Triathlon - Wetsuit rental vs purchase

So Im new to Tri's, and unsure how much a wetsuit will help, as I am a pretty lousy swimmer. I dont think the temperature will be much of an issue, but if I plan on more Tris, Ill likely eventually find myself doing one requiring a wetsuit for that....

So I understand you can rent a wetsuit, but at the cost of 40-50 bucks at the local one. I figure it may be more cost effective to just bite the bullet and purchase one. Anyone have any suggestions as to types, or direct me to a decent review site? Ebay has quite a few for relatively cheap (Neosport Sprint John Wetsuits), but being 6'3", I am worried about fit.

or should I just forget about it and spend more time training :)

Times I 've rented wetsuits for diving, they smelled like pee. They are not that expensive. Think I'd rather have my own..

Rent versus buy... The question that you have to ask yourself is how likely are you to continue doing triathlon? If you are going to do it seriously you should buy a wetsuit.

Even if you could get by without one, you will be faster in a wetsuit than without. Why? Because it is free buoyancy for your legs which should improve your body position, especially if you are not a good swimmer. Anything longer than a sprint and you'll pick up more time on the swim than it costs to take the suit off.

What should you look for in a wetsuit? Well check out what slowtwitch (http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Characteristics_of_good_triathlon_wetsuits_236.html) has to say.

Great overview from a slowtwitch poster Desert Dude. Here's a link to his blog and review of about 8 wetsuits. He doesn't complete the QR Superfull and it happens to be the one I went with. Absolutely love the suit and it makes a HUGE difference. Renting vs. buying depends on how many races you're doing. I've 8 on my plate with 2 HIM for this season. I'll be doing Coeur d'Alene next year so I bit the bullet and bought a top end suit for comfort and maximum support/buoyancy.
Good luck
--Sax

Great overview from a slowtwitch poster Desert Dude. Here's a link to his blog and review of about 8 wetsuits.

Missing the link. Here is the slowtwitch post (http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=2134928;page=1;mh=-1;;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC) that covers the testing.

IMHO:
You might be able to find a wetsuit on ebay for the cost of renting. I bought a NEW NeoSport Sprint John for $68 shipped and a NEW QRoo Ultrafull for $80 shipped (albeit the off-season). I'll use them for at least 2 or 3 events which will make it considereably less costly than renting. When I'm finished with them, they can then be resold/given to other beginners.
Also, if you own your wetsuit, you can train in it vice swimming in one for the 1st time during an event.

Good luck !!

thanks for the info. Bonehead - I noticed that as well and was considering going with those 'value' ones on ebay but was a little worried about the addage ' you get what you pay for'. How is the NeoSport holding up?

A wetsuit is worth about 6-12 seconds per hundred yards.
So, if you are going to stick with tri's, buy one. Get one that fits of course. I'm partial to QR, but that's just me.
From my viewpoint, wetsuits are for *****s and I don't use one. If I was doing tris, I would be at a competitive disadvantage in all but sprints.

Missing the link. Here is the slowtwitch post (http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=2134928;page=1;mh=-1;;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC) that covers the testing.

Thanks!!

Have a local selling a 2008 orca sonar for 200 new.... and it should be my size according to the sizing.... seems like a good deal, just need to try it on

IMHO:
You might be able to find a wetsuit on ebay for the cost of renting. I bought a NEW NeoSport Sprint John for $68 shipped and a NEW QRoo Ultrafull for $80 shipped (albeit the off-season). I'll use them for at least 2 or 3 events which will make it considereably less costly than renting. When I'm finished with them, they can then be resold/given to other beginners.
Also, if you own your wetsuit, you can train in it vice swimming in one for the 1st time during an event.

Good luck !!

I have rented wetsuits in the past and am considering buying one of these NeoSport wetsuits as well. They are pretty cheap, even now, on ebay and Amazon.

How is yours? I can't find too many reviews out there.

Xterra has a good deal on their wetsuits. I just a brand new 2009 for $150.

Everyone seems to have some sound advice. My 2 cents, get to a tri store and try on a suit to get the best fit. If you buy it there or not, it's up to you. Don't get a surf suit/scuba suit. I did a few tris in a $100 surf suit, NO arm mobility and a terrible experience. I did not know better until I got a BlueSeventy Helix, and OMG It just pulls me along through the water. Amazing.

Now, they are EXPENSIVE so make sure you wanna stick with the sport. Maybe rent one to see if you like it, some places may offer you a credit on the rent price if you later buy one. Or yeah, get one from someone used if you can, just check for any holes or cuts. Tri wet suits tear easily, much more so than a surf or scuba suit. Trim your fingernails!!

Ha, also, probably everyone who has rented the suit you rent will have peed in, so if you're grossed out with that, a rental (or used one) may not be for you. Then again, there's probably a lot of gross stuff in the water in general.

Good luck!

thanks for the info. Bonehead - I noticed that as well and was considering going with those 'value' ones on ebay but was a little worried about the addage ' you get what you pay for'. How is the NeoSport holding up?


Currently, most of my swimming is in the pool. I've used the NeoSport Sprint John for 1 OWS & it was a definate plus. I look at it this way, the cost of 2 rentals is about $80 ($40 each). If I use the wetsuit for 2 events and it falls apart, I'm at least break even! I sure it will last for many more than 2 events....


Everyone seems to have some sound advice. My 2 cents, get to a tri store and try on a suit to get the best fit. If you buy it there or not, it's up to you. Don't get a surf suit/scuba suit. I did a few tris in a $100 surf suit, NO arm mobility and a terrible experience. I did not know better until I got a BlueSeventy Helix, and OMG It just pulls me along through the water. Amazing.

Now, they are EXPENSIVE so make sure you wanna stick with the sport. Maybe rent one to see if you like it, some places may offer you a credit on the rent price if you later buy one. Or yeah, get one from someone used if you can, just check for any holes or cuts. Tri wet suits tear easily, much more so than a surf or scuba suit. Trim your fingernails!!

Ha, also, probably everyone who has rented the suit you rent will have peed in, so if you're grossed out with that, a rental (or used one) may not be for you. Then again, there's probably a lot of gross stuff in the water in general.

Good luck!

Big +1..... If you can, try one on of to "pin down" the size. Remember, sizes will vary from mfgr to mfgr.

ended up buying a 07 Blue seventy Energie demo suit from an online vendor for 160 shipped. Tried on quite a few and ended up getting the ML at 6'3" 195# even though I could squeeeeeze into a MT... I figure I wanna get buff or fat in the next few months, ill need the room :)