What wetsuit?

[garnett]

Hi there.

I'm a complete triathlon novice, and it looks like I need to get a wetsuit.

I've had a quick look at hiring, but I reckon it's important to get used to the suit in plenty of time for the race.

I'm not looking for anything amazing, just something that will be comfortable.

Can people recommend good makes (Orca, and Quintana Roo seem to keep popping up) and can anyone tell me whether tecknology has moved on much in the last few years, or whether a secondhand wetsuit is a good idea.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[andys]

It's important to get one that fits. Some will fit you well while other won't, each has a slightly different cut to them and it's really hard to advise which will fit you best. My advice is to get to a shop that stocks several makes, try a few on and take the shop keepers advice. There are other issues to consider, like your natural buoyancy, but without having used a wetsuit before it's hard to say anything about that. There's buoyancy advice on the Snugg website (probably found easily though Google).

They should feel quite tight when on, without any baggy areas. Really like a 2nd skin.

[hubby74]

For your first suit then either Hire or buy an ex hire suit from one of the big tri retailers. Tri-uk, sigma and Tri and Run for example. Will cost you £50 and is a much better idea than buying. I bought a £200 predator and by half way through thte season I realised it didn't fit me properly and in fact is a hinderance, but because it's a decent suit then I haven't been able to justify replacing it.

[flipper]

First as above what the others have said. So its Fit and Comfort are most important.
Are you going to carry on doing tri? If yes it may be worth going for a better suit, Why? because they offer better flex especially on the arm/shoulder area which also uses less energy apart from nearer normal stroke technique. Buoyancy also needs to be considered, are you a heavy leg sinker or a established swimmer?
Is it going to last? Not always here are the best suit an improvement on some of the "heavy" cheaper rubber ones.
Brand really does not matter if it does what you require in fit and comfort.
So saying all of this I have tried quite a few over the years and todays suits are far better in flex etc than even a few years ago so second hand..hmmmmm???
My favorite is the Helix by Blue Seventy expensive but almost perfect. Just have a look round first and or hire one or beg and borrow before deciding.

[garnett]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will try some on. I see that Triuk are offering a few ex-hire suits:

EX HIRE QUANTUM
£49.99

EX HIRE LONG JOHN
£39.99

EX HIRE QUANTUM2 WETSUIT
£100.00

By the sounds of things it's best to go for what you can afford, and £100 would be towards my maximunm. Would the Quantum 2 be a good bet?