For wetsuits with very flexible shoulders, (Apex Flex or Apex Flow) it is important not to place them on a hanger from the shoulder area, as this will degrade the elasticity over time. Get the latest training, racing and nutrition advice from expert coaches. Sign up to receive exclusive offers and product previews directly from Orca. The Apex Flow is a new (r)evolution of the Predator, the range's most advanced wetsuit. Most surf suits and higher-end endurance wetsuits are described by thickness. Cost can range from around $300 to over $1000, but remember that beyond the price tag, its essential to look at the properties of the suit. Air dry it outside or in a ventilated indoor space, somewhere without direct exposure to sunlight as this can damage its materials. Note that the suit form fits, doesnt pinch, and in particular, is comfortable around the neck. It also incorporates highly elastic materials in the upper body, allowing for unrestricted swim strokes. The inclusion of the rollbar, floating zip, SCS coating and 39 cell buoyancy panelling make the P:1 Propel a top-value wetsuit that will deliver the power needed to surpass the competition. As cold water surfers have long known, the right wetsuit makes all the difference. Ultimately, your personal preference will determine your decision. Sleeveless wetsuits often feel more comfortable in the chest and shoulders to people who don't like the feel of tight clothing. Fit Comes FirstTriathlon wetsuits come in all different shapes, just like people. Remember that fit and comfort matter. Swimming around in a bulky wetsuit that doesnt allow a good range of motion in arms or shoulders or chafes the neck with head rotation isnt worth the investment. A triathlon suit should fit like a second-skin; it shouldnt be too loose or too tight and you should have a full range of motion in your shoulders. Open water swimming can continue even as temperatures drop. Petroleum products should be avoided. The Apex Flex is a new (r)evolution of the Alpha, the most flexible wetsuit in our range. This includes having a warm car or building nearby and dry, warm clothes. SwimOutlet+ Membership - Start Saving Today! The fit of the arms and legs isn't quite as important as the chest and shoulders. Thicker neoprene should be in chest and leg areashow thick is based on your preference. If an athlete isnt racing in the suit but wants to use it for offseason training only, getting all the expensive properties that assist in speed and fast removal can be traded for warmth. The best way to store a wetsuit is to hang it draped from its waist, so that the most delicate areas such as the shoulders and arms do not have any tension on them. The rubber/neoprene used to make wetsuits floats naturally. Some neoprenes incorporate large air pockets for increased buoyancy and others even have a super-thin layer of metal for added warmth. If there are three numbers, for example, 5/4/3, the suit has 5 mm of thickness in the core, 4 mm in legs and 3 mm in the arms. Some suits have extra buoyancy in the hips and legs so runners and cyclists with heavier legs can stay high in the water. Thanks to the 3 mm thick material in the torso and 5 mm thick material in the legs, this wetsuit will protect you from low temperatures in the ocean during the swimming segment of your triathlons. Be sure to take some swim strokes after you've got the wetsuit on to see how it feels. Each suit is constructed for success in a particular activity for example multisport (triathlon, swimrun) or open water swim competition vs. surfing or paddling. This is a closed-cell structure made from limestone. A runner with a thin upper body might not be comfortable in the same suit as a swimmer with broad shoulders. Sign up to receive SwimOutlet emails and get earlyaccess to new arrivals, sales, and more! Sizes can vary greatly between manufacturers and even between styles from the same manufacturer. A swimmer may be willing to sacrifice some of the flexibility of more expensive neoprene to gain thickness for open water training. Many wetsuits also have specially designed panels on the lower legs for speedy removal in transition. Sign up to our newsletter and join the Orca community, Adjust your communication preferences in your account settings, Free delivery on orders over $100 *Except Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, Please select a size before adding to cart, We will not share your data with any third parties, unless we are legally required to do so. The addition of specific thermal wetsuits to the performance line generally denotes a layer on the inside of the suit that adds warmth. This wetsuit incorporates specific technologies for maximum buoyancy and correction of technique, helping swimmers who need support to maintain a hydrodynamic position in open water. Obviously, the warmest and most buoyant material should be in the core. There is stretchability throughout tri wetsuits, but the thinner, most-flexible material is around your shoulders and arms for fast, easy movement. In particular, the zipper and neck should be constructed to keep water out while continuing to reduce friction. Neoprene itself is made from several layers of different materials. Womens wetsuits also have extra room in the chest. Take a brief survey about todays visit and help us make your shopping experience even better! Should have a full range-of-swim-motion so arms move freely and comfortably. Tri wetsuits are known for their precise neoprene width that vary on different areas of the wetsuit. The higher the number, the more flexible and slicker the neoprene. P:1 PROPEL An all-round wetsuit that delivers many of the key technical benefits of the elite tier of the 2XU range. All rights reserved. 