Wet Suits - How to say it is for swimming

if you plan on ordering something from that site look at the triathlon suits www.swimoutlet.com/.../14538.htm those are the types of wetsuits for swimming anything that talks about abrasion pads is not for swimming

There are NO wetsuits that are good for swimming...

I own both a full suit (Vendetta) and a sleeveless (Vector Pro X2) that I wear for the triathlons I compete in (I can't bear to give up the speed advantage in the races). They are both great. The Vendetta is very flexible in the upper body and I only bought the sleeveless for warmer water triathlons. They only sell online direct to the customer. I've had good experiences with their customer service. Look for sales. They have them often and I bought both of my suits for 50% off http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/ I also believe that if people wearing wetsuits in OW races will bring more people into the sport then all the better. They just have to have a separate division for them.

I wear Desoto Speed Bottom (cut to just below knee) and Desoto First Wave top and found that flexibility of having a two piece is great. If legs are tired from biking or running, can use the bottom in open water practice. If arms sore from swimming or lifting, then can just use top. If water under 60F, use both!! E=H2O is right about bringing more people into the 10km venue with wetsuits, but remember just like in Biking with UCI/USAC, swimming with FINA/USMS is still back in the 1960's compared to the triathlon ITU/USAT. Kinda like Formula 1 compared to NASCAR....high tech versus red neck couch potatoes. :D

I wear Desoto Speed Bottom (cut to just below knee) and Desoto First Wave top and found that flexibility of having a two piece is great. If legs are tired from biking or running, can use the bottom in open water practice. If arms sore from swimming or lifting, then can just use top. If water under 60F, use both!! E=H2O is right about bringing more people into the 10km venue with wetsuits, but remember just like in Biking with UCI/USAC, swimming with FINA/USMS is still back in the 1960's compared to the triathlon ITU/USAT. Kinda like Formula 1 compared to NASCAR....high tech versus red neck couch potatoes. :D If a suit adds buoyancy, its cheating... fins and hand paddles aren't innovations that should be allowed simply because they improve performance. I would like to see a wetsuit category in USMS open water events but am convinced wetsuits offer a competitive advantage.

If a suit adds buoyancy, its cheating... fins and hand paddles aren't innovations that should be allowed simply because they improve performance. I would like to see a wetsuit category in USMS open water events but am convinced wetsuits offer a competitive advantage. It is not cheating if the rules provide for the use of them. If you are a "purist" and want to swim "naked" then by all means please do. I suspect people on this site prefer it. I also feel that it is only fair that if you do wear a wetsuit you should be considered to be in a separate event or division. If I find myself standing on the shore of an alpine lake which is 40 degrees and I have to decide whether I should just stand there or put on a wetsuit and jump in, my vote is for the wetsuit. Having both worn them and not worn them in triathlons, I can assure you they will allow you to cover the distance in less time.

I think you agree wetsuits offer a competitive advantage. I simply ask that events maintain two categories... I think this is USMS policy today. I am aware several associations continue to disallow wetsuits... I don't understand why one would discourage participation. I am conflicted regarding wetsuit use, but open water swimming needs as many participants as possible... I have completed a handful of alcatraz sharkfest swims, hosted by envirosports, and am convinced some proportion of 'no wetsuit' entries choose to wear wetsuits on race day... some of these 'competitors' wind up in the event top ten for 'no wetsuits.' I took offense to cantwait4bike to imply the wetsuit was some sort of innovation that you either accepted or you were a crazed luddite... two categories render the debate moot

I think allowing wetsuits do increase participation which is great. And there are definitely swimmers that are fast enough that you would think could go without one, but sometimes low body fat is an issue. For example in 2008 the winner of my age group at USA Triathlon Nationals said that swimming in the bay without a wetsuit was dangerous for him because of heat loss. He was first out of the water in my AG. He also went onto win the World Championships. Low body fat is essential in reaching elite status in triathlons. In 2009 I swam 2 races put on by Waterworld. First was the Alcatraz Swim with the Centurions. I was 17 out of 87 swimming in what they call skins, but was 32 out of 273. Clearly the 15 wetsuit folks were fast enough to skip the wetsuit, but they chose to wear one and that's fine. But I think most would have not swam it if they couldn't wear one. I also swam their Alcatraz Touch And Go (TAG) double crossing. I was 4 out of 7 in their skins division and 7 out of 17 overall. Frankly I was surprised anyone swam in a wetsuit but that was their choice. The fastest swimmer, who wore a wetsuit, did not get the big trophy being handed out that day.

Hi all, I was looking at some wetsuits out there, and I am wondering how I can say if they are good for swimming or if they are more for diving/surf/etc...For example, I have seen the following, and I am not sure if any of these will be good for OW swimming: www.swimoutlet.com/.../14109.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../11895.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../19378.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../19357.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../12257.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../12258.htm Maybe now a days all wet suits are made for any of these aquatic sports including swimming? If you have any recommendations that will be great. I do not want to spend a lot of money on this. Thanks and regards Bernardo We have veered a wee off-point from the thread... i know very little about wetsuits for swimming. However it is fair to say 'blueseventy' is among the premiere wetsuit brands of triathletes and open water swimming. Based on the few 'swim' wetsuits I have viewed online, they seem a significant investment. best of luck bernardo - I hope we see you at all events.

Hi all, I was looking at some wetsuits out there, and I am wondering how I can say if they are good for swimming or if they are more for diving/surf/etc...For example, I have seen the following, and I am not sure if any of these will be good for OW swimming: www.swimoutlet.com/.../14109.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../11895.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../19378.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../19357.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../12257.htm www.swimoutlet.com/.../12258.htm Maybe now a days all wet suits are made for any of these aquatic sports including swimming? If you have any recommendations that will be great. I do not want to spend a lot of money on this. Thanks and regards Bernardo Sorry I veered off the topic as well. I looked at the wetsuits you listed. All are surfing suits as far as I can tell. Not Suited for swimming. No matter what wetsuit you buy, make sure that it was specifically designed for swimming. Swimming specific wetsuits are not to be used for other sports. They are built for flexibility. And remember the most important rule in picking out a swimming wetsuit: the best wetsuit is the one that fits you the best. I got a March 9, 2009 email from Xterra offering both a Vortex 3 Fullsuit & Sleveless at 50% off ($199 & $149 respectively) using the coupon code FAST. While these are entry level suits I think they will work for you. The more demanding you are about flexibility the more it is going to cost you. They have a chart on their website for fitting and have a good return policy. Make sure you don't damage the wetsuit trying it on. DO NOT put it on like it was a diving or surf wetsuit. See their website for directions. Good luck.