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Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade
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 2015-07-21 11:44 AM |
Master  2759     Los Angeles, CA |  Subject: Advice needed for wetsuit upgradeHello BTers, I feel I am ready to upgrade from my Xterra Wetsuit Vortex 4 size S. For the past couple years I've been struggling with OWS segments of racing while in this wetsuit when I start amping up my pace. Each and every time, even during some practice sessions, I feel this uncomfortable pressure in my chest building which leads me to hyperventilate. Many times I've managed it well enough when I lower my stroke rate and effort to aerobic which bugs the hell outta me because I want to improve my swim splits while racing. My CSS is currently around 1:44-1:45/100 when I swim intervals of 400 - 800 yards at the pool and based on my GarminConnect analysis, my stroke rate is pretty even throughout each interval. I'm breathing hard but able to hold my effort until each interval is done. However, when I race, I swim slower in open water due to breathing problems with the Xterra. I am 5'6.5" and I weighed 142-144lbs when I started racing in 2011 and now weigh around 148-149. The sizing chart on the Xterra website still recommends I use size S but I think since I have a long torso and a bit more weight , I i think I should move up to a size M or consider another brand. Do you guys have any recommendations? My budget range for this upgrade is $200-300. Thanks! Roland =^.^= |
| 2015-07-21 3:30 PM in reply to: kloofyroland |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade From the Xterra chart it looks like you're on the borderline between S and M. If you follow their recommendations and add 2" for a long torso that would put you into a M. I followed their sizing charts when I bought my suit last fall and it fits me well. Mark |
| 2015-07-22 12:49 AM in reply to: kloofyroland |
Extreme Veteran 1332 | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade I'd talk to Xterra, they are pretty good at letting you know whether you'd best fit in another size, plus, if all else fails you can ship it back and do a free exchange ( you just need to pay to ship it TO them ) I was really unsure of what size I was, being between sizes, but having a wider chest. They recommended a size and it worked really well. Even now that I lost a little weight, it's fitting me great, and I have zero regrets. I got the Vector Pro. |
| 2015-08-20 1:40 PM in reply to: dfquigley |
Master 2759 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Wetsuit upgrade status update. I bit the bullet and purchased and tried a Maverick Pro fullsuit and boy what a difference it made! I did 3 OWS tests with it the past 3 weekends each with increasing distances (~0.5mi, ~1.25mi, ~2.22mi) and I set PRs for all of those swims. I did not feel fatigued like I did using the Xterra after 20 minutes or any shoulder restriction and I swam the last 2 test swims at CSS. I also did not feel any chest pressure forcing me to slow down when I amped up my efforts to CSS after warming up. That issue may have been caused by too small a wetsuit though since based on their chart, I was in between a size small and medium. Anyway, I'm super happy with my new wetsuit and I will keep it!  =^.^= Roland |
| 2015-08-22 5:48 PM in reply to: kloofyroland |
| 538 Brooklyn, New York | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Originally posted by kloofyroland Wetsuit upgrade status update. I bit the bullet and purchased and tried a Maverick Pro fullsuit and boy what a difference it made! I did 3 OWS tests with it the past 3 weekends each with increasing distances (~0.5mi, ~1.25mi, ~2.22mi) and I set PRs for all of those swims. I did not feel fatigued like I did using the Xterra after 20 minutes or any shoulder restriction and I swam the last 2 test swims at CSS. I also did not feel any chest pressure forcing me to slow down when I amped up my efforts to CSS after warming up. That issue may have been caused by too small a wetsuit though since based on their chart, I was in between a size small and medium. Anyway, I'm super happy with my new wetsuit and I will keep it! =^.^= Roland Congrats, I sucked it up for a year in Tyr Cat 1 that was too small and restrictive, isn't it down right liberating to get into one that's right for you!? You feel like you can love to swim again |
| 2015-08-22 10:59 PM in reply to: TJHammer |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Hmmm...I think I need to get a new suit as well. My TYR Category 1 is starting to self-destruct and it's always felt like I'm swimming in a straitjacket. I've done decent times in it but I detest swimming in it and tend to wear my sleevless shortie one whenever possible. Just haven't bit the bullet as I rarely need the full suit for a race, and definitely not here in SE Asia. |
| 2015-08-23 11:29 AM in reply to: kloofyroland |
| 163 | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade I hope your new suit works out well for you...FYI to anyone else interested, Roka has a sale until August 26th for 25% off. Code is summer25. I've been in a Vector Pro and am going to give the Maverick Comp a try for the same reason as the OP |
| 2015-08-23 3:54 PM in reply to: TJHammer |
Master 2759 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Originally posted by TJHammer Congrats, I sucked it up for a year in Tyr Cat 1 that was too small and restrictive, isn't it down right liberating to get into one that's right for you!? You feel like you can love to swim again Thanks! I'm starting to love open water swimming again! |
| 2015-08-23 3:56 PM in reply to: Hot Runner |
Master 2759 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Originally posted by Hot Runner My TYR Category 1 is starting to self-destruct and it's always felt like I'm swimming in a straitjacket. I've done decent times in it but I detest swimming in it and tend to wear my sleevless shortie one whenever possible. I think you should order one just to get a feel for it. You have 30 days and will only have to pay shipping to return it if you find it's not for you. You might love it like I do, hehehe. |
| 2015-08-23 3:58 PM in reply to: Rdracer99 |
Master 2759 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Originally posted by Rdracer99 I hope your new suit works out well for you...FYI to anyone else interested, Roka has a sale until August 26th for 25% off. Code is summer25. I've been in a Vector Pro and am going to give the Maverick Comp a try for the same reason as the OP So far it has been and I'm super impressed with it. You won't be disappointed with the Roka Maverick you're thinking of getting. If you have any questions about the one I have, please don't hesitate to ask. |
| 2015-08-24 7:01 AM in reply to: kloofyroland |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Clearly this is better done from the US than Vietnam, and probably in the summer when I can try it out in a lake! Will have to wait for next summer. Sizing is always an issue for me as I just don't seem to have the body that they have in mind when designing tri stuff--always between sizes. Kind of medium tall and skinny with fairly long arms and legs for my height. Almost wonder if a small men's wetsuit would fit better. Is there anything magic about wetsuit gender that's not occurring to me, or is it kind of like bikes.....use what fits? |
| 2015-08-24 12:48 PM in reply to: Hot Runner |
Master 2759 Los Angeles, CA | Subject: RE: Advice needed for wetsuit upgrade Yeah, I understand what you're saying. I'd give them a call at least next summer and see what they think will work for you. Haha, a mens suit might feel funny because the shoulders might be too broad but then again, that might be a good thing for shoulder mobility? It could be a case of "use what fits"? Would you like to try my Xterra Vortex 4 fullsuit size S?  |
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