So I lost over 20lbs since I started tris. yay for me. But, the wetsuit I bought when I started is now too big. How much will this slow me down? I really can’t afford a new one right now.
It really bags around the middle. And, its easy too put on. I can’t tell much difference swimming, but I wonder if a smaller one would feel much faster?
I had the same experience. You’ll find a better fitting wetsuit will feel faster and perform better, at least I did when I ‘downsized’
I bought a new wetsuit last fall because I had ‘outgrown’ my old one. It fit fine at first, then I lost about 20 lbs. I was having a hard time staying with people I swim with when we swam in wetsuits. W/O wetsuits I had no problem staying with them. I was still a little faster than w/o a wetsuit. I then lost another 10 lbs and could feel water flowing through the suit. I downsized my wetsuit and everything was back to normal. The wetsuit I ended up with is very tight. I felt like I was wearing compression sleeves on my arms, but once I got in the water it was gret.
Do what I do. Don’t wear one.
I bought my first wetsuit back in 2003 when I weighed 120lbs. I was at the bottom of weight range for the suit that I bought then. I now weigh 102 lbs. The old suit is very large on me and water flows through it. I raced in it last year at a weight of 105 or so and could feel water rushing through it. It definitely slowed me down. I just got a new, properly fitting suit and raced in it yesterday for the first time. What a difference!
By wearing the wrong size, you really aren’t helping yourself as much. Maybe look into buying one used or last years models. But try it on before you buy it if you can.
First off, congratulations on the weight loss. That’s great news.
Loosing 20 pounds is definately going to put you in a different size suit - perhaps even a need for a different brand, as all the brands fit a little differently. Swimming in a wetsuit that is too big, means water will leak into the suit, pool in the suit and end up slowing you down - often so much so that you swim slower with the wetsuit on!
I would urge you to look into getting a proper fitting wetsuit for this year. Relativly speaking wetsuits are not that expensive. I know that our entry level models delivery very good performance when they are sized and fitted properly. Short of a new one, you might want to think about renting a wetsuit.
Hope this helps.
thanks. I think I will rent for the first race and see how that goes.
thanks. I think I will rent for the first race and see how that goes.
Where do you live - generally? If you let me know I would be happy to send you to a shop that I know has a good selection of rental suits.