login
What should I feel like in a wetsuit??
-
No new posts
 2009-08-17 10:21 AM |
Veteran 229   New York |  Subject: What should I feel like in a wetsuit??I'm a BIG clydesdale (6'2" 320#), which makes picking out a wetsuit that much more work. Triathlon specific wetsuits for people my size just flat out don't exist. I just moved to Boston, MA where many races have ocean swims, or cold pond swims in september with wetsuit requirements to race. I'm currently auditioning a couple of suits for wetsuitrentals.com. They're Akona suits. The first follows the traditional 5mm/3mm thicknesses of a triathlon suit, the other is a 3mm suit all around. So my questions: - In the 5/3, I almost can't swim it is SO bouyant! I feel like this is the ideal suit for floating down a river without a raft, because even in rapids, theres no chance of drowning. In fact, it was difficult for me to do the breaststroke, because I felt like I was fighting my suit. When I was trying to submerge to move forward, it was trying to pop me up. Is this what you guys feel like in your suits? - How much bouyancy do I really want? Ideally, I feel like what I want is something that allows me to participate, maybe makes me float a little bit more than I would, but mostly doesn't get in my way and provides a little extra warmth for the swim. Is this what I should be looking for, or is it a personal preference? - Very few manufacturers make suits that will fit me. Some places (wetsuit wearhouse) will custom make, at a price about that of other suits. Are there particular material types/stretch areas I should be most concerned about? - I felt really tired wearing the less bouyant suit. I admit to skipping breakfast that morning, but I don't feel like that was the true issue with the suit. I'm wondering Can a less bouyant suit actually be a drag on a swim, even if it still provides some more bouyancy than I normally am? I think this is most of my list of questions for now. Thanks in advance for any help. |
| 2009-08-17 10:23 AM in reply to: #2352985 |
Champion 11989   Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? |
| 2009-08-17 10:34 AM in reply to: #2352989 |
| Veteran 229 New York | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? mrbbrad - 2009-08-17 11:23 AM You should feel like a Super hero!!!! (I know I do) LOL. I totally get that part. In fact, i wish they came with capes to wear when you werent in the water. That said, I really could use some help. I basically never know what things should feel like, and this is to the uptmost degree of it. |
| 2009-08-17 10:58 AM in reply to: #2352985 |
Pro 4343 Olney, MD | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Tri-specific wetsuits are designed for buoyancy, especially for your legs, and the extra thickness in the legs would also make it harder to bend your legs. I'm not at all surprised that you you had trouble trying to breast stroke in one. If you are planning on doing mostly breast stroke I would go for the thinnest suit you can find. ETA: I just did a Google search for "Akona Wetsuit" and it looks like their suits are designed for diving and not triathlon. If that's the case, I recommend continuing your search for a triathlon wetsuit in your size. Edited by MDHillSlug 2009-08-17 11:04 AM |
| 2009-08-17 11:40 AM in reply to: #2352985 |
Master 1848 Canandaigua | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Crowded. |
| 2009-08-17 11:47 AM in reply to: #2353122 |
| Veteran 229 New York | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? ETA: I just did a Google search for "Akona Wetsuit" and it looks like their suits are designed for diving and not triathlon. If that's the case, I recommend continuing your search for a triathlon wetsuit in your size. Let me ask this - When you say theyre designed for diving as opposed to triathlon, what does that really mean?? If it's made of like materials, with the same levels of thickness (traditional tri wetsuits are a 3mm/5mm mixed density) how is it unlike a tri wetsuit? |
| 2009-08-17 11:57 AM in reply to: #2353283 |
Pro 4343 Olney, MD | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? techknowgn - 2009-08-17 12:47 PM ETA: I just did a Google search for "Akona Wetsuit" and it looks like their suits are designed for diving and not triathlon. If that's the case, I recommend continuing your search for a triathlon wetsuit in your size. Let me ask this - When you say theyre designed for diving as opposed to triathlon, what does that really mean?? If it's made of like materials, with the same levels of thickness (traditional tri wetsuits are a 3mm/5mm mixed density) how is it unlike a tri wetsuit? Not all neoprene is alike. I'm not an expert in wetsuit construction but it's my understanding that dive suits are primarily designed for warmth whereas tri wetsuits use neoprene that aids in buoyancy and are designed for improved shoulder range of motion. Edited by MDHillSlug 2009-08-17 11:58 AM |
