General Discussion Triathlon Talk » sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit Rss Feed  
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2011-01-10 11:49 AM

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Expert
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Portland
Subject: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
which do you choose and why?

A few things I DO understand....

1. water temp is a consideration between with and without sleeves
2. mobility can be an issue with the sleeved wetsuits

I have a tendancy to get very warm when I swim and I'm worried that the sleeved wetsuit will be too warm.

Edit:  To the ladies, my wife has broad shoulders, was this an issue in sleeved vs. sleeveless?

Edited by menglo 2011-01-10 11:57 AM


2011-01-10 11:55 AM
in reply to: #3290123

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Expert
945
50010010010010025
, Michigan
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
I can speak with very lmited experience, but just recently bought a sleeved Xterra suit, mildly concerned about the mobility issue, and can say without a doubt that my mobilty was not compromised to any noticeable degree. The suit flexed and felt absolutely great throughout my trial swim. The fabric technololgy is absolutely incredible on these suits.
2011-01-10 12:06 PM
in reply to: #3290123

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Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
menglo - 2011-01-11 12:49 AM which do you choose and why?

A few things I DO understand....

1. water temp is a consideration between with and without sleeves
2. mobility can be an issue with the sleeved wetsuits

I have a tendancy to get very warm when I swim and I'm worried that the sleeved wetsuit will be too warm.

Edit:  To the ladies, my wife has broad shoulders, was this an issue in sleeved vs. sleeveless?


hm, is the suit for you or your wife? i have massive shoulders and have worn both men and women's, sleeveless and full, without any problems. different brands and models have different fits ... if the suit fits, sleeveless vs full in terms of mobility is NOT an issue.

if you're heating up in a wetsuit, sleeves v. not is not going to make that much of a difference.

if you didn't already notice , for wetsuit racing, i'm for sleeves all the way ... better buoyancy + extra width on your arms (your paddles) = speed.
2011-01-10 12:08 PM
in reply to: #3290123

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Champion
7821
50002000500100100100
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
You’ll almost never see a pro wearing anything but a full-sleeve suit in a wetsuit-legal swim, which says a lot. I think that as long as the wetsuit is fit properly, shoulder mobility isn’t a significant enough issue to offset the increased warmth and buoyancy of a full-sleeve suit (not to mention protection against jellyfish…).
2011-01-10 12:10 PM
in reply to: #3290123

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Master
1366
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PNW
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
I also have a tendancy to get very warm when I swim (I swim in a lycra cap instead of silicone in the pool to keep my head cooler) so I went with sleeveless and I'm super glad that I did.  I was comfortable in 55F water in my sleeveless at the begining of the season.  On the flip side, it was bearable in 73F water (borderline too warm) at the end of the season.  Around here, that covers pretty much any tri, so I'm so glad I didn't bother with sleeves.
2011-01-10 12:11 PM
in reply to: #3290178

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Expert
1037
100025
Portland, OR
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
TriAya - 2011-01-10 12:06 PM
menglo - 2011-01-11 12:49 AM which do you choose and why?

A few things I DO understand....

1. water temp is a consideration between with and without sleeves
2. mobility can be an issue with the sleeved wetsuits

I have a tendancy to get very warm when I swim and I'm worried that the sleeved wetsuit will be too warm.

Edit:  To the ladies, my wife has broad shoulders, was this an issue in sleeved vs. sleeveless?


hm, is the suit for you or your wife? i have massive shoulders and have worn both men and women's, sleeveless and full, without any problems. different brands and models have different fits ... if the suit fits, sleeveless vs full in terms of mobility is NOT an issue.

if you're heating up in a wetsuit, sleeves v. not is not going to make that much of a difference.

if you didn't already notice , for wetsuit racing, i'm for sleeves all the way ... better buoyancy + extra width on your arms (your paddles) = speed.


We'll BOTH be getting wetsuits!  I think/hope...  I had considered getting a sleeveless due to the wide shoulder issue that menglo mentioned, but with the BT SURVEY DISCOUNT, how could I pass up this opportunity? 


2011-01-10 12:19 PM
in reply to: #3290194

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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
SoccerGK - 2011-01-11 1:11 AM
TriAya - 2011-01-10 12:06 PM
menglo - 2011-01-11 12:49 AM which do you choose and why?

A few things I DO understand....

1. water temp is a consideration between with and without sleeves
2. mobility can be an issue with the sleeved wetsuits

I have a tendancy to get very warm when I swim and I'm worried that the sleeved wetsuit will be too warm.

