General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Sleeves or not? Rss Feed  
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2010-01-21 12:53 PM

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Subject: Sleeves or not?
Hi,
I'm an FNG here and I am signed up for 2 Sprints in June-- the 5th and the 19th.  I am going do one in July as well .  I am interested in buying a wetsuit and was wondering if you would recommend sleeveless or sleeves for the June races?  Seems as though the water temps may be in the upper 60's.  I was leaning towards sleevless becasue of range of motion I guess but am afraid I may cramp up in water that cold.  Anyone have any experience with water that cold and how it affected your arms?
Any help is appreciated in advance.

Thanks

Edited by BriB 2010-01-21 12:57 PM


2010-01-21 12:57 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?

Upper 60's for water temp would definetly mean sleeves for me.  If you are considering Buffalo I would say full even more so.

2010-01-21 1:03 PM
in reply to: #2626787

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
Thanks diver I was thinking yes sleeves as well-- do you have a sleeveless and do you find the sleeves restict your range of motion in your arms at all?

No its not Buffalo its New Bri Tri (Long Lake) and Minnetonka and then was hoping to do Lifetime in July on Nokomis.
2010-01-21 1:22 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?

I have had both and never felt the sleeveless restricted my movement.  On the other hand I have become overheated due to having sleeves.  I will probably buy another sleeveless for those late season races and longer distance stuff.

2010-01-21 2:27 PM
in reply to: #2626863

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
Getting overheated with the sleeves is something I suppose I never considered.  I was trying to avoid getting both types this year but I guess I might as well.  I'm gonna want both eventually anyway.

Thanks

Edited by BriB 2010-01-21 2:27 PM
2010-01-21 2:53 PM
in reply to: #2627057

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
I only have sleeveless and have been happy so far. 


2010-01-21 3:39 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
I have a sleeveless suit and raced buffalo in it. No problems once I warmed up.
I didn't want to invest the money in the full sleeve suit when I bought mine. I think I was able to save about 150 to 200 bucks by getting sleeveless.
2010-01-21 3:58 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
I think is a matter or personal preference, when I do triathlons I prefer using a full body suit because I'd rather be warm than cold, sometimes I can fell the "heat" specially during half iron swims even tho my avg time is 24:30 for the 1.2 (so my time in the water is minimal) but I just dont mind being warm, so if you dont mind getting a little warm a full body is the way to go. What i would do is to buy an entry level suit that way you only drop $200 max for it (thats what I did) that way if you dont like it, it wont hurt that much.   

Something you need to know is that most of suits right now(full body) are design so on your forearms there is a "patented" (not sure if that is the right word)   that actually helps you with the pulling, it help you to catch more efficiently the water, thats why I like having the full body.

 
2010-01-21 9:58 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
I use a sleeveless and have done Pigman and Manitou (Where water temp has been in the 50s before) both with no issues.
2010-01-22 8:29 AM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
Thanks everyone for the input.  I guess i'll have to try it out and see which I prefer.
I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to the cold -- I know bad place to live if you don't like the cold.  I think I will go with the sleeves at first and just go in a jammer for the warmer water.
2010-01-22 8:55 AM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?

Just my two cents.  Jammers are pretty worthless.  If the water is warm enough to not need long legs and sleeves you probably don't need a jammer.  By not having the boyuncy of the legs you are really eliminating all benefits of a wetsuit.  If you have never swam in a wetsuit you will be amazed how well they help keep legs up.  If you are looking to save some money look at the Neosport sleeveless.  There is a place in Lakeville that sells them for about $100.  Really not a bad wetsuit actually.  I can't remember the web site but know somebody who could find it if you are interested.



2010-01-22 9:52 AM
in reply to: #2628518

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
mndiver - 2010-01-22 8:55 AM

Just my two cents.  Jammers are pretty worthless.  If the water is warm enough to not need long legs and sleeves you probably don't need a jammer.  By not having the boyuncy of the legs you are really eliminating all benefits of a wetsuit.  If you have never swam in a wetsuit you will be amazed how well they help keep legs up.  If you are looking to save some money look at the Neosport sleeveless.  There is a place in Lakeville that sells them for about $100.  Really not a bad wetsuit actually.  I can't remember the web site but know somebody who could find it if you are interested.


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2010-01-22 10:41 AM
in reply to: #2626768

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Master
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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?

I'll fall into the sleeveless camp.  I too have done early season MN tri's in a sleeveless and haven't had an ill effects from the cool water. 

I have a sleeved wetsuit and in the one race I did I had a bit of shoulder fatigue and got a little overheated.  I'll chalk that up to not practicing in it.

If you're not 'coldblooded, unless the lake is mountain fed or the ice just went off a sleeveless should be fine.

You could always rent one of a different type for each of your races and decide after.

2010-01-22 10:49 AM
in reply to: #2628706

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
I bought a Neosport sleeveless from ediscountbike via ebay and like it just fine for $89...  
Wetsuit brand difference would never be my limiting factor Cool
2010-01-25 9:20 AM
in reply to: #2626768

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Eden Prairie, MN
Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?

Xterra is also having a sale to get rid of their 2009 inventory. They have some sleeveless for  $99 dollars and the full sleeves for $199.

I bought a full sleeve Xterra a couple of years ago and it makes swimming so much easier. I've never had a sleeveless so I can't comment on that. I haven't felt too warm in the full sleeve, but most of my long races were either early(Buffalo Oly) or late in the season(Square Lake HIM).

Xterra is all mail order, so getting the right size can be a challenge. I had to exchange mine for a size bigger and it was fairly painless.

https://www.xterrawetsuits.com/promo/?gclid=CKfLqNPpv58CFdRM5QodL2yK3g

2010-01-25 9:45 AM
in reply to: #2632959

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?

I, too, raced with a sleeveless in colder races without ill effect.  I chose it due to cost at the time.  Unless you are very cold sensitive, anyone who calls themselves a Minnesotan would be fine in the 60 degree water for a sprint  

I did buy a sleeved suit this winter, just because Xterra was selling them for $150.  I will probably use both next year, dependant on the race  - both length of swim and temp.

By the way, the lifetime tri is often not wetsuit legal.   There were a few years in a row when the day was hot as heck and the water was very warm. 

No matter what you do, practice with the suit!  It's great hitting the lakes with a wet suit.  Best way to swim, imho.  I usually am in near the Memorial Day weekend.



2010-01-25 2:12 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
Thank you for the input everyone.

Edited by BriB 2010-01-25 2:12 PM
2010-01-25 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2632959

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
ScotInMinnesota - 2010-01-25 9:20 AM

Xterra is also having a sale to get rid of their 2009 inventory. They have some sleeveless for  $99 dollars and the full sleeves for $199.

I bought a full sleeve Xterra a couple of years ago and it makes swimming so much easier. I've never had a sleeveless so I can't comment on that. I haven't felt too warm in the full sleeve, but most of my long races were either early(Buffalo Oly) or late in the season(Square Lake HIM).

Xterra is all mail order, so getting the right size can be a challenge. I had to exchange mine for a size bigger and it was fairly painless.

https://www.xterrawetsuits.com/promo/?gclid=CKfLqNPpv58CFdRM5QodL2yK3g



Hey - thanks for the info - I just bought one - my 1st - I was going to look around some more but it looked like a good deal and good return policy.  Thanks again.
2010-01-27 3:48 PM
in reply to: #2626768

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Subject: RE: Sleeves or not?
I like my full sleeve Orca.  I bought it from Sierra Trading Post at a huge discount. 
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