Warmth of Wetsuits

RE: Warmth of Wetsuits

Former Member — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:12:54 GMT

dont forget a warm cap can help keep a lot of heat in, You may not need another wetsuit with a warmer cap system. www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html Till Oct 26 and the plug is pulled.

RE: Warmth of Wetsuits

Former Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:42:00 GMT

More important than the possible differences among full wetsuits in how warm they are, is how flexible they are. I own a couple of wetsuits I use for triathlons. My best race suit uses 1 mm (I think) in places in the arms and shoulders for more flexibility (Xterra Vendetta). As an open water swimmer, if I am going to wear a wetsuit, I don't want to know it's there. I have another one that uses 2 mm in arms and shoulders and I can notice that difference in flexibility (Zoot Z1). Part is the thickness but part is also the kind of rubber they use. Both suits use 5 mm thickness in the legs and abdomen which unavoidably raises your legs in the water requiring an adjustment in swimming form. I have just bought a sleeveless for next year for warmer water triathlons. While a full suit has been shown to be faster that a sleevless suit, I had 2 races where the water water temperature was wetsuit legal, but far too warm for me in my wetsuit. The first one I tossed my cap in the middle of the race and stopped to open up my neck for a quick rush of water in a 4K. The second was a triathlon. I decided to go without one and gave up approximately 1:30 to the competition (and thus my decision to buy a sleeveless). It is a great time to buy a wetsuit during end of the year sales by many online retailers. Xterra which sells direct might still be having theirs. You can also get a discount by following their link on begginertriathlete.com. On the flip side, I do not wear a wetsuit for open water swims unless they are allowed and all swimmers are ranked together (the 4K I mentioned above was co-sponsored by USMS and a local triathlon club)

RE: Warmth of Wetsuits

Former Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:18:42 GMT

Check out DeSoto's T1 WaterRover. It's 10mm thick! That should keep you plenty warm. www.slowtwitch.com/.../T1_Water_Rover_1045.html

RE: Warmth of Wetsuits

Former Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:24:26 GMT

Another forum stated that USAT limits the thickness of wetsuits to 5mm, but I did not see this in the official rules. Most likely they are right about USAT limiting the thickness. I have yet to find a SWIMMING wetsuit thicker than 5mm. On land I can add layers as it gets colder, but I don't think layers would work very well in the water. There's always plenty of acclimation info in the OW threads.

RE: Warmth of Wetsuits

Mookie — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:53:46 GMT

Well.....I'm not an open water swimmer per se, but I have been surfing for about 35 years. The primary warmth factor for a wetsuit is the thickness of the neoprene, usually measured in 'mils' or millimeters. Arms and legs for active sports are generally thinner than body panels. Find out the mils and you'll have a very accurate idea of the warmth. The secondary consideration is if the seams are glued, stitched, and taped. Each step costs $, but improves durability and warmth. Bill