Edit:  To the ladies, my wife has broad shoulders, was this an issue in sleeved vs. sleeveless?


hm, is the suit for you or your wife? i have massive shoulders and have worn both men and women's, sleeveless and full, without any problems. different brands and models have different fits ... if the suit fits, sleeveless vs full in terms of mobility is NOT an issue.

if you're heating up in a wetsuit, sleeves v. not is not going to make that much of a difference.

if you didn't already notice , for wetsuit racing, i'm for sleeves all the way ... better buoyancy + extra width on your arms (your paddles) = speed.


We'll BOTH be getting wetsuits!  I think/hope...  I had considered getting a sleeveless due to the wide shoulder issue that menglo mentioned, but with the BT SURVEY DISCOUNT, how could I pass up this opportunity? 


ah ha hahah

i hope you do both get wetsuits!
2011-01-10 12:20 PM
in reply to: #3290123

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Champion
9407
500020002000100100100100
Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit

Sleeves 100% of the time.

Shane

2011-01-10 12:36 PM
in reply to: #3290123

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Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
If it's wetsuit legal, wear one.
If you're wearing a wetsuit, wear one with sleeves.

Make sure the thing actually fits you. If it "fits" in the store, it's too big. If it's a wrestling match to get it on and it's a bit too tight in the store, it fits about right. It'll loosen up in the water.
2011-01-10 1:15 PM
in reply to: #3290123

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Pro
6011
50001000
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
Full sleeves. Besides the reasons mentioned, I look at it like this: If it's cold enough for a suit, I want the sleeves for warmth. If it's warm enough for my arms to be comfortable in a sleeveless, it's warm enough to HTFU, and go nekked. If performance is a consideration, a full sleeve beats a sleeveless nearly every time, all other variables being equal.
2011-01-10 1:17 PM
in reply to: #3290189

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Pro
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Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
GLC1968 - 2011-01-10 10:10 AM ...I was comfortable in 55F water in my sleeveless at the begining of the season.  On the flip side, it was bearable in 73F water (borderline too warm) at the end of the season.  ....


Wow- you are a freak of nature.  You wouldn't survive living in Tucson.
I'll bet I can handle the heat better than you!

brrrrrrr


2011-01-10 2:24 PM
in reply to: #3290353

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Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
TriMyBest - 2011-01-10 2:15 PM
 If it's warm enough for my arms to be comfortable in a sleeveless, it's warm enough to HTFU, and go nekked. 


That's sort of what I've always thought. I've never been in the water in the wetsuit and thought, gee, my arms are warm but everywhere else is comfy. I own only a full sleeve suit and have never had mobility issues or overheating issues.
2011-01-10 2:32 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Subject: ...
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2011-01-10 2:37 PM
in reply to: #3290553

Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
In a properly fitted wetsuit.  Mobility should NOT be an issue.  Maybe just in your head...

full sleeve = more boyancy = faster...

I had both for a while and quickly sold my sleeveless
2011-01-10 2:38 PM
in reply to: #3290357

Master
1366
10001001001002525
PNW
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
morey000 - 2011-01-10 11:17 AM
GLC1968 - 2011-01-10 10:10 AM ...I was comfortable in 55F water in my sleeveless at the begining of the season.  On the flip side, it was bearable in 73F water (borderline too warm) at the end of the season.  ....


Wow- you are a freak of nature.  You wouldn't survive living in Tucson.
I'll bet I can handle the heat better than you!

brrrrrrr


Tuscon would kill me.  North Carolina almost did. Wink  Hell, even Florida was too warm for me and I lived on the Gulf coast where it never really got all that hot. 

I can say with complete confidence, I'll never race at Kona.  I wilt just thinking about it!
2011-01-10 2:48 PM
in reply to: #3290189

Champion
9407
500020002000100100100100
Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
GLC1968 - 2011-01-10 2:10 PM

I also have a tendancy to get very warm when I swim (I swim in a lycra cap instead of silicone in the pool to keep my head cooler) so I went with sleeveless and I'm super glad that I did.  I was comfortable in 55F water in my sleeveless at the begining of the season.  On the flip side, it was bearable in 73F water (borderline too warm) at the end of the season.  Around here, that covers pretty much any tri, so I'm so glad I didn't bother with sleeves.


A good reason to race in Canada - our temperature cutoffs are much more reasonable for wetsuit use (IMO):

Sprint and Oly - 22C
HIM - 23C
IM - 24C

Shane


2011-01-10 3:22 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Expert
2547
200050025
The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
full sleeves regardless of temp situation

Go sleeveless only if you're getting a cheaper (or super inexpensive) wetsuit. Cheap rubber isn't nearly as flexible. Most decent wetsuits will have more than enough flexibility in the shoulders though.


