So I am torn between the below three versions. I am a late comer to the tri scene and started in my late 40’s and I am now 58 yo. I taught myself to swim freestyle, a couple of lessons, a bunch of youtube videos and some reading on this site. I am not a fast swimmer and never really push myself during the swim leg. My pace is around 2 min/100 meters and I have only seen marginal improvements over the years. That’s a little bit of my swim ability. Also, do mostly HIM races but I did do one full IM with maybe another one down the road. Ok, so between the below three which should I get?
Mens Maverick Comp II $325
Mens Maverick MX (maximum buoyancy) $395
Mens Maverick Pro II $450
I absolutely love my Maverick MX. Float like a fishing bobber. Starting my 2nd open water season with it. I hope it lasts for 10 more.
I followed the ROKA size guide, and the one they say for 6’1"/185 was too small. Returned it straightaway, and sized up. Large is perfect! Goes on/off easily. Zips up easily solo too.
I’ve gotten two open water swims in my maverick comp II and I’m really happy with it so far. I was nervous about their fit size but damn it fits brilliantly. I’m coming from a sleeveless Xterra and while the neoprene feels more thon and supple than the Xterra the bouyancy is outrageous. I honestly couldn’t imagine the MX but that’s just my two cents.
I’ve gotten two open water swims in my maverick comp II and I’m really happy with it so far. I was nervous about their fit size but damn it fits brilliantly. I’m coming from a sleeveless Xterra and while the neoprene feels more thon and supple than the Xterra the bouyancy is outrageous. I honestly couldn’t imagine the MX but that’s just my two cents.
I love my Comp, but would go MX if I could swap it out today. I noticed my Comp II had less buoyancy than my Xterra Vortex. The old Vortex was an awful wetsuit that constantly gave me God awful chafing on the back of my neck, but goodness it was buoyant. As soon as I jumped in the water it brought my ass to the surface. Instant lift. My Comp doesn’t do that. It’s buoyant but not even in the same league as my Xterra. I had a Blue Seventy and it was similar to that suit. Personally I just think as I tire in the water, the extra lift would help keep my hips on the surface.
I feel like they now just focus on sunglasses… no more r&d going into wetsuits… I am out on roka when my wetsuits wear out.
What makes you say this? I’m not saying you are wrong but I’m just wondering if this is your perception or if it is based on something else. It does seem to me that they are spending a lot of money on marketing for the eyewear but I chalk it up to the fact that they are pretty established on the wetsuit side of things but are fighting like hell to take market share from Oakley and others.
I think from a cash flow standpoint it would be crazy for them to give up on some investment in wetsuits since their market position there is their bread and butter (their cash cow if you will). They have to keep bringing some new things if they want to keep milking their cash cow. IMO.
For you ex-Vortex owners, how easily does the Roka wetsuit compare to the Vortex? I’m talking those outer fingernail-looking tears, which seem to happen no matter what on my Vortex, even if I wear gloves
I started wetting my wetsuit before putting it on. If you soak it for a minute, it will go on a lot easier. It is not always practical, but for practice swims it helps a ton.
I do this as well. I read somewhere that if you soak it prior to swimming, that it is less time that the wetsuit has to absorb water making it more effective at the start of your swim. Kinda like taking a dry sponge and doing the dishes with it, the sponge has to soak up water. Of course this could be an urban myth, so who knows! But sounds logical, lol!
I also use a grocery bag to put the legs on. I put the bag on my foot and slide it into the wetsuit. God help me when my Hi-Health bags fall apart since they closed all their retail stores and went strictly online.