Entry level open water wetsuit

[mrs mtx]

I am a runner through and through, I like trails, ultras etc.
I can bike, not the fastest but I can do the distance…..
2 months ago I started swimming lessons and I’ve booked my first sprint tri with a pool swim, but I’m thinking ahead for starting open water swimming.

Any recommendations on an entry level wetsuit that doesn’t cost a fortune? I started browsing but realised how little I know about swimming in order to make an informed decision!

 

[celtis man]

I am a runner through and through, I like trails, ultras etc.
I can bike, not the fastest but I can do the distance…..
2 months ago I started swimming lessons and I’ve booked my first sprint tri with a pool swim, but I’m thinking ahead for starting open water swimming.

Any recommendations on an entry level wetsuit that doesn’t cost a fortune? I started browsing but realised how little I know about swimming in order to make an informed decision!

All the super markets down here have them, Anne's cottage did (I think they still trade)
A shortie is the thing I would think

 

[mrs mtx]

Sorry excuse my lack of knowledge but I think swimming is different? I have a surfing wetsuit already but I don’t think I could swim in it, I’m sure swimming ones are more flexible?

 

[celtis man]

Sorry excuse my lack of knowledge but I think swimming is different? I have a surfing wetsuit already but I don’t think I could swim in it, I’m sure swimming ones are more flexible?

Dunno? I see them in them at Polly joke we don't bother and just get in and go for it

 

[Welderloon]

Sports direct sell reasonably priced entry level ones according to my mates triathlete wife - I'm sure she said Azore or Azure??
@mrs mtx.
She bagged 2x in a sale @£60 each compared to a slightly more pricey one @£150

 

[mrs mtx]

Sports direct sell reasonably priced entry level ones according to my mates triathlete wife - I'm sure she said Azore or Azure??
@mrs mtx.
She bagged 2x in a sale @£60 each compared to a slightly more pricey one @£150

Thank you, I think they are zone 3 ones which I’ve heard are good! I never know if the cheap ones are cheap for a reason! I’ll take a look, thank you!

 

[Welderloon]

They have just left my house, her philosophy is little point in paying too much as it will get trashed anyhow from a crash, snag, fall or something else............those x2 are quite serious competitors & know the right side of a £5 note though are quite image conscious.
She did definitely recommend trying them on before buying................which tbf sounds like a nightmare

 

[JLLM]

I am a runner through and through, I like trails, ultras etc.
I can bike, not the fastest but I can do the distance…..
2 months ago I started swimming lessons and I’ve booked my first sprint tri with a pool swim, but I’m thinking ahead for starting open water swimming.

Any recommendations on an entry level wetsuit that doesn’t cost a fortune? I started browsing but realised how little I know about swimming in order to make an informed decision!

Are you a member of the Pembs Tri club? Lots of very helpful people, they do coached swimming sessions every week in H,west I think, and uncoached group bike rides, as well as sea swims. They have a fb page as well.

 

[mrs mtx]

Are you a member of the Pembs Tri club? Lots of very helpful people, they do coached swimming sessions every week in H,west I think, and uncoached group bike rides, as well as sea swims. They have a fb page as well.

I fb stalk them but I’ve never been brave enough to speak! Rhys used to be a member of them when they had the junior tri team. I struggle with anything committed as Matt is never home when he’s supposed to be! Rhys has to come watch my swim lessons
Do you know who’s best to speak to there? Rhys’s coach was Jonathan something?

 

[Macsky]

Have a look on Vinted and get one cheap second hand, it’ll do as a starter til you know what’s best

 

[JLLM]

I fb stalk them but I’ve never been brave enough to speak! Rhys used to be a member of them when they had the junior tri team. I struggle with anything committed as Matt is never home when he’s supposed to be! Rhys has to come watch my swim lessons
Do you know who’s best to speak to there? Rhys’s coach was Jonathan something?

We were doing the Friday evening run sessions, the coaches were Simon Linley and Kevin Wheeler, Jackie Gibbons does some coaching too. Most of them are regulars at Parkrun.

 

[mrs mtx]

We were doing the Friday evening run sessions, the coaches were Simon Linley and Kevin Wheeler, Jackie Gibbons does some coaching too. Most of them are regulars at Parkrun.

Thank you! I’ll man up and message one!

 

[Magnus Oyke]

Speak to that tri club. You'll want a tri suit though. They add a lot of bouyency. I run a bit cold, so need more insulation than other people, but you can end up gtting quite warm.

Do post a video of you trying to put it on though for our amusement! Joking aside, you'll need to practice that for race day

 

[davidroberts30]

job lot of baby oil to slide into the suit

 

[SilliamWhale]

I am a runner through and through, I like trails, ultras etc.
I can bike, not the fastest but I can do the distance…..
2 months ago I started swimming lessons and I’ve booked my first sprint tri with a pool swim, but I’m thinking ahead for starting open water swimming.

Any recommendations on an entry level wetsuit that doesn’t cost a fortune? I started browsing but realised how little I know about swimming in order to make an informed decision!

You can try them on in your favourite shop -Mikes Bikes!

Honestly I had a huub and couldn't get in with it as I'm too broad for skinny Tri wetsuit but the one they had there was perfect.

£200 ish

 

[mrs mtx]

You can try them on in your favourite shop -Mikes Bikes!

Honestly I had a huub and couldn't get in with it as I'm too broad for skinny Tri wetsuit but the one they had there was perfect.

£200 ish

I really don’t like them but if it means trying on then maybe I can suck it up.
Were they quite helpful? I need to get my bike serviced and was going to take it to st David’s but maybe I’ll do one trip to hwest

 

[SilliamWhale]

I really don’t like them but if it means trying on then maybe I can suck it up.
Were they quite helpful? I need to get my bike serviced and was going to take it to st David’s but maybe I’ll do one trip to hwest

Halfords in hwest always been good to me for bikes it's not rocket science but there's two blokes there who are decent and v fair priced.

GIve MB a call to check on wetsuits, I recommend trying on as body shape different. Also the more you spend the flexibility improves.

 

[mrs mtx]

Halfords in hwest always been good to me for bikes it's not rocket science but there's two blokes there who are decent and v fair priced.

GIve MB a call to check on wetsuits, I recommend trying on as body shape different. Also the more you spend the flexibility improves.

You mean short and chunky is harder to cater for

 

[SilliamWhale]

You mean short and chunky is harder to cater for

Definitely not.

I'm short but broad and so a normal medium doesn't work. There is a wetsuit for all types but because they are clingy you need to find one to suit and try on. I think you can try on in a shop in sfoot too.

 

[N.Yorks.]

Definitely don't buy until you have tried on..... I made the mistake of buying online and ended up having to buy a second as I used the first a couple of times before realising it really shouldn't be as tight as it was.....

Open water is nicer than pool swimming for sure as you get into a really nice rhythm without having to turn all the time plus the wetsuit gives a little bit more buoyancy which is nice.

Enjoy.