If you look this hot in a wetsuit, then you know you’ve got the right one.

If you don’t already have a wetsuit or you’re looking to upgrade, the best thing to do is visit Jen Elson or go to the Sports Basement and try one out. You won’t need a wetsuit for a little while still so no rush.

Good brands:

• Blue Seventy
• Orca
• Quintana Roo

Your main decision points will be around price and sleeveless vs. full sleeve wet suits. $200-$300 is about what you’re looking at for a good tri wetsuit.

Most important thing about wetsuit is getting the right fit.

See more for wetsuit care.

Keith Simmons, is the founder and chief wetsuit designer of XTERRA Wetsuits, based in San Diego, CA.

TRIATHLON WETSUITS are designed for maximum buoyancy, maximum flexibility and maximum speed through water. They are also designed to support the swimmer’s body in the correct horizontal swimming position.

Let’s face it, proper care is the most basic, yet most crucial element to maximizing performance and longevity of your high-performance triathlon wetsuit.

Care Instructions

1. TRIATHLON WETSUITS can be used in all open water conditions. We discourage the use of your wetsuit in a chlorinated swimming pool. Over extended time, chlorine could damage the seams of your wetsuit and void the Warranty.
2. Rinse with fresh water after each use. Be sure to rinse both inside and outside thoroughly.
3. Air dry after rinsing (avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight). Lay wetsuit on a flat surface or hang to dry. The wetsuit will dry fastest when hung over a clothesline to dry. Do not dry wetsuit in a drying machine designed for clothing.
   1. Lay on flat surface.

i. Flip to allow both sides to dry.

ii. Turn inside-out after one hour to decrease total drying duration.

1. 1. Hang to dry.

i. Avoid thin hangers that increase stress to the shoulder panels.

ii. Hang over clothesline for best results.

iii. Turn inside-out after one hour to decrease total drying duration.

1. We suggest washing the wetsuit after every other use with wetsuit shampoo.

1. 1. 1. To preserve the life of the wetsuit, always store your wetsuit lying flat in a temperate place. If hanging is necessary, use a thick, anatomical, plastic hanger. Be sure to fold legs up and drape over the shoulders of the suit. This will reduce stress to the shoulder panels and extend the life of your wetsuit.
      2. If you must fold the wetsuit for traveling purposes, fold as stated below:
         1. Fold legs up (ankles to shoulders)
         2. Fold arms across in X motion
         3. Mid-section folds up to shoulders

Part 2: Application (Getting into the wetsuit)

As most athletes will testify, the most difficult task associated with a neoprene wetsuit is putting the wetsuit on. With practice and a few helpful hints, getting into your WETSUIT can be made a simple routine procedure.

CAUTION: Sharp objects can penetrate the rubber of your high-performance WETSUIT. Long fingernails and other sharp objects could make small cuts in the surface of your wetsuit if caution is not exercised. These small cuts are not covered under the manufacturer’s Warranty and are the responsibility of the owner. When applying a wetsuit, it is best to clip fingernails and/or be especially aware of your nails.

Preparation

· A clean and dry wetsuit will go on with less difficulty. Although it can be necessary to get back into your WETSUIT before it is completely dry, a clean and dry wetsuit is easiest to manage.

· A clean and dry body will get into a wetsuit with less difficulty. Small amounts of baby powder can increase the dryness factor of your skin. Combining a clean, dry wetsuit with a clean, dry body will increase ease of entry.

· A plastic bag can increase ease of entry. Insert hands and feet into a plastic bag before entering your WETSUIT. Remove plastic bag once appendage has passed through the cuff of the wetsuit. Using a plastic bag will increase ease of entry into your WETSUIT (even if the wetsuit is still wet).

Step 1: Prepare WETSUIT for Application

· Release Velcro closure of the collar.

· Open the back of the wetsuit by unzipping the zipper.

· Fold down the upper body portion of the WETSUIT as if you are turning the wetsuit inside-out. The top half of the wetsuit is now inside-out (arms remain right-side-out). The WETSUIT logo on the inside of the chest panel now faces outward and appears right-side-up.

Step 2: Apply Legs

*Note: Plastic bag will increase ease of entry. It is not necessary for application.

· Place one foot into a plastic bag.

· With the zipper in the back and the WETSUIT logo in the front, slide foot with plastic bag covering through the correct leg of the WETSUIT.

· Pull the leg of the wetsuit about 2-4 inches above your ankle.

· Remove plastic bag.

· Repeat process for second leg.

Step 3: Pull WETSUIT Up to Waist

· Once both legs are applied correctly, carefully pull wetsuit up around your waist.

· Your WETSUIT should fit like a second skin.

