What Are the Top 5 Features To Consider When Buying a Triathlon Wetsuit?

Here is a quick guide outlining key considerations to take into account when you are purchasing a triathlon wetsuit. This guide features triathlon wetsuit material right through to the manufacturer's warranty.

The most common material is neoprene, which comes in different levels depending on your price range. Top brands coat their more expensive wetsuits with a silicon coating skin (SCS) that cuts quicker through water helping with propulsion and glide through the water. The "nano" coating on some wetsuits helps trap air between the silicon and the suit to increase buoyancy. It's important to look for a wetsuit that has different levels of thickness with the shoulder panels and arms thinner than the chest and legs. The thicker material around the torso and upper legs will help with floatation and the thinner panels help with easier movement and flexibility.

Correct fit and wetsuit construction

The wetsuit needs to fit snuggly and it should not let in any water flow. This means the wrists, ankles and neck should have a comfortable firm seal. The wetsuit construction itself should have a mixture of stitching and glue between the panels to increase the life of your wetsuit. The wetsuit will initially feel tight and hot when you first try it on out of the water. Once you enter the water it will start to feel more comfortable. Choose the correct size by using the height and weight size guides found on most online retail websites. As a rule of thumb if your body type is tall and thin then be guided more by the height and with short and wide body types go with the weight size guides.

Make sure the zipper draws all the way down the back, so the end is level with your hips. This makes it easier to put the wetsuit on and ensures an easier transition when taking off your wetsuit from the water exit. You can also use a water-soluble lubricant around your ankles to make it even easier to take off your wetsuit.

Propulsion panels and speed strakes

Rubber panels on the bottom side of the forearms act as a paddles when swimming. This helps the pull stroke and creates faster propulsion through the water. Another new feature for top of the range wetsuits include speed strakes along the chest panels and the legs. The strakes help hydrodynamic stability in choppy water and it also helps you keep a straight line in the flat, outdoor water.

If you are buying online, always check that the retailer has a warranty and exchange policy in place. Buying a wetsuit is an expensive investment, so it's important to have piece of mind if it is damaged due to manufacturing error.

For more information on a wide range of wetsuits from entry to high performance, please visit Triathlon Wetsuits.

Mike Kirkman,
Helping you achieve your triathlon goals
http://www.triathlon2win.com/