Some New Year’s Resolutions include those unwanted flab. Hence, people usually go into sports. Others who want to do the extreme go for a triathlon competition.
Triathlon is a sport that puts the athlete’s endurance to the test. It has three categories: swimming, cycling, and running. Like all sports, there are special equipment, gears, and suits that athletes need. One in particular are a triathlon wetsuits.
This modern day wetsuit was invented by Dan Empfield in 1987, customized depending on the needs of the triathlete. Tri wetsuits are very smooth and vulnerable. Even fingernails can puncture them if you are not careful. The surface of the suit is slick to reduce water friction for more efficient swimming. Unfortunately, these wetsuits are only allowed to be used if the water temperature is below the specified requirement on the specific event day.
Things to consider when buying a triathlon wetsuit:
- Thickness of the fabric – the thicker the fabric, the warmer, more buoyant, and inflexible it is.
- Proper fit – this is the most important consideration. However, wetsuit fit is different from how clothes fit. A wetsuit that fits well fits quite tightly that it pulls against the crotch and armpits.
- Seals – these are very important especially when the triathlete will be swimming in very cold water because these, like ankle and wrist seals, prevent cold water from penetrating the wetsuit.
- Ease of Removal – because this garment is worn mainly by those joining triathlon competitions, naturally, one factor to consider is how fast one can get out of the suit. Zippers greatly help, like on the wrist, ankle, and neck. However, zippers do not keep water out that is why some would prefer not to have them at all.
- Wetsuit Layout – flexibility is very important. So some parts of the wetsuit have to thicker or thinner than the rest. Shoulders and arms usually have thinner material than that of the chest and some parts of the legs.
- Warranty – wetsuits can easily get punctured, especially if the coating was not well made. So always check the warranty of the product. A warranty is an assurance on the part of the buyer that the manufacturer will be able to repair the wetsuit if anything untoward happens to it.
- Budget – How much money are you willing to shell out? Tri wetsuits prices can have a price tag of $300 and above.