First Time Triathletes and Using a Wetsuit by Triathlon Wetsuit Store

A majority of triathlons allow for use of a wetsuit, as long as the water temperature is not too warm.  In many races, 80% or more of racers will be wearing a wetsuit, making it almost as core a piece of equipment as the bike or your running shoes.  Getting the hang of using triathlon wetsuits takes a little practice, but once you become comfortable in one, it can soon become second nature to use one when in the water.  Since using a wetsuit might be a new experience for many, here are some tips on buying and using a wetsuit.

Temperature

The first thing to consider is if you can and want to use a wetsuit at all.  Water temps below 21 degrees C or 70 degrees F often make wetsuits a good choice, as they will keep you warmer in the water and those water temperatures can be bone-chilling during the swim.  Up to temperatures of about 26 degree C or 78 degree F, wetsuits can still be very useful.  Above that, they may actually be too warm as you could overheat in the water.  

Buoyancy

In addition to warmth, the second major benefit is that a wetsuit will help your buoyancy in the water.  It essentially operates a bit like a life jacket and helps your entire body float more easily.  This buoyancy can provide both a performance edge as well as mental piece of mind.  If you are worried about an open water swim or unsure of what your first race will be like, a wetsuit may be a good choice for the security it provides.  Among all the pieces of triathlon gear that you could potentially buy, a wetsuit is right up there with a bike helmet in terms of the safety benefits it can provide.

Buy, Rent, or Borrow.

If you have decided you need a wetsuit, the next question is how to get one.  You generally have three options:  Buy, Rent, or Borrow.  Buying a wetsuit comes with a cost but may be worth it if you plan to do future races or open water swims.  A good wetsuit should last for several seasons if taken care of well and not used in chlorine.  Renting a wetsuit can be a good alternative if you want to use a high quality suit without making the upfront investment, and if you are not sure if racing will become a regular event for you.  You can always borrow a wetsuit, which will be the lowest-cost way to go.  Wetsuits need to fit you perfectly, though, so don't settle for one that is a little big or small.  In general, buying a wetsuit can be the best long-term option.

Sizing

Wetsuit sizing is very important, and something that you should make sure you get right.  Many people tend to try to find a wetsuit that gives them some room to move around in, but triathlon wetsuits need to be snug.  Part of the engineering of a wetsuit assumes it will fit snugly to your body.  Find a wetsuit that fits you snug, but is not so tight as to cut of circulation or inhibit range of motion (although it is common to have some slight pressure on the shoulders during the swim stroke).  The more you spend on a wetsuit, the more range of motion you typically will have - the expensive ones have incredible paneling to give any movement points more flex.  Don't worry about the long legs or arms being too long, as these can be folded back or even carefully trimmed (if you own the wetsuit).

Getting it on

Finding a wetsuit is only half of the equation - using it is the other.  When putting your wetsuit on for the first time, do it slowly and carefully.  Remember that the neoprene on a triathlon wetsuit can scratch and tear, so be gentle with the suit as you pull it on.  Pull on your wetsuit while it and you are both dry, and make sure your feet can slip through the tight leg holes with ease and that your toenails do not puncture the neoprene.  Some easy ways to make a wetsuit slide on better are to put two plastic bags over your feet, or simply leave your socks on while you pull the suit on.  Some racers will rub body glide on their wrists and ankles before the race in order to make the on-and-off process a little easier.  Once your limbs are in the wetsuit, you can then zip it up or have someone zip it up for you.  With the zipper in the back, zipping can sometimes be a little tricky to it is great to have help.

Getting it off

Once you are done with the swim leg, most racers begin to unzip the suit while they are running out of the water.  By the time you get to your transition area, the suit should be peeled down to your waist.  At that time, you can finish pulling it off by pulling your legs out.  This is aided by stepping on each leg and pulling the other out.  Be sure to put your wetsuit out of the way of your gear (remember, it will drip dry on whatever it is near) and out of the way of other racers.  You are then ready to jump on the bike.

Post- race

Post- race, clean the wetsuit by rinsing with water, and hang it to dry slowly.  Keep it out of the sun, and remember to never use it in a chlorinated pool when you are practicing.  At the end of each season, you can use special neoprene shampoo to perform a deep clean, which can extend the life of the suit.  Store it in a place where it won't get cut by anything, and you'll be all ready for the next season.