Wetsuits--What are you using?

I"ve got a QR quickjohn. Haven't used it in a race yet. Probably will in 2 weeks for the Danskin. I liked it when I wore it the other day to try it out. Easier to get out of than I thought it would be.

I'm an avid waterskier, so I'm going to wear my Skiwarm wet suit. Hopefully it will do the trick...

I did my first tri yesterday. Was debating with myself all the time during training weather to get a wetsuit or not. I purchased an Xterra ventilator sleevless 2 weeks ago. I used it in my race and loved it.

Ironman Sprint Longjohn

I do not need a wetsuit, I am the thick layer of fat that I have accumulated keeps me bouyant and warm in even the coldest water. I guess after i lose the weight I will have to try something else then. :-) :-)

I use a ProMotion sleeveless and Tri Sleeves combo.
http://www.wetsuit.com/store/products.cfm?category_name=triathlon
Total cost was $239 for both.

The Tri Sleeves look like a jacket, and have a thin (1mm) chest and "normal" (2mm) sleeves.
They fit right under any sleeveless wetsuit, turning it into a full.

The best part about this is that I can swim in either a full or sleeveless, depending on temp.
I've swum in 60-degree water (full) and 77-dgree water (sleeveless), and was comforatble in both.

I have the QR Ultrafull, it was the only one that could fit me, they had to special order me a XS. I am still not sure how I like the fit, I think that it is far to short for me. I am 6' and 150 lbs. is that such an off size? I would think that with many triathletes coming from running backrounds you would find a larger market for small framed guys. Oh well, I must be too small for the sport! Has anyone else ran into this problem?

An Orca Speedsuit and it is pretty cool for me, although it took a couple of practice swims to get used to it! :-)
Vanessa

I need to purchase my first tri wetsuit. I see QR quickjohn on sale for 139.00. I don't plan to swim in water less than 70 degrees is this a good purchase? It is sleeveless and half leg. Please advise!

Got a Quintana Roo for Christmas. It is a full wet suit. Haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

I have a QR Ultrafull that I love. Maybe someday I'll be able to get into it again?? I am NOT buying another.
Ellen

Aquaman for two tri season. So far so good...

Aquaman for two tri season. So far so good.

Still using my bathing suit, a high drag model. Are you all using wetsuits to keep warm in open water or to streamline?

I am still chubby enough that i stay plenty warm in the polar waters... lol. dont have one yet but plan on getting one. water in Idaho is nice and chilly!

both. it is amazing how much my swim improves when I use the wetsuit. The last Danskin I opted to swim without it and regretted it the whole time.

I've been seeing references to suits helping you float as well. I float like a cork tho, or at least like a fat man. Are the tri wetsuits any different from the shorties you would wear in warm water scuba?

yeah, they are much different. I don't know a lot about scuba suits, but tri wetsuits are thinner and designed to get you thru the water faster. Floatation is not a problem of mine either, but the suit helps me slice thru the water more efficiently.

Quintana Roo fullsuit. But planning to get a new one this year. Not sure which one yet.

I got a Highway 19 full suit for a good price. It works well for me, who is by no means an expert!

Just bought a new one yesterday. Orca Predator.

OKAY- right before my first triathlon... I was vacationing in florida... stupidly i went in to a surf shop and asked around for opinions. explained my situation about the triathlon- and i walked out that day a proud owner of an O'Neill wetsuit. I couldn't figure out why i did so poorly in my swim portion- until after the race when i was putting my wetsuit away- somebody mentioned to me that i had a SURFING suit.

I eventually ended up with an Orca after doing the Team in TRaining for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation [it was "free"].

I'd like to hear more about the "free" part.

Those of you (particularly women) who have used a wetssuit -- do you find it difficult to take off after the swim? And do you prefer full sleeves to short or no sleeves??? I am in the market for one this year and am quite at a loss of what features to look for and what to keep clear of.

Explanation on the "free" wetsuit. Since I did the Team in Training fundraiser for the Leukemia& lymphoma society- I had to raise $2000 dollars worth of donations for them. Well besides the good coaching, seminars, cliff bars; towards the end of this fundraiser [two weeks before the race] we recieved an Orca wetsuit with the "Team in Training" logo.

Both my suits are long sleeve- and yes no matter how lubbed my body was- I can't figure out how to "slip" out of my wet suit.

Anybody need a surfing wetsuit?