Sleeved vs Sleeveless

I have a two piece (Desoto) sleeved Riviera suit and a Champion Systems one piece sleeved suit.

I've run three tris this year in the sleeved one piece (and one 1.2 mi. OWS with it on, under my wetsuit). Nothing but good things to say about mine. I would imagine someone's like or dislike of them will be fit-dependent and quality-dependent. Mine feels like a second skin.

Good luck.

There is another thread up on this, but I will repeat, the reason for sleeved suits is they if they are tight fitting they tend to test as faster (more aerodynamic) than their sleeveless counterparts. You have to have tight fitting sleeved suits. If they are not tight enough they may be slower than a comparable sleeveless.

I have been to the wind tunnel and tested these suits. I have also worn them up for the swim with the zipper down, the zipper up. Although I am obligated to wear my ChampSys Apex suit, I personally like the Louis Garneau M:2. It was designed with aerodynamics in mind, but also with mobility, so even though it is tight you don't feel restricted. It has ColdBlack which helps you feel cool and is readily available too. It also seem to holds it shape better than other suits which tend to balloon out after use.

This is the LG M:2 I am talking about: http://amzn.to/22reJ6a

I love my Pearl Izumi Octane. It has gotten me through three IMs and probably 4 HIMs. I have only worn it in wetsuit legal races and I have always put it fully on before the swim and have not noticed any arm restriction with swimming. I don't have access to a wind tunnel so I can't confirm that it is faster than my old sleeveless suits but I sure don't think it is slower. I have a new Coure sleeved suit on order for this year and hope that it is at least as nice as the PI.

I bought it to try to maximize aerodynamics but keeping the sun off of my shoulders and upper arms has been an unexpected and very welcome benefit.

Thanks everyone. Jason, did you buy your new suit without trying it on? I've seen a few that look good and are priced right on Sierra Trading Post but I'd hate to buy one and have it be too tight or loose. Good to know about the aero benefits as well.