Wetsuits - sleeveless or fullsuit?

[woowoo]

This is my next item to "tackle" on my summer triathlon list.  I will have one sprint tri in colder water, but my half IM will be in Lake Michigan, and temps shouldn't be too bad in August. 

What is your preference and why? 

I'm leaning towards just getting a sleeveless because I prefer the movement, but am worried I'll regret making that investment if I continue on to do a full IM. 

Thanks!

[mrs.jacinthe]

A majority of triathletes here prefer the full sleeve because of our water temps. (Tahoe never really gets "warm" per se.) However, my personal preference would be for a sleeveless. I had to wear a sleeved wetsuit for IMLT last year and I did not like it at all. I felt very constricted in the shoulders.

[kams]

I love my sleeveless xterra. I got it 60% off - I'm pretty sure they are on major sale for 80% of the year.

The water here just doesn't get cold enough for me to justify full sleeves, and the only time I've tried sleeves I felt constricted (which I know means it's not a perfect fit, but I just didn't like it). I also tend to run hot, so less is usually more for me personally.

I would see if you can try sleeved and sleeveless on. Xterra, and I'm sure other companies, has an awesome return policy so that you can see what works best for you. And, unless you've got your eye on a cold water full, I wouldn't put too much stock into the temp of a potential race...my full will likely be too warm for a wetsuit at all, but I don't think my sleeveless is a waste.

[Susie]

My personal preference is no wetsuit. Don't own one, don't want one. I prefer total shoulder freedom (and fast T1s!), and don't need extra buoyancy.

Most of my friends - all of them actually, I think - choose sleeveless. They're too expensive to want to own two of, and there are so few races that are actually cold enough here for sleeves that it's more versatile/useful to own sleeveless. You'd overheat in sleeves by August here, maybe July. Plus, sleeves are super constricting and make it hard to feel the water on your forearms (an important part of your pull!).

To give some objective measures: I go without down to about 60*. I just avoid races with water colder than that. I think my HIM last June (near Boston) was in 63-64*F water and it was fine for me.

Once you get to low 70's, it's too warm for sleeves. Once you get over 78*, it's no longer wetsuit legal anyway.

[Deleted]

I'm in the same boat as I'm planning on doing my first open water races this year. 

I think I'm going to get sleeveless, because I really don't want to have my shoulders constricted. 

One race I'm looking at doesn't even mention the illegality of wetsuits because the temperature only ever falls between 58 and 74. They just say that a wetsuits are strongly recommended. 

[marclovesme]

I chose sleeves because I am naturally cold and weather in my area is a bit unpredictable. There was significant frost on the ground my last race of 2013, so I was really happy to have sleeves on that morning.

[shorewife]

Feb 4, 2014 12:26:16 GMT -5 Susie said:

My personal preference is no wetsuit. Don't own one, don't want one. I prefer total shoulder freedom (and fast T1s!), and don't need extra buoyancy.

Most of my friends - all of them actually, I think - choose sleeveless. They're too expensive to want to own two of, and there are so few races that are actually cold enough here for sleeves that it's more versatile/useful to own sleeveless. You'd overheat in sleeves by August here, maybe July. Plus, sleeves are super constricting and make it hard to feel the water on your forearms (an important part of your pull!).

To give some objective measures: I go without down to about 60*. I just avoid races with water colder than that. I think my HIM last June (near Boston) was in 63-64*F water and it was fine for me.

Once you get to low 70's, it's too warm for sleeves. Once you get over 78*, it's no longer wetsuit legal anyway.

I agree.  I have a sleeveless but I always feel constricted in my rib cage when I wear it and it makes me think I can't breathe.  I'm pretty sure it negates any benefit I get from the extra buoyancy.

[joenali]

I recommend a HUUB wetsuit! Check out the website! www.huubdesign.com

[chw57]

Mine has sleeves but it doesn't feel constricting in the shoulders. I almost didn't wear it at Wildflower last year because the water was 70F, but I ended up wearing it and felt awesome the whole time. I definitely like having sleeves.