Yes, I saw the recent thread about the Xterra wetsuits but I’m trying to decide between the Vector Pro X2 vs Vortex 3.
Has anyone tried both or have any input between the two. Given the ongoing sale, is the extra $150 worth the upgrade? Or should I just go with the $200 vortex 3.
I currently have a 4 year old Blue Seventy Helix that was given to me. I actually don’t really like it and it’s getting old. Just doesn’t feel very flexible.
Thanks
I’m not experienced with the Vector, nor am I a connoisseur of wetsuits.
But my guess is that just with most things, the less expensive option is nearly as good as the higher cost option.
FWIW, I opted for the Vortex.
When people discuss how much a wetsuit helps your swim, the answer is never: “about 10 seconds per hundred with a cheap one, but 15 seconds per hundred with a high-end one”.
i am really tempted to pull the trigger for the $99 sleeveless. what is the biggest drawback for sleeveless vs full suit? just warmth? for less than a pair of running shoes i can get a brand new suit! hard not to pull the trigger on this one.
what is the biggest drawback for sleeveless vs full suit?
Buoyancy. You will be faster with the full suit. Period. I got the sleeveless, and now I wish I’d have spent the extra $75 to get the full suit. My recommendation is obvious.
for reference the other article is at
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2669802
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Don’t know if you were aware of the sale going on right now…may impact your decision:
http://xterrawetsuits.com/promo/?utm_source=jan19blast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=blowoutsale
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I have the Vortex 3 sleeveless and love it. Personally, I felt that my arms were restricted in the fullsuit. The sleeveless just offered a better range of motion and less fatigue in the arms. It’s a great suit for $99.
I have the Vortex 3 sleeveless and love it. Personally, I felt that my arms were restricted in the fullsuit. The sleeveless just offered a better range of motion and less fatigue in the arms. It’s a great suit for $99.
That’s a common refrain among some people and just as many other people say it’s not a problem…so I wonder if this isn’t related to a fit problem?
I can relate my experience. Last year I used a wetsuit and in the first 2 races I felt an unusual burn in my arms that I don’t normally have swimming. I concluded that my sleeves were too tight. No big deal, I was still faster. Later in the season I learned that you are supposed to let water in. Once I got in I added water in through my neck and also through my sleeves at the wrist. It made a world of difference! The suit felt completely different and not a hint of restriction!
YMMV.
I own both. The Vortex is a great suit for the $$$ on sale which is why I have one. But the Vector feels like I am not wearing a suit at all - so flexy in the shoulders. I owned a Vector for a while and now have a Vector Pro2. They both rock.
I bought a Vector Pro 2 last year as my first wetsuit. Since Xterra sponsors my tri club I figured I’d throw them my business. I cuold not be happier. I’ve never even tried on another wetsuit but the Vector feels like a skin, albeit bouyant, skin. Plenty of flexibility in the shoulders.
Again, this is the one and only suit I’ve tried, but I would buy another tomorrow if I needed another suit.
The compression in the fullsuit for chest/arms can be a real issue if you’ve got wide shoulder and or big lats. I had recurrent problems in 3 different wetsuits of different sizes, none of which were solved until I went to a sleeveless Vortex3. The sleeved Vortex3 did not work for me as well. Your arms will feel like they wear out WAY too quickly in a tight suit. If you have that, you need to size up or go sleeveless.
BTW - sleeveless suits are MUCH easier to remove as well! Faster t1!!
thanks for the replies. i appreciate the help.
What wetsuit did you end up going with??
I am in the same boat right now and with 50% off through Sunday I am trying to decide between these 2 as well…
I bought the Vortex 3 sleeveless two weeks ago. My friend bought the full.
His comments on the full: When asked if it felt restricted to wear a full suit, he said it was like he wasn’t even wearing it. A good suit with decent rubber that FITS should have no shoulder impedance.
My comments on the sleeveless: Mine fits great, no water seeps in the arm holes, which is a common problem. I went with the sleeveless because for me swimming is about enjoying the workout, not hauling ass. I love feeling the water, and a full wetsuit takes away too much for me.
Plus, I only use the wetsuit to train in water sub 60 degrees. I get plenty warm quick enough and can’t race in a wetsuit.
The rubber quality on the vortex suits seems great. When its off it doesn’t feel flexible and just looks cumbersome. On, it stretches thin and feel great. I am 6 foot 165 lbs and went with the Small-Long, FWIW.
I experienced this too when I tried the suit on in my home. I immediately felt claustrophobic and tight in the chest. I think this is magnified by the warmth aspect.
Outside and in the water, I don’t notice it.
The compression in the fullsuit for chest/arms can be a real issue if you’ve got wide shoulder and or big lats. I had recurrent problems in 3 different wetsuits of different sizes, none of which were solved until I went to a sleeveless Vortex3. The sleeved Vortex3 did not work for me as well. Your arms will feel like they wear out WAY too quickly in a tight suit. If you have that, you need to size up or go sleeveless.
BTW - sleeveless suits are MUCH easier to remove as well! Faster t1!!
If a full sleeved suit causes slower T1 times I think you might be doing something wrong. I have my suit unzipped with sleeves off and the suit around my waiste prior to exiting the water in most cases.
I have both a sleeve and sleeveless.
The only exception to that was IMWI in which case there was no beach to run up…but they had wetsuit strippers. In all other cases I have to run to my bike…so there is no delay in T1.
I have the Vector X2 and love it. I have a womens medium for sale brand new for $140 plus shipping. Not sure of your size. Bought as a gift for my sister but she decided not to do triathlons anymore, not my size.
I haven’t tried the ProX2, but I did buy the Vortex3 sleeveless for $99 on sale. I actually also bought the sleeved version, but I have wide lats and short legs so it was too constricting for me and I returned it.
The Vortex3 sleeveless is an excellent suit, though. I was afraid it would be of inferior quality, and either leak or break down quickly, but I’ve been using it regularly and it still fits great and feels great.
The only minor caveat is that the soft material does tend to develop tiny tears from your fingers here and there. I’m pretty careful with my suit, but I’ve got a few tiny tears here and there.