If you are in the market for a triathlon wetsuit, but you don’t have a clue about the difference between one triathlon wetsuit and another, here’s a few helpful tips about finding the right one for you.
Triathlon wetsuits offer many advantages, but they can also create some limitations. You’ll need to figure out which model will work best for you.
Triathlon wetsuits come in different forms. There is the full-body triathlon wetsuit, which is designed to cover the full length of your arms and legs, all the way to the wrists and ankles. Another form of triathlon wetsuit is called the “full John.” This model is similar to a vest on top, leaving the arms free, and covering the full length of the legs. Then there is the, "half John" Which is sleeveless and is much like a pair of knee-length shorts on the bottom.
Many people looking for a triathlon wetsuit sometimes confuse them with “skin suits.” Olympic swimmers often use skin suits. They can also be used for triathlon races. They are designed in such a way that the water slips around the body faster and gains slightly more buoyancy.
A triathlon wetsuit is legally allowed when the water temperature is below 78 degrees. Skin suits are designed for water temperatures above that level. Whether you use a triathlon wetsuit or a skin suit really depends on the temperature of the water.
Some people, those who naturally feel hot, will probably find a triathlon wetsuit or skin suit to be rather uncomfortable in waters that aren’t really cold. This is one of the disadvantages of a triathlon wetsuit or skin suit. They can make you heat up, especially if you are in a long triathlon race like the Iron Man. But if you are a person who naturally feels cold, or if you are swimming in water that is in the 50's ferinheight or 10-13 celsius, a triathlon wetsuit will serve you well.
One of the other factors to consider when shopping for a triathlon wetsuit is how much flexibility it has, especially in the shoulder area. Most triathlon wetsuit brands are thicker in the torso region (the material is about 5 mm thick) and thinner in the shoulder area (about 1.5 mm thick). The fact that most triathlon wetsuit brands, are thinner the shoulders, means that it won’t limit your movement as much when swimming. So be sure to buy a triathlon wetsuit that is made to provide you with free mobility.
Many people also wonder which brand of triathlon wetsuit is best. Frankly, there are many great brands out there. The key is to find the triathlon wetsuit that best fits you. So you’ll need to try them on. A good-fitting triathlon wetsuit will be very tight everywhere on your body, but especially in the armpit and groin area. If a triathlon wetsuit is loose in these areas two things will happen. First, the loose material will rub on your skin and cause chafing. Second, the loose areas will fill up with water and slow you down as you swim.
So keep these factors in mind as you shop for a good triathlon wetsuit, and ROCK ON!