| 2009-08-17 12:04 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
Member 108 San Diego | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? A tuna that was doused in sweat then shrink wrapped!!! |
| 2009-08-17 12:09 PM in reply to: #2353321 |
| Veteran 229 New York | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Not all neoprene is alike. I'm not an expert in wetsuit construction but it's my understanding that dive suits are primarily designed for warmth whereas tri wetsuits use neoprene that aids in buoyancy and are designed for improved shoulder range of motion. See, this is where I think marketing has had an impact. The 3/5 wetsuit has the same stated thicknesses, and is so bouyant that I felt like i could have floated down the Mississippi in it. It has a pretty solid range of motion (though Im going to test it again in Walden Pond this weekend), though maybe not as flexible as their 3mm Quantum Stretch model. Neither suit was overly hot, and I though i felt insulated from the ocean temps in the 3/5 for the most part, i definitely got some feel for the coolness of the early morning pond water in the 3mm QS. I really appreciate all this discussion, I am learning a ton, and laughing at the funny responses as well! |
| 2009-08-17 12:30 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
Extreme Veteran 837 Wellesley, Massachusetts | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Welcome to Boston! I am just leaving for Portsmouth, NH, but I hope you'll love the city. As for the wetsuit, there aren't a ton of tri-specific shops in the area, but in Portland, ME there is a great place called Peak Performance. They can fit you and help you to understand that you're supposed to feel like you are vacuum sealed into it. You can take a train up with your bike on it if you don't have a car. It's been well worth the trips I have made as they also host free classes about what to expect during a tri or OWS classes. As well, they give lots of FREE advice which is really helpful. There's also a place in W. Newton called Fast Splits. I know they are a huge multisport store, but I have never been. They might offer some helpful advice as well. As for the fit, it's tight, you have to adjust your breathing and become accustomed to that feeling. As well, your shoulders will feel fatigued becuase there is now resistance where there wasn't. You want the neoprene in the shoulders to be thinner than anywhere else. Good luck finding a suit!! |
| 2009-08-17 12:31 PM in reply to: #2353357 |
Pro 4343 Olney, MD | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? techknowgn - 2009-08-17 1:09 PM Not all neoprene is alike. I'm not an expert in wetsuit construction but it's my understanding that dive suits are primarily designed for warmth whereas tri wetsuits use neoprene that aids in buoyancy and are designed for improved shoulder range of motion. See, this is where I think marketing has had an impact. The 3/5 wetsuit has the same stated thicknesses, and is so bouyant that I felt like i could have floated down the Mississippi in it. It has a pretty solid range of motion (though Im going to test it again in Walden Pond this weekend), though maybe not as flexible as their 3mm Quantum Stretch model. Neither suit was overly hot, and I though i felt insulated from the ocean temps in the 3/5 for the most part, i definitely got some feel for the coolness of the early morning pond water in the 3mm QS. I really appreciate all this discussion, I am learning a ton, and laughing at the funny responses as well! Well, maybe they do make tri wetsuits. |
| 2009-08-17 12:39 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
Master 2638 | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? I don't know what you "should" feel like, but I feel very squished in my wetsuit. It is so buoyant that I can float vertically in the water with my head and face above the water. When swimming, my legs float so much that I can actually kick the surface of the water. Breathing is not difficult, but it does feel restricted. What you are looking for is a suit that will allow you to swim as normally as possible so that you don't fatigue your shoulders/arms. For this reason (and because I live in Georgia, where it's not very cold), I have a sleeveless suit. The lack of sleeves allows me more shoulder movement. That is why the other poster mentioned that a dive suit might not allow you as much movement as a tri-specific one would. Also, dive suits are not always as "form-fitting" as tri suits are so they create more drag. Edited by Mrs. brown_dog_us 2009-08-17 12:40 PM |
| 2009-08-17 1:19 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
