2008 Online Buyer's Guide: Swim
HOT RUBBER
2XU V:1 Velocity, $575
If you’re looking for the fastest wetsuit out there with features that at once enhance both comfort and speed, look no further. The V:1 Velocity utilizes all the great features of the original E:1 Elite, such as the rollbar to stabilize hip roll and 1.5mm 40 Cell neoprene in the underarm/lateral panel. However, what really sets this suit apart is the brand new Aquatic Membrane in the lower arm—a neutral buoyancy material. Your forearm will no longer fight the buoyancy of neoprene. Additionally, the feel for the water is enhanced during the catch phase of the stroke, making the suit truly feel like your second skin. These features, coupled with a lowered neck seem and invisible zipper, will get you excited to train in the open water this season. http://www.2xu.com
XTERRA Wetsuits Vector Pro X2 Long John, $350
While most top-tier wetsuits are full-sleeve design, the value of a long john cannot be overlooked. The water is sometimes too warm to warrant a full-sleeve suit. Plus, some seasoned swimmers still like the feel of complete arm freedom. The Vector Pro X2 delivers top-tier comfort and speed in a long john package. The suit’s standout features include the Flex-span inner liner of the full version along with the loc flex collar. The cut and flexibility of the arm cutouts will not let an ounce of water into the suit—and still won’t feel constricting around the pectoral and lat muscles. http://www.xterrawetsuits.com
Quintana Roo Superfull, $500
Since 1987, Quintana Roo has made wetsuits that are industry leaders, innovative and, most importantly, reliable. The breakaway zipper ensures that taking off your wetsuit in transition will be a speedy and easy task. One of the revolutionary additions is the multilayer technology of SCS Nanoskin neoprene, which in the end reduces water drag. Overall, Quintana Roo continues to deliver an extremely flexible and reliable suit. http://www.rooworld.com
Nineteen Pipeline, $240
When value for your money is of prime concern, the Nineteen Pipeline is here to deliver. It’s amazing that an entry-level suit can include so many great features and fit like a top-tier model. The Pipeline utilizes varying neoprene thickness to enhance float in key areas as well as stretch-silk gussets in the shoulder area to maximize flexibility. Further value is added with a five-year warranty, proving Nineteen really stands behind its products. If you’re just getting into the sport or are simply looking to stretch your dollar, you can’t go wrong with the Pipeline. http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
Rocket Science Sports Rocket, $500
A new player to the wetsuit world is Rocket Science Sports. Overall, the Rocket comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a top-tier suit. The designers really took their time to incorporate a proper cut that fits properly while you’re actually swimming, not just when you’re standing on dry land. The lowered neckline adjusts to your breathing motion and the seamless design decreases the chances of tearing and chafing. An industry first is the Vortex Generators, small fins located on the lower back, to reduce pressure drag. While this hydrodynamic advantage might be minimal, in the race against the clock, every second counts. http://www.rocketsciencesports.com
HOT SPEED
blue seventy pointzero3, $200
Blue seventy’s pointzero3 is modeled after the company’s very popular Helix wetsuit. One of the features that really set this suit apart is the double hoop of high-stretch, Lycra material around the arms and back. These Lycra bands work to “float” the arm during the stroke, thereby decreasing normal pulling that occurs against a non-flexible material. The surface of the suit has an SCS coating, which reduces the drag coefficient to 0.032. For the athlete, that correlates to a drag coefficient 50 times lower than skin. http://www.blueseventy.com
Zoot Sports ULTRA SpeedZoot, $200
When the Zoot Sports engineers sat down to design their speed suit, one of the key areas of importance was fit and lightweight. Similar to other speed suits is the Yamamoto SCS coating, which improves hydrodynamics. However, one of the key components that distinguishes the ULTRA SpeedZoot from the competition is Zoot’s TekSheen, a lightweight performance mesh that is flexible yet maintains muscle stabilization. The suit is topped off with Dynamic X panels and BIOwrap construction to maintain that perfect fit. http://www.zootsports.com
Speedo Fastskin FSII Trisuit, $260
