Wetsuits: complicated, or not?

[Snytjie]

Hi,

 

I'm trying to buy my first wetsuit after starting training for triathlon 6 months ago. Trouble is, it's not so easy as one would've expected (well, in Cape Town at least). I was hoping that a post might bring in some experiences and suggestions, and I would be very thankful as would others be no doubt who are in the same situation.

 

First problem is that I cannot find a store where I can fit different suits. Cycle Lab only stocks 2XU, and they have only the T3 in my size. Sportsmans Whorehouse has only a medium men's Orca S3, which is no good. Triangle Sports closed down the CT branch, or at least the shop claiming to be the Triangle branch in CT. That's what I could find up to now. This leaves me in a pickle, as I do not really want to buy the first thing I tried on nor something which I haven't tried on at all.

 

As a novice, it leaves me with the following problems:

 

1. The T3 felt good and fitted well. I cannot however compare it with any others. How would it rate against its competitors, eg the Orca S3 or the Xterra (can't remember the model now)? Do you guys have any opinion as to which suit is best, or is it a matter of preferance/fit only?

2. What is really the difference between an entry-level suit like the T3, and the mid to top level ones? I for one cannot decipher all the tech/marketting talk in the descriptions, and am thoroughly sceptical of such things anyway. The Cycle Lab employee thinks that the difference between a T3 and the next level suit would translate to "20-40 seconds in swim time on 1000m". Is that it? Or is there also a consideration about effort expended, just as the impact of swimming in cold water with or without a suit and the effect it has on the biking and running to follow?

3. Would I as a beginner even notice? I do not wish to make worse the limitations I already have as a unexperienced and improving triathlete by trying to save R1300 on a suit. Penny wise, pound foolish... However, I do not want to spend R1300 more on a suit when the total gain would be barely noticable?

 

I would greatly appreciate your views!

[JGR]

Speak to Jeff at Triangle Sports based in PE but have massive range. Also check out the bluseventy suites

[Red Zone]

Try Terry at Xterra suits, they have a decent website as well, just google it. If you are in CT trevor will fit you out as well. My advise, you got to swim in a suit before you buy.

 

There is no "best" suit most NB is fit, its got to be good, no bunching, not too tight so be careful.

 

The gain from a suit is massive, extra buoyancy, safety and speed. You want to do tri, you need a suit.

[mon-goose]

Also give the guys at orca a call. I bought mine from them in somerset west and they were also very helpful. Check with them if they have different sizes available before you go through. Go for the best one within the budget you're willing to spend

Orca South Africa

 

http://www.orcasouthafrica.co.za/images/M_images/con_address.png http://www.orcasouthafrica.co.za/images/M_images/emailButton.png orca@226.co.za This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need Javascript enabled to view it. http://www.orcasouthafrica.co.za/images/M_images/con_tel.png +27 (0)21 853 0000 http://www.orcasouthafrica.co.za/images/M_images/con_fax.png +27 (0)21 853 0001 http://www.orcasouthafrica.co.za/images/M_images/con_mobile.png +27 (0)82 600 5205 http://www.orcasouthafrica.co.za

[KevG]

Agree with Red Zone - Terry is very accomodating. I bought a Vector3 from himlast year, he sent to me in JHB based on my height etc, and it fitted great.

He will even get it changed no problem to make sure it fits well.

I havent tried many suits, all I can say is that Xterra is fantastic, very happy with my suit - got extra shoulder room I find so not as much chaffing

Terry - 0794824658 or terry@xterrawetsuits.co.za

[KevG]

PS as for different levels: I think they all really the same in the end, I'm no great swimmer, so makes little difference

If you think it makes you go faster, it probably will.

Otherwise, get a cool colour

[Thug]

Coral Wetsuits in CT is a custom wetsuit manufacturer and they are extremely good value for money. http://www.coralwetsuits.co.za/home.html

 

If you are looking for one off the shelf, then as mentioned, contact Terry at Xterra Wetsuits.

[Wheelsuck]

Terry at Xterra is a great help and the wetsuits are worth it, just adhere to the measurements and if ur unsure size up not down, but u should be able to move comfortably on the ground and in the water the wetsuit should seal between body, water and suit. If water sloshes around inside then its to big.

 

That's why Terry is great-he got my sizing spot on-email him and chat to him.

 

Also heard good things about Orca and got to know the guy who imports the brand on the run during IMSA, ran about the whole marathon with him so had enough time to ask him lots of questions.

[Fatboy85]

Go Terry at Xterra. You wont regret it.

[Wheelsuck]

Now reading your questions I realise didnt answer ur questions.

 

So basically wetsuits are rubber with aerated cells. Some have more cells than other in the legs, making them lighter (Like Xterra Vendetta) for triathletes who dont like kicking.

But they also need stretch that is where the Yamamoto rubber comes in so it has to be more stretchy at the arms and torso and more neutral in the lower body.

So will a better suit make u faster-maybe but it depends on the flexibility in the chest and arms with liteness in the legs so u ride higher in the water and less resistance, but would I pay a lot for like TYR Freak of Nature vs Xterra Vendetta the answer is No, it will not make a hell of a difference.

