The first time you put on a wetsuit...

Probably 10-12 minutes.

but with practice, I've gotten it down to 8:45.

Well, to be honest, I didn't get it on correctly. So it was relatively quick. Then I suffered in the swim big time. I was one of those people who said, "Full suits are harder to swim in- they restrict my stroke."

One day I said that to the guy who invented the triathlon wetsuit, Dan Empfield, and he was kind enough to set me straight.

After that, I took the requisite 10 minutes to get the think on right.

First time?  Maybe 10 minutes.  But I didn't swim in it that time, I just admired the the 'superhero' look in the mirror.

The first time I swam in it, it also took me about 10 minutes AND I put a hole in it AND I didn't have it on all the way and it choked me the whole swim.  Live and learn.  Now I'm more careful and it still takes 10 minutes!

For the few times I have put one on,  I have been so worried about putting my figures through it that I literally use my palms to pull it up my legs.  So using that method it takes me about 15 - 20 minutes. Good thing that part is not timed in the Tri,  I was like the first one to put it on before my first race.  I think people could it was my first race since I was wearing a wetsuit 45 minutes before the meeting to go over the race.

There are a number of videos on youtube that will show you how to do it.  You don't exactly just 'put it on', it's more of an installation process. Then- after I do everything, I get into the water, fill it with water via the neck, wiggle around a lot to get it to feel right, then get out of the water to drain it- then it's ready to go.  YMMV.

i am a surfer, and have used surf suits for some mild free diving. how does putting on a tri suit differ from a surf suit?

when i put on a surf suit i typically have a couple plastic grocery bags handy place one over each foot and slide right into each leg, then pull the bags out, pull up the suit and proceed to do the same thing with my hands, 5 minutes to put on a wetsuit is on the long side, and that is doing a towel change with nothing underneath. having tri shorts on would cut down time a bit i would ASSUME.

Me too, in the fitness center at work 'cause I had shipped to my office.

The first time,  if it goes on fast, you're doing it wrong. see here:

1. This is wrong.

2. this is REALLY wrong

Use Plastic Shopping bags to get it on faster. Put the bags over your feet and the wetsuit will slide much better over the polyehelyne than over your skin. Save the bag so you can throw your wey clothes into it after the race.

Great tip!  I'll have to try that.

I do the same thing (well, except I wear a swimsuit or a trisuit).  It's much faster with the grocery bags.

OK, I'm coming clean: it took me 40 minutes. This was a few days ago, and I'm going to try to do better tonight. I had watched the Tom D. video and the XTerra one beforehand, so I did have an idea what to do. I was determined not to cause any fingernail tears, so I proceeded slowly and carefully. I had a difficult time with the zipper, and would have saved 10 minutes if someone could've helped with that.

Felt good once it was on properly!

It also took a couple minutes to take off, mostly because of the wrists and ankles, so I'll have to work on that, too....

I heard its helpful to soak it in water before you put it on the first time each season.  You can still let it dry before actually putting it on as it will still retain some water even if it appears dry.  It is supposed to make it so its not as tight.  Although I havent tried it yet so I dont know if this actually helps or not.