Why Should I Wear a Wetsuit During My Triathlon?

Increased speed, warmth, and safety are but a few of the advantages of wearing a made-for-triathlon wetsuit in an open water swim. Triathlon wetsuits are designed for maximum buoyancy and total range of motion in the arms. Wetsuits' biggest advantage is that they keep you warm -- so warm that there are regulations at most triathlons that wetsuits can't be worn if the water temperature is greater than a certain level. Many triathlons would not happen at the time of year they do if it weren't for the wetsuits which athletes use.

Because of the wetsuits, you'll now find triathlons being offered with water temperatures in the 50s and low 60s. A third advantage of wearing a wetsuit is added safety. With a wetsuit, the risk of hypothermia is greatly reduced. With the added buoyancy, it is nearly impossible to sink. While wearing a triathlon type wetsuit in open water, stop moving your hands and feet and you'll float upright with the water at about neck/chin. Amazing!

What is the difference between a wetsuit made for surfing and a triathlon wetsuit?

A triathlon wetsuit is designed and made for swimming. It's thick in all the right places (for warmth and bouyancy) and thin in all the right places (for optimum range of motion and comfort). The inside seams and collar are stitched in a way to minimize chaffing. Surfing wetsuits are designed with the assumption the wetsuit will be coming into contact with the board. The rubber is less supple and tougher than a triathlon wetsuit. Since it's not designed for swimming, it's not thick in all the right places and thin in all the right places. Wearing a surfing wetsuit in a triathlon swim would be like doing the bike portion of the race on a beach cruiser. 

What are the differences between a wetsuit with sleeves and one without sleeves?

A wetsuit with sleeves is usually referred to as a full suit. Full suits will keep you warmer and are said to be faster. But, the Ironman Canada course record was broken using a sleevless wetsuit. The sleeveless wetsuit, usually referred to as a sleeveless or john, will feel more comfortable in the water than a full suit. Our rule as to when to wear which suit is: if the water temperature is 63 degrees or lower, go with a full suit. If it is 64 degrees and higher, go sleeveless.

What brand of wetsuits do you carry?

Our inventory includes a wide variety of wetsuit brands including 2XU, Blue Seventy, Nineteen, Orca, Rocket Science, Aquasphere and DeSoto.  Because we do sell the used rental suits and are constantly replacing those suits, our inventory is very fluid.  You will always find top name brand suits in great condition with WetsuitRental.com.  Because sizing charts vary from brand to brand, having such a wide selection of brands available makes it possible for us to fit almost anyone.

 I've never worn a wetsuit before. What can I expect?

The first thing you'll notice is that it's tough to get on. Then you notice once it's zipped up, it feels really tight and restrictive. The collar around your neck is also tight. If you're trying it on and the air temperture is hot, it's really difficult to get on and you'll start to heat up really fast. Solutions: The wetsuit needs to be put on slowly and deliberately. It's not the easiest thing to put on, but with care, you'll do it. It needs to be tight to keep the water out. From land into water, it will lossen up a bit. The collar needs to seal in order to prevent water from coming in at the neck. It might feel tight, but eventually you'll get used to it and won't even notice. Wetsuits are definitely easier to put on when the weather is cool, like in the morning when all triathlons tend to happen. As a general rule, keep the wetsuit down around your waist until you get to the water's edge and are ready to get wet. Then zip it up and jump in. About the worst place to try on a wetsuit is indoors. You need air flow which means outside and best when it's cool.