One piece or two piece?

A lot of what you're asking boils down to personal preference, so I'll give you mine (and the reasons).

Farmer John style (sleeveless) wetsuit (QR)  I think it's the best all around suit to have.  The long-sleeved feel a bit constrictive to me (and also cost a bit more).  Unless you are swimming in water well below 60 degrees then you'd be fine in a sleeveless.

One piece tri-suit.  It doesn't offer as much flexibility in the sizes and can be a bit frustrating for those who are "long-torsoed", but even if I did have the stomach I had in college I still don't like the idea of looking like I'm wearing a sports bra (or bro if you prefer) by the end of the race.  They're also a bit of a pain in the @55 when it comes to using the facilities.

bts

Wear the jersey in the water if you care at all about tranisition time. Putting a tight shirt on over a wet body while racing is pretty much the definition of inefficient.

Try it first and see how it feels. Tri tops are made to swim in so you won't be hindered with one.

I prefer the 2 piece try suit. I have never worn a one pice. My reasons are I don't think I would be as comfortable in a one pice, I put my race belt with number attached on and under my top before the swim, restroom is easier in the two pice. Did I say I don't think I would like the constricted feeling of a one pice. In the two pice when I get to T2 I can at my leisure on the run pull my number belt down and turn it around. If I get too hot on the run I can pull off the tri top. I don't care what others think of my fat gut sticking out, my girlfriend think I look good and that's all that matters to me.

I use a promotion full wet suit. I got this for the Escape from Alcatraz tri last year. if your not doing a swim that cold a farmer john style would be fine, the full gives you more optinons with minor drawbacks. I like the promtion for a few reasons, customer service, the wide range of sizes, they will ship two and let you return one if you are close to two sizes. They look real cool and make great super hero costumes.

I am attaching what I use as a checklist if it helps great if not oh well..

Good luck and enjoy your first tri!!

Jim

I just looked at their website and I have the powerglide. I don't think that there is a great deal of difference in the suits. When I bought mine the Afterburner wasn't available. They said the powerglide would be just a bit faster for someone who was an expert swimmer. I bought it anyway because it was nice and shinny and I thougnht it looked Kewl!

Looking at the size and color availability, I am guessing that they may be doing away with some of the models.

They have afterburners on jets and they go really fast, so I would guess that is the fastest one...

Give them a call you won't regret it, they are very helpful!!!!

Good Luck,

Jim

TH3_FRB - 2006-01-10 7:25 PM I think someone just suggested a wet T-shirt contest.  I'd be happy to provide my services as head judge

Head who said head...

I have the Team Javelin one piece tri-suit and like it a lot.  I usually take a medium in clothing sizes but the size Large tri-suit I got is a good snug fit.  I'm pretty scrawny at 5'11" and 145, so I don't know how a real he-man would fit in one of those suits.

Going to the bathroom is only a minor inconvenience -- it's only a moment to just unzip the front, and slide the shoulder straps off.  It goes back on easy.  Of course you're upper torso is exposed, but that shouldn't be a big deal for the guys.  I wear mine under the wet suit.