 

So when u think of that then I would not pay much more but I would invest in a good brand that is value for money and that is where Xterra, Coral and Orca come in. But if I had to choose then for sure Xterra

[Snytjie]

Thank guys! Great response in such a short time!

 

My questions are answered, and thank you all for the advice. I'll contact both Terry at Xterra and the Orca distributors, and see if I can arrange a fit at least. That would then give me an informed choice between three leading brands.

 

@Wheelsuck: "Now reading your questions I realise didnt answer ur questions." Lol! Thanks for the after-thought which answered my question on whether it is worth to pay the premium. Also, there is a lot of motivation there for me: I'd love to one day race the IM and have the endurance and presence of mind to interrogate my fellow participants during the run!

 

I'll report on my choice in the end, and I'm sure lots of newbees like myself will get much help from this thread...

[ADe]

Agree with Red Zone - Terry is very accomodating. I bought a Vector3 from himlast year, he sent to me in JHB based on my height etc, and it fitted great.

He will even get it changed no problem to make sure it fits well.

I havent tried many suits, all I can say is that Xterra is fantastic, very happy with my suit - got extra shoulder room I find so not as much chaffing

Terry - 0794824658 or terry@xterrawetsuits.co.za

I can also vouch for Terry from Xterra, great service and good value for money wetsuit as well.

[Snytjie]

Hi,

 

Met up with Terry from Xterra yesterday to test a suit, and decided to not even look any further. It fitted at least as well as the 2XU, but have thicker front panels. I swam 1200m with it, and although I had to change the height and grap of my stroke somewhat, I really didn't feel any more tired than usual. I also swam about 10% quicker.

 

And I have to say that the guys above really understated his service levels. I'm not sure about other makes like Orca for example, but the offering by Terry really is exceptional.

 

Firstly, he is very willing to come to you if it will suit you. I live in Noordhoek, and he offered to come to the Silvermine reservoir today for a fitting. I've always wanted to swim it and it would've been a great bonus. Unfortunately the weather did not play along, so we decided to do it yesterday at the Seapoint pool.

 

Secondly, the availability of a range of demo suits at 70% of the new price is a great one for someone who is just starting out. You take the demo, and if you want to get a new one at any time you pay the difference (R600). You can thus test the suit for a prolonged time.

 

Thirdly, and for me the great advantage, is Xterra's focus on trade-ins and the availability of demo/traded-in suits. This means that if I want to upgrade to a higher level suit in a year or two, they would very happily take my used one as trade-in. Terry reckons that if the suit is in good condition, you'd probably get 80% of the original price as trade-in amount. So, to upgrade to the Pro suit would only cost R1400 if I bought a new Vortex. And suit rental at R350 per week is also a great option if you only occasionally need one.

 

I can really recommend Xterra and Terry to anyone who is interested in wetsuits.

[Edge_Design]

Hi,

 

Met up with Terry from Xterra yesterday to test a suit, and decided to not even look any further. It fitted at least as well as the 2XU, but have thicker front panels. I swam 1200m with it, and although I had to change the height and grap of my stroke somewhat, I really didn't feel any more tired than usual. I also swam about 10% quicker.

 

And I have to say that the guys above really understated his service levels. I'm not sure about other makes like Orca for example, but the offering by Terry really is exceptional.

 

Firstly, he is very willing to come to you if it will suit you. I live in Noordhoek, and he offered to come to the Silvermine reservoir today for a fitting. I've always wanted to swim it and it would've been a great bonus. Unfortunately the weather did not play along, so we decided to do it yesterday at the Seapoint pool.

 

Secondly, the availability of a range of demo suits at 70% of the new price is a great one for someone who is just starting out. You take the demo, and if you want to get a new one at any time you pay the difference (R600). You can thus test the suit for a prolonged time.

 

Thirdly, and for me the great advantage, is Xterra's focus on trade-ins and the availability of demo/traded-in suits. This means that if I want to upgrade to a higher level suit in a year or two, they would very happily take my used one as trade-in. Terry reckons that if the suit is in good condition, you'd probably get 80% of the original price as trade-in amount. So, to upgrade to the Pro suit would only cost R1400 if I bought a new Vortex. And suit rental at R350 per week is also a great option if you only occasionally need one.

 

I can really recommend Xterra and Terry to anyone who is interested in wetsuits.

 

That sounds like incredible service! Also really struggled to find wetsuits in CT when I was looking late last year - I ended up getting a Aqua Sphere from CRC on clearance at around R900 landed cost (local retail was R2,8k if I remember correctly). One day when I'm ready to upgrade, sounds like Terry will be the way to go...

[hboli4]

Yup, Terry sorted me out here in Bloem, have not had much experience with other suits but I am very happy with my Xterra suit and you can't beat them for service :thumbup:

[sluiper]

Another vote for Terry.

Just paid him for my suit and can't wait to try it out at the Robben Island event.

Did a test swim at the Pavilion in Sea Point and was really happy with the advice and time Terry spent with me.