New wetsuit - Sleeves or sleeveless?

Sleeveless.

 

Simply put, more flexibility and easier to get off in T1= faster.

I am a sleevless fan to. No real reason why... I just think it is more comfortable and a bit easier to get on and off.

Love my sleeveless.

I was a sleeveless fan for mobility and ease of removal reasons until the water on race day was 55 degrees. My arms turned tostone pretty quick and the swim just su_ked. Sleeves for me from now on unless I can guarantee warm water. The buoyancy of a suit was a major bonus though, because even when my arms froze I knew I wouldn't sink.

I have both. Bought a sleeveless first. Thought that a full suit would restrict my arm movement and be difficult to get off since I have large shoulders and arms It did OK, but when I decided to do some TRI's that had very cold water (58 -60 degF) swims I wanted to get a one with sleeves. Found the Desoto wet suits with separate tops and bottoms fit the best and the design eliminated my worries about restricting my arm movement. They are also easy to take off. I like the idea of getting different size for the top and bottom. I got the largeest top and smaller bottom. It fits my body shape much better.

I looking to sell my sleeveless QR, I like the Desoto one so well. I use it all the time now.

Ive got a sleeveless. Love it!

 

Edited by Pegasus1731 2008-09-26 9:39 AM

I have heard that sleevless has more drag because the water comes in from the top of your arms (this is from a pro) so I vote for sleeves..

Everything I ever have read was to go with sleeves - if a race if wetsuit legal the water is cool enough to need sleeves anyway and you will be much faster.

If i can find the top article I found about it I will put it in - I made this decision about 10 months ago.

Bottom Line - If you are going to where any wetsuit - Full Sleve is the way to go! Look at what the pros wear.

Edited by Wolff27 2008-10-10 1:44 AM

My first suit was sleeveless, Xterra brand. Got that thinking I wouldn't like the arm movement restriction of a full. Then I gained a few pounds and it didn't fit me so I bought the same brand,next size up, full sleeve. I float much better in the one with sleeves. There has only been one race where I wished the sleeveless one still fit me (I got a little warm). I think they just measured the water in a cold spot or something. Most my races are done pretty close to 78 degrees.

I had an Xterra Sleevelessf for my first two seasons. Water would seep in, but that was OK. Purchased a full 2XU Comp, that I love. Slippery fast. Ultimately, I wished I would have put the sleeveless wetsuit money towards a better full suit right away. I have a swimming background and I'm lovin' the full sleeve, even in warm water.

I believe Macca won Kona in a sleeveless wetsuite last year.

Personally, I am looking to buy a wetsuite this off season, and I will be looking at full sleeves.