Triathlon - Wetsuit Information Needed

After spending the past couple of days reviewing old threads, I still have some questions. I have a 1/2 IM race coming up in Colorado where I will need a wetsuit. I've been able to get away w/not having one; however, the water temps are expected to be 60 degrees. Here's the big problem...I live in a tiny Nebraska town. We have no scuba shops and a small bike shop. No wetsuits to try on or rent. I'm not inclined to rent anyway, as I want to own a wetsuit. The closest place to try one on is in Lincoln-3 hrs away. I will probably end up buying online.

The other issue is I'm a former wrestler (not the WWF type!!) so I'm not built for the basic sizes. My shoulders are big and so are my legs, except I'm short. I'm 5-6 and weigh 165, so I've found the size charts have me in 2 ranges. One range will fit my height, but not the weight. The other range will fit my weight but be a little too tall.

By reading some of the threads, I noticed the following and was hoping you guys could provide feedback:
1. Someone said Orca wetsuits don't fit big upperbodies well. Is this true?
2. Should I fit for weight or height?
3. Could you give me the brand of wetsuit you wear/have worn, the price, and how you liked it?
4. Give me any info you've heard/read about the brands, good or bad.

I've found alot of different brands online and know some of you have had suits made for you. I may have to do this. I also may have to suck it up and drive to Lincoln to try one on. Any info is appreciated.

I think you should definitely make the trip out to the shop so you can try the wetsuit on. With the price of wetsuits and different fittings they have its worth trying it on.

I got mine from wetsuit.com Very helpfull. I had a question on size and talked with them on the phone after taking more measurements. I fit a standard size. 10 years ago they only had s, m, and l. Now they offer many standard sizes. They also offer custom suits for a very small fee (about $25 I think). My friend ordered a custom and was very happy with it.

If they are having an expo at the race and will be selling wetsuits I would suggest buying one there. Of course this may be a little risky if you have never raced in or wore a wetsuit before.

Good Luck :)

Jim

give trisports.com a try i just ordered a QR from them. give them a call, tell them your weight, size, etc. and they'll make a suggestion. they are very helpful. if the wetsuit doesn't fit, you can exchange it - you can even try the wetsuit in a pool (no salt water, but that shouldn't be a problem where you are) and they'll still take it back.

for what it's worth, i have a wide chest and found the orca restrictive (i went to a local tri shop to try it on). the aquaman metal cell felt really good but i didn't want to schuck out that much money for a wetsuit.

hope that helps.

Which 1/2 IM Tri in Colorado.....5430??
Fleet Feet in Boulder rented wet suits in the past - you may want to go that route first....try before you buy. You will need to reserve you suit for the event way ahead of time. They had Ironman wet suits when I rented before which made me deside.

Harvest Moon 1/2 in Aurora. http://www.racingunderground.com/harvestmoon.html

wetsuitrental.com you can rent with option to buy. they mail the wetsuit to you and will do so a little early so you can try it out. i have know the owner of the company for a few years and he is a nice guy. he runs a very large triathlon club (lots of guinea pigs) so he may know what size you would need. the suits are xterra and i have just moved on to my second one.

One thing to remember about rental wetsuits...

There are two kinds of people. Those who pee in their wetsuits and those who lie and say that they don't pee in their wetsuits...

I'm just sayin'

One thing to remember about rental wetsuits...

There are two kinds of people. Those who pee in their wetsuits and those who lie and say that they don't pee in their wetsuits...

I'm just sayin'

Hey, its ok as long as right away you pull the wetsuit out(like strech it away from your body). that will force more water into the suit, making the water in the suit(avec the pee) leave. This is notonly more sanitary, but for those of you that do this in your own suit. The acids in urine will rot neopreme, trust me, when I was young(10-13) i destroyed my waterskiing suit this way.

[/QUOTE]Hey, its ok as long as right away you pull the wetsuit out(like strech it away from your body). that will force more water into the suit, making the water in the suit(avec the pee) leave[QUOTE]

guess that's fine unless u are the swimmer directly behind. Think about that the next time u are in a race and get a mouth full of water

guess that's fine unless u are the swimmer directly behind. Think about that the next time u are in a race and get a mouth full of water

Well, there is a dammed good chance that the urine is cleaner then the water you are in.....:eek:

I have an Ironman Wetsuit. Love it! ...but I've never really worn it ....


If you know definitely that they have various wetsuits in Lincoln, I would say that it would be worth it to dive there and try on a few.

Otherwise, like the others have said, call the online store that you would like to buy from and get some helpful advice on sizing.

Good luck.

Ona similar note does anyone know where I can rent a tri. wetsuit. I live in the Ca. bay area if that helps.

Check with your local multi sport or cycling stores. They would be your best bet. Or check out the race you are going to. There is usually a multisport store that is a sponsor, and will have a booth set up. Alot of the time you can rent from them.

I dont know the area at all...so try google, see what you come up with.

These guys are in Sacramento. They also have a rental program by mail if you don't want to make the drive.

http://www.totaltri.com/rental.html