Von Collins

The Orca Equip has a proven track of success for those who are serious about their open water swimming, but also a price point that makes it affordable for beginner triathletes.  Orca has been making the equip for several years, and its presence as a mainstay in the Orca lineup shows just how popular it has been.  The Equip is in the midrange (Just over $300 list, but often on sale) which makes it an excellent choice for entry and mid tier wetsuit users. The wetsuit is designed fashionably by Orca, one of the more popular manufacturers who are regarded highly in this industry.  We have personally used Orca products and can attest that Orca knows what they are doing at all price points. Orca Equip Review The Orca Equip is light in weight and elastic near the shoulders. The suit is well fitted with slimline cuts and, like more expensive wetsuits, has panels for forearms with high friction that help in the pull phase during swimming. It also provides athletes freedom of movement when they are in the midst of an open water swim. It is a good choice for those who are using wetsuits for the first time given the combination of the price point and the features. Short of elevating your open water swim technique to where it needs to be, getting into a good wetsuit is one of the best things you can do to improve your swim. The wetsuit is composed of 39 cell Yamamoto neoprene, material used in many Orca models.  39 cell neoprene is known for being able to stretch more than 500% without breaking or tearing. It has 1 mm Yamamoto neoprene on the sleeves that increases comfort and flexibility while swimming, with a very flexible 1.5mm neoprene around the should transition area. It is made up of long-lasting, high quality HydroCell SCS neoprene. The arms, chest and torso thickness in Orca Equip measure about 2mm. As is the trend in wetsuits, it is considered that neoprene thickness throughout the suit varies which is very important as less thickness is also required in some areas such as under arms for a flexible motion. The Orca Equip helps the beginner with its functions and qualities to improve their underwater and in-water performance.  In its latest design, Orca started using a material called InfinitySkin on the Equip, a flexible material that was previously only found on higher-end models. The Equip was revised in 2015. It has Hydrostroke Forearm Panel which was earlier seen in Ocra Apex 2. The panel also has silicon print which eases the water pull phase of the stroke by increasing power, something that originally featured only on higher-end suits. One of the notable features that lacks in Orca Equip is its coated neoprene on the underarm panels that are flexible, as are found in the higher end Alpha, Orca’s signature suit (you’ll spend about $300 more for those suits — worth it if you plan to do alot of longer races but not if you are a casual sprint racer).  Due to this uncoated and flexible neoprene the dress becomes less hydrodynamic, but probably not entirely noticeable for novice swimmers. QuadraFlex underarm panels are water resistant and allow you to have flexibility and easy movement wherever you need it. The Orca Equip is a suit that fits everyone and is accessible for most athletes. It also has 3 mm stretch neoprene, Speed Transition Calf, which permits quick and convenient transitions. Ocra’s are easy to get off in transition due to the angled openings in the legs. Swimmers report that bouyancy is good in this suit but not as high as in some of the more expensive ones, but for the price point most triathletes are pleased with the overall wetsuit performance. Equip Sizing and Features  For male triathlon participants, it is available in sizes of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10 and 11 while in women it is available in XXS, XS, S, M ,L and XL. It should be noted that most users suggest erring on the larger size when in doubt, as Orca tends to fit their sizes for very fit athletes. You may find, if you are a typical weekend athlete, that you require a tad more space than a pro does in your wetusit. Don’t overdo it, though, as wetsuits are supposed to fit tightly. The Orca Equip is available only in black. For fastening it has a Slipstream Zip. It is technology that has proved to reduce the drag between the wetsuit and water to the least possible amount. Conclusion In short, the Orca Equip is a good buy for starters who want to start economically with some features that would have been more expensive just a few years ago.  While there are now some great entry level wetsuits on the market today, for a more avid triathlete it may definitely pay to upgrade to the midrange.  The Equip, along with the Blue Seventy Reaction, are a couple of our favorite wetsuits in that range.  Orca has been cranking out good wetsuits for a long time and seems committed to keep doing so, making them a brand we would have no problem recommending, and the Equip is a model we have always liked.

Orca has come a long way since Kiwi age-grouper Scott Unsworth began selling his ‘speedsuits’ from the back of his car in 1992 at local race events.   With an unsurpassed Olympic (and not to mention Ironman) pedigree, Orca continues to provide innovative wetsuit designs for today’s top triathletes.  For 2013, the Orca lineup boasts 5 suits, each available in both men’s and women’s sizes and full-sleeved and sleeveless models.  There have been some replacements in recent years, particularly at the lower-end of the lineup, all in an effort to improve the wetsuit technology for racers at lower price points. Top End The 2011 wetsuit lineup from Orca includes two top-of-the line models: the Alpha and the 3.8.  Both suits utilize 1.5mm Yamamoto #40 neoprene as well as Orca’s most advanced fabric technology, known as ExoCell.  New for 2011, ExoCell is Orca’s most buoyant fabric yet – a laminated neoprene that is claimed to be 25% more buoyant than the Aerodrome fabric it replaces on these top tier suits.  Both suits also feature molded Aquatread forearm panels to improve stroke power through the catch.  Both suits also make use of Yamamoto’s latest super slick coating, nano-SCS (Super Composite Skin). The Alpha is the ‘swimmer’s’ wetsuit –ExoCell fabric in the butt area provides extra buoyancy where you need it most, while the rest of the suit features 1.5mm #40 Yamamoto nano-SCS neoprene for a second skin feeling.  We hear of many top triathletes who insist that the the Alpha may be the top wetsuit on the market, rivaled perhaps by the Blue Seventy Helix.  Whatever the case, it is a top wetsuit that most athletes will fall in love with. The Alpha has a first cousin in the Orca lineup that shoudl be considered as well.The 3.8, in a slightly different twist, features an enhanced buoyancy for those who of us who need a bit more help.  In addition the butt panel, the 3.8 also have additional ExoCell panels on the chest and calves.   It also incorporates HydroLift buoyancy panels in the forearms for passive stroke correction. Mid Range The Sonar is Orca’s best-selling wetsuit.  It’s a mid range suit that’s geared towards an athlete that’s ready for the next step.  For 2011, Orca’s added its Aerodrome laminated neoprene buoyancy panels to the back and calf areas of this suit.  The Sonar also features HydroStroke Forearm Panels, which have a silicone printed texture to enhance stroke power.  The balance of the suit is constructed from 2mm Yamamoto #39 neoprene with SCS coating for minimum glide resistance The Equip uses 2mm Yamamoto #39 from the waist up, and extra buoyant 5mm Smoothskin neoprene panels for the legs and lower torso.  It also features the Hydrostroke Forearm panel.   The Equip has a broader more comfortable fit, and for 2013 we see some enhancements in the material and construction that make the new Equip a step up from those made in prior years.  We recommend looking at the equip in conjunction with the Sonar, to make sure you get the one tailored for your body.  While the Sonar runs about $100 more than the Equip, for many racers the equip may be all that you need for strong performance. Entry The S4 has a 5mm Smoothskin neoprene construction with a generous fit.  Additionally, it uses the same Hydrostroke forearm panel technology found on Orca’s mid range suits.  The S4 is very popular for those who are new to the sport or on a tight budget.