Tri Vs. Open Water Wetsuits
Are you a triathlete or an open water swimmer? Perhaps you’re both! The answer to this question should dictate which kind of swimming wetsuit is most suitable for you.
Triathlon Wetsuits focus on enhancing your performance, helping you to unlock marginal gains. Open water wetsuits prioritise comfort and durability, for longer swims and frequent usage.
Read on to understand the different features triathlon and open water wetsuits offer to suit different usages.
Buoyancy Profile
Triathlon wetsuits typically provide increased buoyancy around the core and thighs. This helps swimmers (especially those with less than perfect technique) to maintain a horizontal, hydrodynamic body position in the water. This reduces drag, increasing stroke efficiency and speed. It also reduces the need to kick, allowing energy to be conserved for the bike and run. Some wetsuits, such as Zoggs Predator Ultra and Pro, feature Aerodome panels on the chest to further enhance buoyancy.
Less common are triathlon wetsuits with a neutral buoyancy profile. This means the thickness of neoprene is similar throughout the suit, therefore creating an even level of buoyancy across the body. A neutral buoyancy suit might be favoured by those that that do not require assistance maintaining a horizontal body position and find additional buoyancy to cause them to become ‘over buoyant’. Zoggs Hypex wetsuits feature a neutral buoyancy profile.
Open water wetsuits, such as Zoggs Explorer Ultra, also feature a neutral buoyancy profile. Where energy conservation for the next two legs of a triathlon is not a factor, buoyant leg support is not required.
Triathlon wetsuits generally offer enhanced flexibility around the shoulders to allow for a totally unrestricted stroke. This increases efficiency and reduces fatigue. Zoggs Predator and Hypex wetsuits both achieve this by using 1.5mm Yamamoto neoprene underneath the arms. Hypex wetsuits utilise a unique ‘Hypex’ construction which features elongated neoprene panels underneath the arms for superior range of motion.
Open water wetsuits also prioritise flexibility, but feature additional focus on durability. The Explorer Ultra features 1.5mm Double Face neoprene under the arms which offers slightly less flexibility (compared to Yamamoto) but but provides enhanced resilience for more rigorous use.
Neoprene Grade
Yamamoto neoprene is the highest quality neoprene from which swimming wetsuits are made. It provides a second-skin fit, superior flexibility and excellent heat insulation. Top end triathlon wetsuits such as the Predator or Hypex Ultra use Yamamoto 40, the most flexible grade of Yamamoto neoprene available.
Open Water Wetsuits, such as the Explorer Ultra use a combination of Yamamoto 38 and Double Face neoprene. This means they are marginally less elastic but offer greater resilience and are well-suited for frequent or extended use.
Technical Features
Triathlon wetsuits feature Quick Transition Cuffs, a soft, stretchy material on the arm and leg cuffs for a quick and easy exit.
Such a feature is not required on open water wetsuits where a transition to the bike is not required. Instead, often more durable neoprene is featured on the leg cuffs to prevent damage when putting on or taking off the wetsuit. As featured by the Explorer range, open water wetsuits may also feature a lower crew neck which sacrifices minor hydrodynamics for substantially increased comfort.
Which wetsuit should you choose?
Choose a Predator wetsuit if:
You are a triathlete
You are undertaking a long-distance triathlon
You require additional buoyancy
Choose a Hypex wetsuit if:
You are both a triathlete and open water swimmer
You are undertaking a short or medium distance triathlon
You don’t require additional buoyancy
Choose an Explorer wetsuit if:
You are an open water swimmer
You use your wetsuit multiple times a week
You don’t require additional buoyancy
Hopefully this guide has helped you identify the wetsuit best suited for your swim. Explore Zoggs range of wetsuits to find the perfect wetsuit for all your open water adventures.