Triathletes can now take advantage of Speedo’s Fastskin technology in a suit that’s designed for the open water. The FSII is a hybrid of two specialized fabrics, Fastskin and Flexskin. The Fastskin fabric resembles rough shark denticles that change water flow at key areas to reduce drag. Completing the suit is the Flexskin and Speedo’s unique stitching to provide an overall fit that reduces muscle vibration. This suit is truly the leader when it comes to drag reduction but does not utilize the thin neoprene like its competition. If you’re searching for a suit that is slick in the water and can be worn across the finish line, then look no further than the FS II. http://www.speedousa.com
2XU Kona Fusion Speed Suit, $295
The 2XU Kona Fusion Speed Suit is the perfect solution to gain an advantage in warm-temperature swims. While the front neoprene panel provides buoyancy, the back panels utilize 2XU’s Hydrocell, a silicone coated fabric so hydrophobic that no water will be able to penetrate from the outside. This seamless suit is constructed with no stitching or pad, minimizing any potential chafing. The added buoyancy is sure to maximize stroke efficiency and gain those valuable seconds. In a non-wetsuit swim, the advantage of the 2XU Kona is too great to overlook. http://www.2xu.com
HOT SPECS
TYR Racetech Metallized, $17
TYR got things right when it created the Racetech goggle. The company’s number-one selling model has wide-angle anti-fog lenses, split latex head strap and watertight thermoplastic Thermo Plastic Rubber (TPR) gaskets. Best of all is the adjustability and simplicity. If something should go wrong minutes before the start horn, don’t panic, these specs are easy to fix on the fly. For those athletes looking for a functional goggle with a little more comfort than a hard-plastic seal, look no further than the TYR Racetech Metallized. http://www.tyr.com
Monterbara Swedish Goggle, $5
To say this goggle is a classic would be a gross understatement. Watch any Olympic or World Cup triathlon and you’re bound to see the majority of the field in this unrivaled goggle. The comfort is based on shape not padding, so this classic is not for everyone. But for those faces they do fit, Monterbara delivers the most adjustable, easily fixable, anti-fog leak-proof goggle on the market—and it’s been this way for over three decades. The goggles are available in multiple colors and for $13, Monterbara offers a metallic version for those sunny race days.
Barracuda Triton, $22
For those triathletes with larger eye sockets who seem to have trouble finding a pair of goggles that sit right, the Barracuda Triton is your answer. With fire frame technology, this goggle sits on the bone structure to provide a proper fit that is leak free. Never panic again about being kicked in the face during that open-water swim start.
blue seventy Vision, $20
Blue seventy might be known for its wetsuits but the company certainly made a splash with the Vision goggle. Not only does the Vision come in two sizes to accommodate differently shaped eye sockets, but also a wide variety of tints to accommodate all race conditions. The nosepiece is solid yet extremely pliable and form fitting as opposed to some brittle and flimsy nose bridges. Overall, you’re looking at the best new goggle on the market. http://www.blueseventy.com
Finis Thunder, $14
This low-profile goggle is ideally suited to racing, yet the soft gasket will provide enough comfort for training sessions. The nosepiece comes with three different widths to allow for adequate adjustability. However, in the end, the extra pieces are easy to lose and hard to replace when traveling. If you don’t mind the extra pieces, the Thunder is one of the more affordable “mirrored” goggles on the market. http://www.finisinc.com
HOT STUFF
[nid:70067]Peaceful Mountain Tendon Rescue, $14
Swimmer’s shoulder and chronic neck pain are all common symptoms of pushing the boundaries in the pool. Now there is an alternative to simply masking the pain with traditional topical creams. The herbs in Tendon Rescue have been used to repair damaged tendons, ligaments and soft tissues and increase circulation. This water-based gel absorbs quickly into the affected region, is non-greasy and unscented, and will not stain clothes. http://www.peacefulmountain.com/
Strokemakers Paddles, $13-19
Drop in on any swim team or Masters’ practice and you’re bound to see 10 different types of hand paddles lining the deck. Some look like garbage can lids while others are more space age. So which one is best for your needs? Well, when it comes to paddles, the motto “simple is better” holds true, and the Strokemakers are just that, designed to improve your stroke by exaggerating the motion of both a correct and incorrect movement. The flow-through holes improve feel for the water and limit shoulder stress while the natural hand shape provides proper resistance for a strength workout. Next time you’re shopping for hand paddles, remember that sometimes, older technology really is the best! http://www.strokemakers.com
