What is the difference between a triathlon wetsuit and a normal wetsuit?

Wetsuits used for water sports are usually covered by abrasion-resistant Lycra and are not particularly designed for swimming positions. Triathlon wetsuits are designed for flexible swimming positions, making you comfortable especially when your arms are above your head and are pointed forward.

Can you wear a triathlon wetsuit surfing?

The answer is Yes! You can use a triathlon wetsuit for surfing. Be careful when you come in contact with your surfboard or fins, because the outer layer of a Triathlon wetsuit is fragile.

What is wetsuit legal for triathlon?

USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 – 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards.

How thick should a triathlon wetsuit be?

USAT, ITU and WTC (Ironman) have rules restricting the thickness of the wetsuit to no more than 5mm. Most brands will put the thickest rubber on the front torso and legs to give the heaviest areas of your body the most buoyancy. Thinner rubber (1.5-2mm) at the shoulders allows for greater flexibility and arm speed.

Should I wear anything under a wetsuit?

Wearing nothing under your wetsuit is totally acceptable, and a matter of personal preference. However, consider these factors: Chafing: Wetsuits can chafe. Give it a try, and wear a swimsuit if it’s uncomfortable.

Can you wear a shorty wetsuit for a triathlon?

So, in the UK the vast majority of open water swims and triathlon events will allow wetsuit use. You may wear a wetsuit if the temperature is 79 (26°C) degrees to 84 (28.9°C) degrees but you won’t be eligible for awards. Anything 85 (29.5°C) degrees or over, no wetsuits are allowed.

Can you swim in a surfing suit?

How to swim in a wetsuit. So, the answer is yes – you can legally race in a surf wetsuit as long as it’s 5mm in thickness or under, but you might get a bit hot or lose energy with each stroke compared to the race-focused triathlon suit.

Can you wear a swimming wetsuit to surf?

Swimming wetsuits have thicker neoprene over the hips so the body lies higher in the water, reducing drag. Beware of surfing in a swimming wetsuit because it’s not meant to have a wide stance like on a surfboard!

How tight should a wetsuit be?

How Should a Wetsuit Fit? In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves (if full-length) should fall at the wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone, and there should be no gaps, pockets, or rolls of neoprene.

When should you wear a wetsuit in a triathlon?

1. Is race day water temperature cold enough to make it a “Wetsuit Legal” race? Triathletes are allowed to wear a triathlon wetsuit when water temperatures are too cold for a standard swim.

At what water temperature should you wear a wetsuit?

The range of 50 to 78 degrees is therefore the ideal range for using a wetsuit. Any warmer, and the swimmer may actually overheat due to the wetsuit’s insulative qualities. Truth be told, we think it is pretty easy to get too warm inside a wetsuit even in the 74-77 degree range.

How much should I spend on a triathlon wetsuit?

The price range of triathlon wetsuits varies significantly. You could spend anywhere from $50 to $700 or more for something labeled as a triathlon wetsuit.

Do you wear a triathlon suit under wetsuit?

For open water swims, the use of a triathlon wetsuit is usually mandatory. Under the wetsuit you would wear the tri suit or tri top & shorts. You may also need a neoprene skull cap, a pair of swim gloves and pair of booties in really cold conditions.

Is it faster to swim in a wetsuit?

Wetsuits were invented to keep you warm – but they have another positive side effect: they make you faster, too. Tests with and without wetsuits have shown a time saving of five to ten seconds per hundred meters, with wetsuit. Simply put, a full-sleeve suit will help any swimmer go faster.