Is there a difference between a wetsuit and a triathlon wetsuit?
A tri suit has no flotation so it is fine in any event. A wet suit offers flotation so it corrects for some swimming flaws and makes most people faster. Some people would use the floatation to their advantage so that is where the temp rule comes in. A wet suit keeps you warm, but a tri suit doesn’t. Triathletes need a wetsuit that allows them to move their arms freely and efficiently without restricting their stroke. Triathlon race suits are designed with thinner neoprene around the shoulders (usually 1-1.With good care before, during and after your swim, a triathlon wetsuit should last for a good few years without any notable drop in performance. However, they can also be delicate and wear easily if adequate care isn’t taken.The best wetsuits for triathlon enhance your experience in the open water by helping you float at the surface and keeping you warm in cold temperatures; it should allow full stroke mobility through the shoulders and avoid excessive tightness in the chest for ease of breathing; it should feel like a secure second skin .You can opt to wear your usual swimsuit, jammers or Speedos. Or you can wear a tri suit. Come race day, the most efficient option is to wear a tri suit under your wetsuit. This means you won’t have to waste any time changing kit between the swim and the bike.
What thickness triathlon wetsuit do I need?
For this, look for a suit and cold water swim gear with thermal lining and a neoprene thickness of at least 4-5mm. Just bear in mind that anything above 5mm is not permissible for triathlon racing. One of the main reasons to wear a wetsuit for open water swimming and triathlon is for additional warmth in the water. The clue might be in the name – but a wetsuit isn’t designed to keep you dry. It’s actually designed to keep you warmer by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and your skin.Triathletes need a wetsuit that allows them to move their arms freely and efficiently without restricting their stroke. Triathlon race suits are designed with thinner neoprene around the shoulders (usually 1-1.An entry level suit will often provide greater warmth and buoyancy but reduced flexibility. Maximum wetsuit thickness for competitive triathlons is 5mm to help reduce the risk of overheating.These garments called triathlon suits or ‘swim skins’ are thinner than wetsuits and are made of water-repellent fabrics. Triathlon suits are less popular than wetsuits as they guarantee glide but do not offer thermal protection and are used by the most demanding athletes for ‘fast’ races.Triathlon suits also come with built-in padding that provides comfortable support for the seating area. In colder temperatures it is quite common to wear an undershirt under the triathlon suit. Many athletes also wear sports bras for stability, such as the Ritual Performance Sports Bra.
Should you size up or down in triathlon wetsuits?
Suits that are too small will feel awful and wear you down. Ladies should always opt for their dress size, however once again if you are between sizes always go for the size up! Swim suits are notoriously tight fitting, so be prepared for that and calculate that into your choice if you are stuck between sizes. Whatever you use your wetsuit for, the most important thing to get right is the fit. Your wetsuit should feel snug and tight all over. If there’s excess material in places like the neck and cuffs, it will let water in and negate all its insulating properties. Don’t be too taken aback by the tightness of a wetsuit.Wetsuits should be close fitting to your body without any bagginess, while still being able to move your arms and legs comfortably. However, it shouldn’t be too easy to get on and off, if it is easily done without much effort, it may be too big.Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited.So how tight should it feel? Your wetsuit should feel close-fitting but not uncomfortable or overly-restrictive and you should be able to move in it. Wetsuits do feel slightly looser once you get in the water and water is allowed into them, too.
At what temperature should you wear a wetsuit for a triathlon?
Wetsuits are designed to help keep a swimmer warm. For age groupers, USA Triathlon requires wetsuits when the water temperature in an event is below 60. Fahrenheit. At most races, age-group athletes are permitted to wear wetsuits, up to 5 millimeters thick, in water up to 83 degrees. Wet suits don’t keep you dry, but they can keep you warm. Wet suits are made of waterproof, closed-cell, foam-rubber (neoprene) which insulates even when wet. The two main things that determine how warm you will be are the thickness of the neoprene and the snugness of the wet suit.USAT Wetsuit Rules Those guidelines state: USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.Your body heats that water, and the neoprene helps retain the warmth. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water.A 5mm neoprene thickness is ideal for water temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, offering warmth and a fair amount of flexibility for activities like surfing or diving. In warmer waters above 15°C, it may feel too warm, and a thinner wetsuit (3mm or 2mm) is a better choice.
Should I get a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit for triathlon?
If you’re primarily in warmer waters, a 3mm suit should be sufficient, if you’re primarily in waters where temperatures hover around the mid-teens, a 4mm suit should be more than enough. But if you plan to tackle cold waters or winter waves, a 5mm wetsuit will keep you toasty and ready for anything. Maximum thickness allowed for triathlon is 5mm, so most manufacturers will use this in the body, where buoyancy is most important. Other areas including back, shoulders and arms will typically range from 1.For this, look for a suit and cold water swim gear with thermal lining and a neoprene thickness of at least 4-5mm. Just bear in mind that anything above 5mm is not permissible for triathlon racing.Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves (if full-length) should fall at the wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone, and there should be no gaps, pockets, or rolls of neoprene. Wetsuits fit more snugly than clothing.The best wetsuits for triathlon enhance your experience in the open water by helping you float at the surface and keeping you warm in cold temperatures; it should allow full stroke mobility through the shoulders and avoid excessive tightness in the chest for ease of breathing; it should feel like a secure second skin .