Hi Guys,

Just wondering what the recommendations are for a first wetsuit. I don't want to break the bank, but I'm also not looking to buy a cheap surf wetty from ebay either.

I'm a newbie, only did one sprint Tri at the start of the year (Geelong minitri with no wetsuit, almost froze to death), but am looking to compete in a few Gatorade races this summer (sprint to olympic distance).

Also want to do some of the open water swims like pier to pub.

What type is the best bet, steamer, sleeveless? Are tri suits that different to surf suits these days?

Can you use a tri suit for surfing without shortening the life too much? I don't surf at the moment but might have a go in the near future.

Ballarat has bugger all wetsuit retailers, so where is a good retailer in Geelong or Melbourne that knows how to fit out a beginner triathlete with little wetty knowledge, and doesn't just stock high priced orcas.

Hi mate - all good questions, and lots of variables to answer. Partly, your swimming ability may have a bearing on this also. I'm a relatively stronger swimmer and personally prefer a sleeveless wetsuit for example, but most do not.

I know they cost a bomb, but the technology in the good full-length suits is pretty damn good, and they're heaps more flexible in the shoulders than your average surf suit. However, the reduced thickness in the average tri-wetsuit neoprene means they're susceptible to tears, so I wouldn't risk taking mine out on a board. If you're serious about tris, you're really up for purchasing 2 separate wetstuits unfortunately.

Having said that, I have an Aleeda sleeveless which retails for aroud $200 -$250, so you don't necessarily have to spend up to $700 for the latest Orca or Aquaman models. Slowtwits has some reviews of some of the better suits, including the interesting looking T1, which is a two-piece number, but said to be incredibly flexible, surprisingly quick to get out of, and of course expensive as heck.

I haven't shopped down around Victoria, but the Ironman westuits (now called Blue Seventy) can be purchased on-line at aquashop and they always have a stand at the major races (HIMs etc..). ACR is a Melbourne shop that often sells their gear through Trading Post as well, and good deals always seem to be on offer.

You might also want to check out the 2XU stuff. They are comparable to Ironman in regards to range, can't remember the costs when we were looking at them. That said, they are worth a look and have a list of retailers on their web-site

Cheers!

Thanks for the reply Miners (I was hoping I'd catch a response from you on the surfing question).

My swimming ability is pretty bad. I only started swimming with my head below the water 6 months ago (never really swam much as a kid). I'm now swimming 2-3k sessions a couple of times a week with 2k unbroken (well with turns obviously) being my longest, so the bouyancy of a full length will definitely be a help for me.

Given the price of cheap surf wetties, I think 2 suits might be an option. I'm pretty determined to go on with Tri's (and dare I say it one day an IM) so i might be able to make a case to the CFO.

The Aleeda sounds like a good price, what is the model name for the tri one? Do you find the sleevless too cold in some conditions?

It's very hard to find stockist for the cheaper options. Every Tri freiendly Cycle shop I've checked have Orca, L4, 2XU etc... Is wetsuit sizing something that you need to get fitted for, or can you measure yourself up and be pretty confident of getting a good fit when buying over the net?

Truck reminded me - If I have a personal preference and was going to buy myself a new suit, I would go for the 2XU stuff. The suits range from

EDIT: Didn't see your response Al - I was going to suggest that the aquashop seem to have really good service from what a few mates of mine have experienced here. While they had a couple of problems with tears in stitching etc (which admittedly isn't good news), they found that the wetsuits were replaced no questions asked. Thus I presume they would show similar service if you ordered one and found the size wasn't great. Otherwise, probably the Shepparton HIM would be the first chance you might get to try a few suits on at in the aquashop stand at the expo they have there.

The aleeda I have is a bit old now, so the model is out of date. However, if you check the "accessories" page on their (ugly) website, you can see their long johns are relatively affordable. It's hard to find stockists of their suits though. They're also pretty rare at Tri events (I might see half a dozen amongst a field of 400-500). However other quality brands like Quintana Roo, Aquaman, Living 4 etc.. are also hard to spot. Orca and Ironman branded suits always seem to dominate.

I'll look into the 2XU suits, I've only seen the expensive ones stocked (yep they look awesome). I didn't realise they had a cheaper line. I'm guessing from the website that the comp 2 is the <$300 option, however I cant find online pricing from any oz dealers. Might have to make some phone calls.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I know it's a bit tough trying a 2XU on for sizing, but I know that a mate of mine up here (Jim) who runs TRS Cycle Centre (0265847717) would LOVE to sell you one. At the very least he could help you out with pricing and other details

Hi Alchemy,

I know Brunswick Street Cycles stock the 2XU gear, I drooled over it for a bit when I was buying my bike. If you knew your size you can order online from them too, pricing is $450, $600, $750, but I've had some pretty good discounts from them so just ask!