4) Avoid scraping your wetsuit against any surface (especially rough surfaces), never lean on any surface with your wetsuit on. Even without thermal linings, looking at temperature ratings for individual suits and examining the use and type of neoprene means the possibility of balancing the properties of stretch with warmth to select the right suit. Our 2XU Propel wetsuit series is the fastest, most buoyant, and most flexible on the market. Several companies offer thermal vests or layers that can be worn under a wetsuit to increase core warmth and are a good lower-cost place to start. Major contributors that differentiate wetsuits include fit, type of neoprene, zipper style, lining materials and the presence of taped seams that increase both comfort and durability. The Athlex Flow is a new (r)evolution of the Sonar, the most balanced wetsuit in our range. Should not feel like it is riding up in crotch area (may mean wetsuit is too short). The Right Wetsuit MattersThere are many types of water sports wetsuits available and you might think they're all the same. The fit of the torso is very important when trying on a wetsuit. It is universally important in all wetsuits that they fit properly, but perhaps this has more impact when cold water swimming. Should have no painful restriction anywhere. Triathlon wetsuits are typically sized by gender, height and weight, but people in the same height and weight range can have very different builds. Storing your wetsuit properly keeps the materials and seams from creasing and being strained for long periods of time. Performance wetsuits offer a blend of factors that help hold body heat while continuing to allow an adequate range of motion and comfort. The Athlex Flex is a new (r)evolution of the Equip, the most flexible wetsuit in our range. Ready to SwimStop by and let us help you find the wetsuit that's right for you! SwimskinsNot all events allow wetsuits, especially when the water temps are warm. Get a text alert to stay first in line when wedrop prices on products, promotions, & news! Tri wetsuits hold a small amount of water inside the suit so your body can warm the water to form a barrier between you and the cold. The company notes the material is lightweight and flexible with high-heat retention. This feature is found on most mid- and high-end wetsuits. While a full-sleeve wetsuit offers a little more warmth, more buoyancy and less drag than a sleeveless one, some people find a sleeveless suit more comfortable. The neck needs to seal out water without feeling uncomfortable or restrictive and there are many different styles to achieve this. While all of these wetsuits will offer some degree of insulation, that's where the similarities end. Learn the key factors to consider when instructing your athletes in picking the right wetsuit. And the rear zipper is engineered to seal out water and be easy to remove in transition. On full-sleeve wetsuits, there are often different types of panels on the forearm designed to enhance the catch part of your stroke. Click here to read. The construction of the suit enhances buoyancy in the torso and legs allowing for improved body position in the water. Neckline should be comfortable and not suffocating. The thicker the material, the more buoyant but less flexible it isfind your ideal balance. Some people are more comfortable with sleeveless wetsuits, even in colder water. Neoprene can be damaged by excess salt or other chemicals such as chlorine if used in swimming pools. If the fit is not right, you are not going to be comfortable and the wetsuit will not be able to perform properly for you. When searching for your ideal wetsuit, stay with what you are most comfortable in because that is ultimately the most important. A very tight suit might ease up and feel better once in the water, so pay attention to manufacturer recommendations and in all cases look to try a suit on before committing. Get help with your purchases! Thanks to the very dense, closed-cell interior structure that traps nitrogen gas within each cell, the material is excellent for suits that are made for high activity. Neoprene thickness ranges from about 1mm-5mm (5mm is the maximum thickness allowed in competitions). Subscribe and be the first to hear about sales, new arrivals and more. It also prevents the material from wrinkling, which can affect both the wetsuit's durability and appearance. Be sure to bring your swim suit or triathlon kit to try on wetsuits. Carrie McCusker is a level 2 TrainingPeaks coach and a lifelong athlete who enjoys bringing individual attention to every level of athlete. It looks like you are not accessing orca.com from the country in which you are located. Some wetsuits are even cut high up on the calf to make removing them in transition a little easier. Water sports wetsuits are typically covered in abrasion-resistant Lycra and aren't necessarily designed for any particular body position. New Swimsuit Drop! A little water on the inside is fine, but if the suit doesnt fit well or has inadequate seams, its not going to keep a swimmer warm. SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE
