic. I believe neoprene does degrade over time, even if just hung up in a closet, correct? Has wetsuit tech improved over the past decade that a new one would benefit me (mid / weaker swimmer - ~2:00/100M Avg for HIM).
Looking at 2XU Propel 1 as I have connection for a great price. Thoughts?
Neoprene does degrade, but slowly. I find that it tends to loose flexibility, and develop cracks around areas that have more demands for the flexibility such as arm pits.
Technology hasn’t changed much. I also recently upgraded a 2012 suit, and great fit + good buoyancy is still king. Nothing making you magically faster. The new high end suits tend to mix very buoyant torsos with very flexible shoulders, which is a very nice feel but for most people doesn’t test any faster than one level down with pure buoyancy (feel and watch don’t always agree, though in my case it was also not slower).
If you can, test the fit. That’s your best guess at optimal wetsuit.
There are lots of variables (storage conditions, frequency of use, etc.), but I’ve never had a wetsuit fail due to the age of the neoprene (note: Emilio recommends “rehydrating” a wetsuit before the start of the season by soaking it to prevent rips). I have a 20yo wetsuit that I still use as a knock-around suit for OWS training, and my racing suit, a 2XU, is probably 10 years old (but only gets used a handful of times/year). When I have replaced suits it’s usually due to just too many stitching/glued seam failures and cuts.
As for upgrading for performance, the newer suits have gotten better shoulder flexibility; though at this point it’s fairly incremental. The current suits aren’t radically faster than than those of a decade ago, but are a bit more comfortable. I’d look at an update as a “like to have” vs. a “need to have”. YMMV.
One nice thing is that the forum has some super-knowledgeable folks with decades in the performance wetsuit industry (Dan, Karen, etc.) who can hopefully weigh in.
It’s interesting, I’ve got 2 wetsuits from that era (actually older too) that no longer fit me, but I keep to lend to newbies and then have been given them back after. They have some nicks in them, but the rubber is still fine. However, I’ve binned 2 more modern HUUB suits where the rubber has degraded despite being rinsed after used and kept in better conditions than the old ones. The new rubber is possibly better performing, but way less enduring than the old stuff. The 2008 2XU is looking almost new where the 3year old huub had cracks on shouders/under arm, all down side torso and had been glued on seems with a split in the collar.
#theydontmaestuffliketheydidingoodolddays #longlivespencersmithspeedos
I’ve got 3 wetsuits ‘on the go’.
Two are battered and knackered but still just about intact enough to use as a ‘knocking around’ suit.
a Huub suit from when they 1st set up, back in about 2012 (??) - literally their first production run. The neoprene is worn out down to the inner fabric lining under the arms and between the legs. The neck line is ragged - but nice and soft and m
comfy. It’s got a few nicks, and finally the shoulder material is starting to look a little fatigued / early signs of being ‘perished’. But I still use it as a training suit, swims with the dog, etc.
2015 vintage Orca 3.8 all the thinner panels (shoulders, sides, Part of back) are shot - have been for probably 4 or 5 years now - all broken up and bobbly/ rough. So are everyone else’s 3.8s I’ve seen from that era. Mega flexi as a result. But defo no insulation benefit around those panels. Legs and front of suit still pretty good though. Wouldn’t use it for racing and at some point I’m going to get a foot longer rip in it.
Both suits have had lots of use - probably 2 or 3 times a week, all year round. So no complaints.
3rd suit is near mint as it’s under a year old (another Orca).
Agree about soaking the suit after it’s been unused for a while. It definitely softens the material. I don’t know why given its closed foam. Maybe the bind with the inner fabric ? But it’s the same phenomenon I was used to in my white water kayaking days where neoprene shorts, spray decks etc were always more stretchy after wetting.
In 2003, I raced at Point Mugu California where the water temp is 55 degrees. My friends told me I needed a long sleeve and found another acquaintance who had an old long sleeve I could use. I’m pretty sure it is one of the first QR wetsuits that Dan/slowman made in his first factory. I’ve never seen the need to replace it and I pulled it out just last week to get a feel for it again. The neck has come undone but it still does its job effectively. I would guess it is at least 30 years old.
never too old, as long as it still fits and floats…
replaced my first wetsuit because it tore along the zipper stitching. my new Xterra wetsuit dates to 2006 and I’m still racing in it. Neoprene doesn’t degrade much if at all, unless exposed to a lot of heat which will typically make it stiff and brittle. That will become obvious as soon as putting on the wetsuit…
I have neoprene fishing waders from the 90s which eventually became porous and leaky, but that took 30 years.
wetsuits are quite individual, if you can get a good price on the 2xU it’s worth getting it just to try.
I had an entry level Xterra that was 8 years old, didn’t love the shoulder restriction. I actually switched to an even older BlueSeventy Helix that I found on the classifieds. It has to have been 15 years old with plenty of use. Both wetsuits tested 6-8 sec faster per 100yd in the pool and the Helix feels a million times better on my shoulders. It even leaks in a little water through the wrists.