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How to Buy a Triathlon Wetsuit

   January 27th, 2016   Posted In: How-To   Tags:

How to Buy a Triathlon Wetsuit

Want to know how to buy a triathlon wetsuit? It’s important to remember that a triathlon wetsuit is different than the usual wetsuit. Triathletes know that surf and SCUBA diving wetsuits just don’t cut it for competitive swimming.

Triathlon wetsuits are made out of super buoyant neoprene panels that actually help you float in the water. Tri suits also feature a slick skin exterior that allows you to glide through the water without any friction.

These specialized wetsuits are also cut differently to minimize restriction. The legs are cut above the calf, armpits are wider, and necklines are specially designed to provide the ultimate range of motion. Lastly, all triathlon wetsuits are made out of high grade stretch neoprene to ensure a glove like fit. Are you ready to buy a triathlon wetsuit? Let’s get started!

Triathlon wetsuits are available in Full or Long John styles.

buy a triathlon wetsuit

Fullsuits are warmer and more buoyant, for water temperatures below 60 degrees (depending on your tolerance for cold). Since there is more rubber in a fullsuit, it floats more. If you’re balanced and higher in the water you’ll swim faster. Additionally, fullsuits let less water in at the seals, which reduces weight and drag.

Long Johns or Janes are sleeveless wetsuits designed for water 60 degrees and up. The main advantage of a long john is increased flexibility and mobility due to the sleeveless design. Long John wetsuits also are easier to remove during the transition to your bike.

You also want to consider buoyancy and inner linings when choosing a triathlon wetsuit!

1- Buoyancy Factor:

This is a snapshot of how the wetsuit floats in the water. Adding more buoyancy to the suit makes your swim easier and more efficient.

Good: Buoyancy panel is located on chest
Better: Panel extends from chest to thighs
Best: Panel covers chest to ankles for maximum buoyancy

2- Inner Lining:

The inner lining -or- jersey of a wetsuit directly impacts the flexibility and stretchiness of a wetsuit. More stretch equals more flexibility.

2 Way Stretch: Super stretch material that is twice as stretchy as standard wetsuit neoprene
4 Way Stretch: Super stretch material that is 4 times as stretchy as standard wetsuit neoprene
6 Way Stretch: Super stretch material that is 6 times as stretchy as standard wetsuit neoprene

Please Be Aware.. These feature packed wetsuits cannot be used for any other sporting activities except swimming. The coated neoprene is delicate and will easily puncture if diving or surfing.

Check out our entire selection of triathlon wetsuits! Want to know more about triathlon wetsuits? Watch the video below!

Lauren (LoLo) has been turning words into blog posts for Wetsuit Wearhouse since 2014. She learned to surf for the first time ever in Costa Rica but she gravitates more towards SUP. When she's not scouring the web for travel deals, you can find her either hiking, running, gardening, tending to her animals, or reading a good book outside on a beautiful day.

Latest Posts by Lauren Collison (see all)

7 Comments

  • Al says:

    Hi LoLo / Team,
    I am 59 and overweight. I always snorkel on top of the water and never had a wetsuit. I will be going to the Big Island this Feb and according to what I can find water temp is between 73-78 F and thinking I may need one for this trip – not sure of thickness and suit size. What do you recommend? Is a two piece better for my size?
    Height 66″
    Weight 245 #
    Chest 51″
    Waist 51″
    Hips 47″
    Neck 16″
    Inseam 28.5″

    Thanks,
    Al

  • Laura Lister says:

    Can you advise me? I am 78 years old and find my pool a bit too cold. I would like to purchase a wet suit jacket that is very flexible and easy to swim and do aerobics in. Since swimming helps arthritis, movement is very important. I do not do straight laps, but various exercises worked into a lap. Also – I am overweight so I do not want anything “sexy”.

    What do you think?

    • Crysta Goff says:

      I’m going to send you a private email, Laura. (:

    • John Gross says:

      Hi make sure it has a full zipper they can be hard to get off at your age,you dont want a full suit or a pull over that you may need helping getting on and off,i just checked ebay theres a xxxl camo jacket full zipper,25$bid 15 shipping.looks new.
      And you can use as out of water jacket if its super cold.they really hold heat in shockingly so.
      Because of how hard they are to remove you might want to start with hood gloves and feet.try searchs like neoprine gloves socks hood.jacket check ebay cheap.also thift stores often have wetsuits for like 20$

  • Marco says:

    Hello,

    I read your blog in a quick and non efficient way. I didn’t find the answer I was looking for. I found your views very interesting, points are great too, thank you for your post. It helped me understand a little into what I was looking for. I hope you carry on with your views and different ways of wording your initial subject/subjects. Enjoy reading your book in hot summer days, it’s when you’re most alive in the most ways you can be.

    Regards,
    Marco

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