Rollbar, floating zip, and propulsion paneling deliver the ultimate in wetsuit performance, improving form and power in the water. Keep in mind that it will be a little looser in the water! Some suits have taped seams to prevent water from getting in, although many suits employ critical taping only when the tape is applied to seam corners, connection points or particular areas of the suit. Should move with you and not against you; suit should feel like a thick second-skin. Triathlon wetsuits are often comprised of varying thicknesses of neoprene to optimize the fit and function of the wetsuit. Our triathlon wetsuits are made with Yamamoto Japanese Neoprene, the highest quality Neoprene on the market. Sleeveless suits are easier to get out of and offer more arm movement. Any damage to the wetsuit resulting from activities other than surface swimming is not covered by our warranty policy. Never swim alone or without having someone nearby. Its essential that water is not able to flush through the suit. Ultimately, the correct fit depends on your preferences. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. The features and construction of 2XU wetsuits have been perfected over a period of 14 years, with relentless innovation and continuous testing both in laboratories and with 2XU's elite athletes. THERMAL INSULATION
These wetsuit sleeves sport different forearm panels for catching and feeling the water. While a wetsuit may allow a small amount of water to enter, the water is rapidly heated by the body and acts as an additional form of insulation. Join now! Wetsuit manufacturers will often use different types of neoprene throughout a wetsuit to balance flexibility, durability and price. Full-Sleeve or SleevelessTriathlon wetsuits come in two basic styles: full-sleeve and sleeveless. Hypothermia can sneak up quickly as water and air temperatures drop. Triathlon wetsuits also incorporate different technologies for speed and comfort. Most wetsuits use a combination of Yamamoto #39 and #40 with #40 differing only in its superior flexibility which is often beneficial in the shoulders. Nano SCS coating delivers an extra 4% buoyancy and greater hydrodynamics, increasing speed and form in the water. Temperatures are dropping in the northern hemisphere, but that doesnt mean the end of open water swimming. A properly fitting wetsuit will give you a snug hug without restricting your stroke in the water. The thinner layers provide more flexibility so it is easier to move, preserving energy. For example, Blue Seventys Thermal Reaction wetsuit boasts a highly insulated, mid-weight zirconium jersey lining while Zone 3s Thermal Aspire has a heat tech fleece lining with a 100% Yamamoto exterior. The specific technologies included in this wetsuit maximize its buoyancy which helps correct your posture and swimming technique so that you can perform at your best. Please select your country and preferred language. If the torso is too short, it will feel like your shoulders are being pulled down. English. However, efficient swimmers with a strong kick may find that these types of suits interfere with their stroke. MAXIMUM ELASTICITY
Utilising 45 cells, the world's most flexible neoprene, and incorporating panels that feature unparalleled buoyancy, the perfect equilibrium between movement and elevation has been crafted. 3) Triathlon and open water wetsuits have been designed specifically for surface swimming. Help your triathletes manage their fear by breaking their Help your athletes take the stress out of their triathlon race morning! The legs and sleeves need to be snug enough to keep the water out but not so snug that your arms and legs start to tingle after awhile. Thicker areas are for easy buoyancy while thinner areas are for flexibility. While the neoprene used in triathlon wetsuits is very stretchy, not every wetsuit will fit every body type. P:2 PROPEL Winner of the 2018 Triathlete Magazine Buyers Guide Best In Class wetsuit, the P:2 Propel Wetsuit is the most buoyant wetsuit from 2XU. Some suits add thicker neoprene to increase leg float while minimizing thickness in arms and shoulders to enhance freedom of movement. We can't guarantee correct performance of the wetsuits for other activities. The three wetsuit qualities to pay attention to are buoyancy/flexibility, warmth, and hydrodynamics. The Apex Float is a new (r)evolution of the Orca 3.8.