Wetsuit is probably the most important item used by the triathletes. Hereby, we would like to share some knowledge about the triathlon wetsuit for your reference based on our experience of this item.
Three basic functions of the triathlon wetsuits:
Keep warm
Cold water and low temperatures will exacerbate the anxiety felt by many athletes during competitions. Triathlon wetsuit act as an extra layer of skin and protection, which provided a degree of warmth. When you enter the water, a layer of water is trapped between the body and the wetsuit. As you swim, it acts as an insulator and keep you warm.
Speed assistance
Every second counts in a triathlon race. Having the right wetsuit means saving more of those important seconds. The buoyancy and freedom of movement are helpful to speed up. The material neoprene foam used to make triathlon wetsuit is naturally buoyant, which help to swim faster.
Flexibility
A combination of different thickness and material is used for the triathlon, which to ensure that the swim in them feels as close to “natural swimming”. Flexibility is an important thing here: the more freely you rotate your arms and shoulders, the less fatigue you feel.
Multiple tests have shown that full sleeve wetsuits are generally quicker. This is mainly down to the extra buoyancy that having sleeves adds. Having a full sleeve also adds a little more warmth, essential if you are competing in cold open water.
The right full sleeve wetsuit will not hamper your flexibility. Triathlon wetsuits are designed specifically to ensure you have the range of movement you need.
Having greater shoulder mobility is the key reason some triathletes prefer sleeveless wetsuits. However technology has greatly improved in the last decade or so with manufacturers designing wetsuits to a level where the full sleeve doesn’t impact the motion as much as it once did. Even so, the feel of more freedom is attractive to a small contingent of swimmers.
After we have a certain understanding of the function and styles of clothes, we also need to consider the following two points when we choose the triathlon wetsuits.
Thickness
Generally, triathlon wetsuits are made by different thickness of neoprene foam to achieve a perfect balance.
High-end triathlon wetsuits tend to be thinner and more flexible because they are designed with more elite athletes in mind. Entry-level triathlon wetsuits will typically provide greater warmth and buoyancy, but less flexibility.
A good fit
When a wetsuit is too tight, you will not have the range of mobility you need to swim effectively. If a wetsuit is too loose, it will allow too much water in, which increase drag. A wetsuit should be snug but never so tight that it’s hard to move or breathe. Always try on a wetsuit before you buy to ensure you’re picking the correct size.