· Be sure no excess neoprene remains below your waist.

· If you experience a baggy fit at this time, continue to carefully ease material up toward your waist until there is no excess material below your waist.

Step 4: Apply Arms (Fullsuit Version)

*Note: Plastic bag will increase ease of entry. It is not necessary for application.

· Pull wetsuit up so the upper body of the suit is no longer inside-out.

· Place one hand into a plastic bag.

· Slide hand with plastic bag covering through the correct arm of the WETSUIT.

· Pull the cuff of the wetsuit sleeve about 1-2 inches above the wrist.

· Repeat process for second arm.

**Note: To maximize range of motion and comfort in the water, it will be important to take your time fitting the arms. Point your arms to the sky and start working the wetsuit material towards your shoulder. The wetsuit fit is correct when there is no gap between the wetsuit and your arm pit. Excess rubber should reside above the shoulder. Repeat for both arms.

Step 4: Apply Arms (Longjohn Version)

· Pull wetsuit up so the upper body of the suit is no longer inside-out.

· Insert one arm through the correct arm opening.

· Insert second arm through the correct arm opening.

Step 5: Close zipper

*Note: When closing the zipper, exercise caution and proper use to avoid unnecessary stress to the zipper that could lead to damage. If the arms of your WETSUIT have been applied properly, this operation can be performed without assistance.

· Reach behind to the base of the zipper.

· Using one hand, grasp the base of the zipper.

· Using the other hand, grasp the lanyard attached to the zipper.

· Pull lanyard upward until the zipper reaches the end of the zipper track.

· Ask for assistance if necessary.

Step 6: WETSUITS Flex Collar Closure

· Using both hands, ensure that the Velcro closure of the Collar closure seals the collar with a flush connection.

· The collar closure can be made tight or loose to maximize comfort and minimize water intake.

· Ask for assistance if necessary.

Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming an WETSUITS PRO! With a little practice, proper application of your WETSUITS high-performance triathlon wetsuit will become second-nature.

Part 3: Peeling (Removal of the WETSUIT)

When time is of the essence, it is important for the athlete and his or her equipment to be equally fast. WETSUITS are designed for quick removal. As many experienced triathletes will testify, time efficient wetsuit removal will promote quick transition times at T1. When athletes need to get out of the WETSUIT and onto a bike, the following steps will help.

*Note: The key to a quick transition is being relaxed and using controlled movements while removing the wetsuit. Excessive force will only slow this process.

Step 1: Release closure

· Using your left hand, reach behind your neck and grasp the Velcro tab of the closure.

· With one firm, smooth motion, open the closure.

· Continue to grasp the closure with your left hand.

Step 2: Open Zipper

· Ensure a firm grip of the closure with your left hand.

· Using your right hand, reach behind your back and grasp the lanyard attached to the Zipper.

· With one firm, smooth motion, pull the lanyard downward until the Zipper reaches the bottom of the zipper track.

Step 3: Remove Arms

*Note: If performed properly, each arm will exit the wetsuit in one smooth motion.

· Begin to remove your WETSUIT by exposing both shoulders.

· With one hand, reach across the chest and grasp the top of the zipper track that is now located directly in front of the opposite shoulder.

· Take a deep breath.

· With one fluid motion (all three actions must be performed in unison):

o Exhale.

o Pull down and across with the hand that is stretched across your chest and is currently grasping the top of the opposite zipper track.

o Leading with the elbow, pull up and away with the arm which you desire to remove from your WETSUIT.

· Repeat this process to remove the second sleeve.

**Note: Should the cuff of your WETSUIT sleeve catch at your wrist:

· Using your free hand, slide your thumb under the cuff on the inner side of your wrist.

· Using your thumb as lever, slide the cuff of your WETSUIT’S sleeve over your hand

***Note: This entire process can be completed while you are exiting the water and finding your bike in transition. Your wetsuit should be rolled down and hanging off your waist by the time you reach your bike rack.

Step 4: Remove Legs

· Now that both arms have been removed and the upper half of your WETSUIT hangs down around your waist, grasp the suit with both hands and pull the wetsuit down and off your body.

· WETSUITS roll off the body very quickly when wet.

*Note: Should the ankle cuff your WETSUIT catch at the ankles:

· Insert both thumbs under the neoprene (one on each side of your leg or ankle).

· Push downward and slide the lower portion of the wetsuit leg over your ankle.

· Repeat for second leg.

**Note: Do not use opposite legs to take off the wetsuit. Standing on your WETSUIT could cause pavement, sand, or any other surface to puncture the wetsuit.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 9:29 am and is filed under 2008, Gear . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.