All my personal opinion of course.
2011-01-10 3:32 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Pro
3804
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Seacoast, NH!
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit

It is entirely up to you which one you do. All the pros wear fulls and there are several reasons why most manufacturers recommend that you buy a full if you are to have one suit.  Some of them are:

1.  Your buoyancy is increased through the use of neoprene in the shoulders and sleeves.
2.  The suit (I think most modern ones at least) has an outer coating that is slicker than human skin, allowing you to move through the water with more speed.
3.  The forearms have a "catch" on them that catches the water as you move through your swim stroke and propels you through the water faster.

With that said...I am faster in my sleeveless.  The main reason is that I do not have a very expensive full suit (even at $250).  The rubber under my arm pits is tighter and it fatigues my shoulders when I reach.  I can never seem to get the damn arms on far enough.  Obviously not a perfectly fitting suit like the guy said when I bought it two years ago.  Secondly, my sleeveless is more buoyant in the legs and keeps me flatter in the water.  Should this happen if I am swimming correctly???? No.

2011-01-10 3:34 PM
in reply to: #3290706

Pro
3804
20001000500100100100
Seacoast, NH!
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
tjfry - 2011-01-10 4:22 PM full sleeves regardless of temp situation

Go sleeveless only if you're getting a cheaper (or super inexpensive) wetsuit. Cheap rubber isn't nearly as flexible. Most decent wetsuits will have more than enough flexibility in the shoulders though.


All my personal opinion of course.


Yeah, so I basically proved this point perfectly.
2011-01-10 4:02 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Elite
3090
20001000252525
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit

I own both. Sounds like your first suit, so I'll agree with the majority--get a full.

But, I do like swimming in the sleeveless. I swim in open water a lot, and kind of get tired of putting on the fullsleeve suits. To do it right, it takes a lot longer than the sleeveless. Plus I worry about tearing the sleeves with all the tugging and pulling.

Maybe it's just me, but if the water's warm enough, and it's just a training swim I go sleeveless.

2011-01-10 5:24 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Extreme Veteran
682
500100252525
Mendenhall, MS
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
I have a sleeveless right now and i am upgrading to a full by end of month.
Go full sleeve


2011-01-10 6:22 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Expert
829
50010010010025
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
I bought sleeveless for two main reasons.  One, I'm cheap, and the sleeveless was cheaper.  Two, being a low end wetsuit, and ordering it sight unseen online, I figured I had a much higher likelyhood of it fitting well, and no possibility of shoulder restriction. 

I used my wetsuit in races ranging from water temps in the low 50's to the low 70's.  I felt fine, temperature wise, in all of them.  And I swim a good 10-15 seconds/100 faster with it on.  Maybe I'd be a little faster with full sleeves, or if I'd spent more than $99 for a wetsuit, but the big improvement is from no wetsuit to wetsuit, not from no sleeves to sleeves.
2011-01-10 6:38 PM
in reply to: #3291115

Master
2426
200010010010010025
Central Indiana
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
norcal_SAHD - 2011-01-10 7:22 PM I bought sleeveless for two main reasons.  One, I'm cheap, and the sleeveless was cheaper.  Two, being a low end wetsuit, and ordering it sight unseen online, I figured I had a much higher likelyhood of it fitting well, and no possibility of shoulder restriction. 

I used my wetsuit in races ranging from water temps in the low 50's to the low 70's.  I felt fine, temperature wise, in all of them.  And I swim a good 10-15 seconds/100 faster with it on.  Maybe I'd be a little faster with full sleeves, or if I'd spent more than $99 for a wetsuit, but the big improvement is from no wetsuit to wetsuit, not from no sleeves to sleeves.


^^^

Also found it easy to get used to sleeveless as my 1st (only) wetsuit last year.  Maybe all in my head.


Edited by Oldteen 2011-01-10 6:44 PM
2011-01-10 6:55 PM
in reply to: #3290123

Veteran
277
100100252525
The Nation's Frosty Capital
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
I go sleeveless.
For me, it's a better fit, more mobility, and a quicker transition without the worry of tearing a sleeve. I don't find the sleeves are any warmer in cold water. My real problemin really cold water is my head. A neoprene cap does wonders.  I too am built for power. Big upper body and arms make the sleeves something of a problem.

Consesus seems to be the other way.
2011-01-11 12:07 AM
in reply to: #3290123

Member
49
25
Redmond
Subject: RE: sleeveless vs. sleeved wetsuit
If you're only getting one, get one with sleeves.  You shouldn't have any mobility restrictions if it fits right.  I've also got pretty broad shoulders and haven't had any fit problems with them - I've used both BlueSeventy and Xterra brands.
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