I'm also in the market for a wetsuit, I'll definately be going the option with arms, our water is just too cold!

Good Luck, hopefully catch up at one of the races this year!

Im a strong swimmer I prefer sleeveless. I have tried good quality full length steamers and I am slower and feel "tight" in them. I have an old Ironman wetsuit which worksfor me fine. I recomand sleeveless to everyone.
I like the look of Xterra wettys, if I was going to buy a new one. Look around heaps before you buy you will find some good deals www.trisports.com are from the US and have had good deals in the past,just need to know your size

From what you are saying Alchemy, you want a full sleeve wetsuit. Leave off the sleeve only when swimming is a breeze.

As for the surfing, I would not recommend surfing in a nice new tri-suit. Agree with others that you'll be up for two.

Not sure what you mean by that one LL.

(Sigh - my attempts at poetry have always sucked)

Just that (without going in to the reasons) very good swimmers are usually better off using a sleeveless wetsuit, but for everyone else, long sleeves are best.

Sorry. I should have said it out loud.

For the slow average Joe, on sleeves, you must sew.

That's the spirit Alchemy! LOVE IT!

mate, I have tried heaps of wettys. I am a swim coach and always recomand short sleeve. They feel better forme I always swim faster in one and always fresher in one. sleeveless = freedom, steamer=warmth. You should try as many as you can before you buy.

Here goes, my first post.

I got an Ironman Instinct sleeveless from the Aquashop on the Gold Coast for under 300bucks. I ordered it on a Monday and it was here (NTH QLD) Wednesday. Great service. I even got a phone call a week later to make sure the fit was correct.

Ronnie

Great to see you over here Ronnie - you'll be just as well looked after here as with our other friends

Hope the training's going well. What's the next big thing on the schedule?

Yeppoon in 3 weeks. The dreams started last night so I think the nerves are kicking in. Wishing I had an extra 3 weeks up my sleeve to train.

Been reading you have a blog so you best send me the link so I can be bored pooless (just so I dont feel left out of the loop) about your new bike setup.

I was suprised to see this jump to the top again!

Thanks for the reply Ronnie, and welcome to CR

I might have to stop lurking on Trannies to continue the cross pollenation

PS. Make sure you tell the Trannies about Miners blouse fetish over here

Yay Ronnie! you'll be absolutely fine at Yeppoon. You've been training really well, and have had some great support. Shame I won't be up there to see you complete your first half. All the best of luck for it

If you're really that desperate, my signature below is acutally a link to the training diary

Having borrowed wetsuits, here are some tips:

1. Fit is important. If it's not snug enough, the water doesn't stay out. You still float, but the drag more than makes up for that.
2. Material matters. Standard wetties are wetsuits, not drysuits. Tri wetties border on dry suits. They repel the water. Water flows through the neoprene of standard wetties and you can feel the drag.
3. On sleeves: I am a moderately strong swimmer and I hated sleeves. I found it really hard to push my arm into the water. I also found out in transition that once my arm muscles were pumped from swimming, it suddenly became very hard to get the top part of the wetsuit off of me. (The legs were easy because I was prepared.)

If you're somewhere cold, it's worth going out and getting a good wettie, first go. I'm a Queenslander so I just bought a teflon coated race swimsuit.

Hmmm this has been interesting. I've been struggling to form the required triathlete bond with my wetsuit for a few years now. I have a full steamer ironman wetsuit.. and while i love it when i'm standing in the water - i am sure i swim slower in it, the times say i swim the same, but i FEEL slower. I am a fairly strong swimmer. I was really perplexed by this as i want to get my monies worth out of the darn thing and altho people have told me i should get a sleeveless instead but i'm pretty sure its my legs that feel lethagic from having the wetsuit on not my arms. Even tho i don't kick that much, they just feel tight around the thighs and heavy after a few hundred meters.. I'll have to go out and test it again as i need to work out whether i want to use it for yeppoon.. I've been so lucky the past tri season as every tri i've done has been no wetsuit swims! yippeee - tho this has meant i haven't practised in my wetsuit nor got my monies worth of my purchase.. oh well. See you in yeppoon Ronnie!

See you there Archie. Think I'm gonna be last.

You should also check out Xisle wetsuits from Mornington. Quite a few Melbourne based triathletes use them as they are priced competitively.