Veteran 125 West Hartford, CT | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Like a seal. |
| 2009-08-17 1:30 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
Extreme Veteran 1996 Halifax, Nova Scotia | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? I find a noticeable difference between swimming in salt water and fresh water. If its very buoyant in fresh water I would look for one with thinner fabric, at least in the legs. Its hard to swim when you're bobbing like a beachball. I'd say keep on testing until you find the one that feels best. |
| 2009-08-17 2:12 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
| Regular 100 Denver | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? For whatever reason, I always feel like peeing as soon as I put one on. lol. Serious answer, though, I know the first time I swam in my tri wetsuit, I felt like I could freaking fly through the water. The bouancy really helps keep you horizontal, which if you're a crappy swimmer like I am, can make a big difference. I'm a clydesdale too, although ever shrinking (yay!) so I'm 6'5" and about 228 right now. The XTerra Vortex 3 XXL fits me and is probably getting close to being a little too big. If they have a XXXL, it would probably work for you. If not, they have a good try it and return it policy, so you could order an XXL and see if it fits. I also seem to remember there was a clyde about your size here on BT who took his wetsuit to a repair place where they added some panels to get it to fit right, it might be worth looking into. |
| 2009-08-17 2:20 PM in reply to: #2353422 |
| Veteran 229 New York | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? MDHillSlug - 2009-08-17 1:31 PM Well, maybe they do make tri wetsuits. It's hard to tell. i mean what really is a tri wetsuit? is it just the stretch of the neoprene? is it the bouyancy? There doesnt seem to be a concensus, other than it should make it easier to swim, keep you a little warmer if its a 3mm/5mm suit, and have some sort of coating to help with water passing over and around it. Is that really all there is? |
| 2009-08-17 3:03 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
| Veteran 585 Kenosha, WI | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? i'm a weird size too. short and super stocky... I rented a full suit and hated it... got Desoto speed suit pants and love them... went back and got a vest... I'll probably buy the long sleeve top too... I love having the parts sold seperately for sizing options and i can mix and match tops and bottoms depending on water temp. this weekend i was in a warm race and wents pants only to float the legs a little... perfect amount of bouyancy top have freedom... Breat stroke takes some getting used to in a suit... i think the moral of that story is you shouldn't be doing alot of breat stroke if you want better times... if you like to keep your head out of the water or are weak at the crawl try some side stroke, much more comfortable in a suit... Go two piece, you wont be sorry. (i'm pretty new to the sport though) |
| 2009-08-17 5:31 PM in reply to: #2353928 |
| Veteran 229 New York | Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Breat stroke takes some getting used to in a suit... i think the moral of that story is you shouldn't be doing alot of breat stroke if you want better times... if you like to keep your head out of the water or are weak at the crawl try some side stroke, much more comfortable in a suit... Go two piece, you wont be sorry. (i'm pretty new to the sport though) I talked to several different companies today. No one really seems to make something my size in a tri wetsuit. I've seen several different component suits that look great, but I dont think would do a whole heck of a lot for me. The suit I have from Akona right now seems like it will be one of the better ones, though I am going to look at some vests. For the swimming portion, it's all about breathing control. I can go forever in the breast stroke because my breathing is regular, even, and not terribly slow. I have long arms so Ive got a pretty good crawl for short distances, but then regulating the breathing becomes an issue because I havent figured out how to breath more often than every 3rd stroke, all on the right side. |
| 2009-08-17 5:43 PM in reply to: #2352985 |
| Subject: RE: What should I feel like in a wetsuit?? Well I am 6' 1" and jsut over 200, well like 215. I went with Desoto, I have the classic up north, pick up driving, beer drinking build. Which is changing to a normal shape. Anyways, the Desoto allows to mix sizes and gives you a little more room to move around in. You may even want to try a Speed Tube bottom and a sperate top. Joe |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK