Wetsuit Reviews

Buying a wetsuit means you’ll have to navigate through a labyrinth of brand marketing and buzzwords in order to make a selection that’s right for both your ambitions and, not to mention, your budget.  While there are plenty of wetsuit options for experience, expert triathletes, the majority of wetsuits sold are geared more toward beginner and intermediate levels. We all want the best triathlon wetsuit we can get for our particular budget, but where do you begin? It can be tempting to simply go for a cheap or discounted tri wetsuit, but there is more to the decision than that.  A bit part of buying the right suit is matching your needs to the purchase.  That is where there is as much art as analysis involved. Here’s what to look for when investing in a wetsuit, whether it’s your first purchase or not.  If you buy the right wetsuit for you, it should an investment that you can use for years to come. What To Look For in a Triathlon Wetsuit Fit Let’s face it – wetsuits fit tight, and they aren’t the easiest thing to get into and out of.  That is how they are supported to be — think “snug”, but not constricting.  One thing to remember is that while dry land comfort is important, neoprene expands when it gets wet.  Your suit will feel larger once you get in the water.  High-end wetsuits, especially, fit like a second skin and can really be difficult to get into. When choosing a wetsuit, it is really important to be sure that the fit leaves nothing to be desired.  You might want to research or even try on various brands, since the cuts vary slightly from make to make. The correct suit size will be tight, but not painfully so.  Ideally, there shouldn’t be any pockets or air spaces between the suit and skin – the area around the small of the back is particularly prone to this problem. If the suit is too loose, water will gush in underneath and it will lose much of the insulating effect. Range-of-Motion Related to fit is the range-of-motion afforded by a wetsuit.  Think about what you will be doing in your wetsuit — swimming in open water, in a race that you have trained for for months.  You want to be sure that your swim stroke is not terribly altered by the presence of a wetsuit.  To do this, be sure you have a suit that allows your arms and shoulders to do a normal, full swim stroke without pulling down on your limbs.  If the wetsuit is too constricting, at best you will have sore shoulders after the race.  At worst, you will alter your swim stroke and compromise your speed. Note that sleeveless wetsuits, while not as warm or buoyant, sometimes allow for better overall range-of-motion. Material (Neoprene) Neoprene is the fabric marvel that makes your wetsuit both buoyant and warm.  Neoprene is a synthetic rubber with thousands of tiny air pockets incorporated throughout.  These air pockets give the wetsuit its buoyancy, and they also make for great insulation, helping to retain your body heat in cold water. However, not all neoprene is the same.  Yamamoto Neoprene is generally recognized as the highest quality neoprene available.  It is made by a small factory in Japan with a unique limestone-based process that allows the factory to produce very thin neoprene that still retains superior buoyancy and heat retention.  Yamamoto Neoprene is a staple in many top-end wetsuits, and used in sections that are as thin as 1.5mm.  Less expensive suits will use thicker, bulkier neoprene – up to 5mm in thickness. Two types of Yamamoto Neoprene are in use today in triathlon wetsuits: #39 and #40.  Yamamoto #39 has been widely used for a number of years.  Its buoyancy and durability have helped cement the reputation of Yamamoto fabrics in triathlon circles.  More recently, Yamamoto #40 has begun to appear on high-end wetsuits.  This fabric boasts superior “stretchiness” compared to #39.  Previously, #40 was exclusive to Quintana Roo, but it has now found its way to some of the other brands.  Generally speaking, the high-end wetsuits on the market have a very precise blend of #39 and #40 neoprene. Buoyancy Wetsuit buoyancy isn’t just about type of fabric used.  It’s also about where it’s placed in the suit.  Most suit makers incorporate extra buoyant fabric panels in key areas, like the butt and lower back.  Taking this idea further, some wetsuit companies like Orca and BlueSeventy are now tuning suit performance, making different suits for different types of swimmers.  For example, BlueSeventy markets both neutral and positive buoyancy suits.  Whereas neutrally-buoyant suits aim to minimize drag by providing a sleek and low profile suit, positively-buoyant suits incorporate extra floatation in the butt and calf areas to help lift the lower body in the water.  This extra buoyancy can be quite helpful if you don’t consider yourself to be a technical swimmer as it improves swim posture.  Some suits even add extra buoyancy to the chest panel as well, which can be a real aid to those who don’t consider swimming to be a strength. Texture Many suits also incorporate a textured forearm panel.  The purpose of this panel is to improve stroke power as your arm pulls through the water.  On high-end suits, these panels are molded neoprene.  Entry level suits will use an appliqué that is either painted on glued on. While texture is really driven by the materials and neoprene used, it can be a factor that for some buyers make a different in the buying decision. Zippers, Cuffs, Collars, and Seams These are the creature comforts of your wetsuit, and can make all the difference between whether you’re going to love or hate putting on the suit.  Cuffs and collars should lay flat and be comfortable, but snug, to prevent water from rushing in to the suit.  Loose collars tend to rub against your skin and chafe.  … Read more

We’ve been huge fans of Xterra every since we started doing triathlon back in the early 2000’s. Xterra is a different kind of triathlon wetsuit company.  While most wetsuit brands are sold through a dealer network, Xterra wetsuits are only sold direct through the company’s website or at Xterra’s single retail outlet in San Diego, so there’s really no need to price shop for the best deal since the price is always going to be the same.  They offer quality products, and then sell them at a fair price.  We like that. We believe that Xterra’s unique direct-to-consumer model helps the company pass along some real value to triathletes and swimmers. Xterra is also a prolific marketer, sponsoring many events and groups.  Because of that, Xterra’s name is recognized by most triathletes.  We appreciate their continual support of the multisport world, and Xterra is one of the names in triathlon that has really become ubiquitous with the sport. In addition to wetsuits, Xterra makes a line of high-end speedsuits as well as other gear such as swim goggles.  In the end, though it is perhaps best known for its line of wetsuits that are generally recognized as very competitive and good quality — here is the lowdown, as well as some great discounts on Xterra wetsuits using our code (EBOOK). Xterra’s High End Wetsuit: The Vengeance The top wetsuit in the Xterra lineup is the Vengeance wetsuit, a suit that is decidedly high-end with excellent quality and paneling.  We consider it one of the best wetsuits on the market for long races.  The biggest difference is in design, where the Vengeance is much more focused on giving swimmers a “downhill” swim feel.  The legs have thicker 5mm neoprene, while the chest and upper is a thinner 3mm thickness (to compare, some of the other high-end wetsuits on the market give you 5mm thickness the entire way through).  That will make your legs more buoyant than your upper, providing more of a balanced distribution of flotation.  Because your legs are more dense, they require more support than your air-filled top. In short, the Vengeance will help you compensate for what might be less-than-perfect form in the water.  This benefit is not just for beginners or intermediates — even advanced swimmers might lose ideal body positioning in the water when fatigued or when dealing with a particularly rough body of open water.  The Vengeance will help correct the positioning. The feeling of swimming in the Vengeance may take some getting used to, but after a couple uses we loved it and are hooked.  We like both the sleeved and sleeveless versions of the Vengeance.  It feels great during the swim and provides a smooth transition in the upper chest from covered to uncovered, without cutting in like some other suits do. Xterra’s Mid/High-Range Wetsuit:  The Vector The Vector is Xterra’s proven high-end suit, and the one to get if you just want a comfortable, sleek, lightning-fast wetsuit when you don’t need the body-positioning assistance of the Vengeance.  It has thicker 5mm paneling straight through the front of the suit, which will help swimmers with buoyancy and those who are doing colder lake swims as part of their workout or race.  Then they mix in many strategic panes of 3mm neoprene, and our experience is that Xterra does a great job with this. The Vector is my personal go-to suit as of late, and it is hard to find a flaw with it.  As long as you use the store the suit with care, it should be the one that you can grab for years and years. The Vector might have a slightly increased drag coefficient, but also a slightly reduced sticker price when compared to the Vengeance.  It is important to note that the Vector is only made as a full-sleeved model.  If you need sleeveless, we recommend moving up to the Vengeance as it will be affordable given the typical price drop involved in going from sleeved to sleeveless .  The Vector’s technology and performance puts it in a class with such solid wetsuits as the Blue Seventy Helix, another great, versatile wetsuit but one whose retail price is a bit more than the Vector.  You can get up to 50% off a new Vector by using our code, ‘EBOOK’, when checking out at Xterra’s online store at www.xterrawetsuits.com.  That means a $700 full-sleeve Vector Pro can be yours for as low as $350.  A no-brainer. Xterra True Mid-Range: The Vortex The Vortex  is a more budget friendly mid-range suit.  While it still maintains the same 5mm front and 3mm back panel thicknesses as Xterra’s higher end offerings, it uses a generic brand of neoprene instead of premium #39 neoprene.  Also, a simpler, 2-panel arm is used instead of the anatomical 6 panel arm found on the Vendetta and Vector suits.  As with the Vector, it can be purchased in either full sleeve or sleeveless models.  The Vortex embodies what Xterra is known for by many in the sport — good, mid level wetsuits.  It has stiff competition at this price point from offerings such as the Sonar by Orca, a very good all-around suit that can be had for under $300 when discounted.  While most large wetsuit makers have quality offerings at this price point, suits like the Vortex should be considered if you are weighing all the options.  You can get up to 50% off a new Vortex by using our code, ‘EBOOK’, when checking out at Xterra’s online store at www.xterrawetsuits.com.  That kind of discount will make this a $250 wetsuit, very comparable with entry-level wetsuit pricing even though the Vortex is a decided step up.  We did an Orca Sonar review in the event you wanted to compare it to the Vortex. Xterra’s Entry-Level Wetsuit: Volt and Vivid At the entry level for newbie triathletes is the Volt along with the Vivid.  It is much more affordable and a quality entry-level suit.  Instead of maximum thickness 5mm neoprene, the … Read more

The Blue Seventy (branded as “blueseventy”) brand of wetsuits and swimwear began life in New Zealand in 1993, and quickly rose to become a preferred wetsuit for Ironman competitors and other triathletes before expanding in the early 2000’s to include race swimwear and goggles.  At its core, BlueSeventy remains a focused “swimmer’s“ brand and a leader in fabric technology. The Blueseventy name, in case you are wondering, is a moniker that acknowledges about 70% of the earth’s surface is water.  Blue water.  Blue 70%. The company is known for putting a premium on fit, with special emphasis on gender-specific suits.  Its femme-fit fitting style is made specifically for a female’s build and figure — something that they introduced nearly 10 years ago and were the first in the industry to do.  We like that blueseventy also offers a broad range of sized, especially in its entry level offerings.  For 2016-17, the BlueSeventy line includes a number of distinct wetsuits, all of high quality and made specifically for triathlon racing.  In short, we think the Blue Seventy brand should be on any triathlete’s shortlist if they are looking for a quality suit from a proven maker. One thing we have liked about Blueseventy over the years is that they do not constantly change their lineup, making it hard for consumers to keep up.  They have had a stable, constantly evolving-lineup of 3-4 key models for years  We like that. You really can’t go wrong with this brand, as we can attest from having worn Blueseventy gear in many triathlons. Top End: Helix The Helix is BlueSeventy’s top-of-the-line Neutral Buoyancy suit (here).  Blue Seventy has been featuring the Helix at the top of its lineup for more than five years, and they keep advancing the engineering to keep it at or near the top of its pack of competitors.  We consider it one of the very best higher-end wetsuits on the market today. The Neutral Buoyancy concept is designed to provide equal buoyancy throughout the length of the suit that augments the naturally horizontal body position that strong swimmers have in the water.   In addition, the Helix has incorporated low grade compression in the legs.  This increases blood flow to the legs during the swim, with the idea being that more blood flow leads to fresher biking legs once you get out of the water. The Helix also features several unique time-saving transition features.  Flexible kneel panels improve your ability to run in the suit, while a Reverse Zipper design makes it easy to get out of the suit in a hurry.  For an additional $50 on the price tag, you can get the Helix Thermal suit, which gives you all the advantages of the Helix but in a package that is meant for frigid temperatures.  Think Great Lakes or Northern Ocean temps — and you get the picture.  While it is not a trivial spend ($850 list price) the Helix Thermal gets rave reviews from all of our contacts who test it. In years past, Blue Seventy also offered a high-end, positive buoyancy suit called the Axis.  While you can perhaps find the Axis used, Blue Seventy no longer carries it new.  We can only surmise that the manufacturer was not selling two high-end wetsuits in the same lineup.  We are fine with their decision, as we have grown to love the Helix so much that it more than satisfies the need for a top wetsuit in the lineup.  In fact, one thing we really like about what Blue Seventy has done in recent years is that they have slimmed down their lineup.  This creates more simplicity for buyers and we think allows the company to pour more effort into just a few suits. The Helix goes for $800 list, and the Thermal goes for $850.  The sleeveless version prices are considerably less (about $500), but then again you get less warmth and buoyancy in a sleeveless too.  While those are not low prices, we can tell you that they are worth the money if you are going to use a wetsuit often. Mid Range: Reaction and Fusion The stability of Blue Seventy’s core offerings is something we really like, and we have been reviewing the Reaction for years.  The Reaction is the mid-range neutral buoyancy option from BlueSeventy.  Like the brand’s top-of-the-line suits, the Reaction features a low friction coating.  We like the paneling around the chest which provides for easier breathing, something that is important when you are breathing heavily during a race.  We are also big fans of the neck collar, which is made a little lower so it doesn’t give the sensation of being tight around the throat.  The Reaction is available in both a full-sleeve and sleeveless design, and we hear it has been the company’s best seller for years. Just a slight notch down in price, the Fusion is BlueSeventy’s mid-range Positive Buoyancy wetsuit, and is also available in the same coating and style options.  We like the Fusion for many racers, at is provides some great technology at a really nice price point.  In many respects, it takes the place of the old Axis suit, but at a more affordable price point.  Both suits, the Reaction and the Fusion are suitable for many racers and we feel they can be had at a fair price.  Find the Reaction for $475 and the Fusion for $325.  A sleeveless version can be had for a healthy discount — the Reaction sleeveless is about $295, or $180 less than the sleeved version. Entry Level: Sprint The Sprint is targeted towards novice triathletes, with great Blue Seventy engineering but at an entry level price point.  You will be hard-pressed to find a better value on the market today.  Our analysis of entry-level wetsuits suggests that the suits made by higher-end makers are far superior to those imported ones that you may find selling for less on Amazon.  While the Sprint doesn’t offer as much of the buoyancy features or variance in … Read more

The price range of triathlon wetsuits varies significantly.  You could spend anywhere from $50 to $650 or more for something labeled as a triathlon wetsuit.  While the old saying that “you get what you pay for” holds true, it doesn’t necessarily mean everyone should hold out for a top of the line wetsuit.  The model of wetsuit you purchase should reflect your triathlon goals, the level of your triathlon swim technique and conditioning, and how (and how often) you intend to use the wetsuit. We have done a roundup of the various triathlon wetsuit price points, and categorized them for you.  This is intended to assist you as you determine which level wetsuit to purchase, and exactly what you get for the money. Of course, catching a good deal at the right time of the year can help you “upgrade” to a level above what you pay for, but in general terms, here are the the price points on good triathlon wetsuits.  Keep in mind that we are always on the lookout for great deals on wetsuits, and whenever we find killer deals we link to them from the various reviews we write for you on this site. When it comes to triathlon wetsuits, the various models are more similar than they are different.  With that said, we admire the companies who are spending time and energy on research and development, studying the finer points of neoprene and swimming, in order to bring continually advancing technology to the market.  It is not just about performance, though — We also like the move by companies to figure out what can be done to make wetsuits more environmentally-friendly, such as the work that we have seen Xterra do.  This is a welcome trend that we hope continues. We are often amazed how much the engineering can advance in just a short amount of time.  Still, we find suits at each price range that seem to provide a great package for a great value, and we’ve tried to outline them as well. Level 1:  Not Ready for Prime Time Price Range:  $50 – $150 Summary:  A quick Ebay or online search will yield several hits for very low cost wetsuits, typically made of very basic materials and simple manufacturing.  While it might be tempting to save money on your first wetsuit, these models do not have the construction quality of wetsuits that cost just $50 more, and will not keep you insulated nearly as well as better suit or provide anywhere near the range of motion in the water.  The first signs of the poor construction will be evident when the zipper breaks or the suit gets nicks or cuts from the smallest incidents, and the buoyancy of the wetsuit will not be as good as the higher levels.  We also notice that the seams on these wetsuits are not as strong as better suits and are often uneven or raised (which can cause chafing).  We hate to be such downers, as we generally want to encourage everyone to participate in the sport of triathlon and get in better shape, but we are also believers in buying quality that will last.  My first (and last) foray into the world of cheap wetsuits ended the 3rd time I wore it, when the entire zipper busted as I was exiting the water during a race.  The next wetsuit I bought was a much better quality QR model. Who They Are Good For:  Someone who intends to only do one triathlon, is on a budget, and doesn’t have a rental or borrowing option. Recommended Model:  We don’t recommend any models from this level.  We would encourage you to rent a better wetsuit rather than buy a model that won’t last long or one that is not made for triathlon.  The exception is for youth wetsuits, for which this is a quality price point.  The Blue Seventy Torpedo is a great example of a quality youth wetsuit in this price range.   Level 2: Triathlon Entry Level Price Range:  $190 – $250 Summary:  Getting into the entry level triathlon wetsuit market from one of the major wetsuit manufacturers will provide you with a suit that can hold up to many races, provide the insulation you need in cold water, and provide the basic range of motion for a comfortable swim.  With this price range, you can expect a durable wetsuit material and strong seams, and addition to some in-demand features such as a easier pull zipper and more comfort on pressure points on your neck, wrists, and ankles.  Not only will the seams be stronger, but they should be made in a way that will lessen the level of rubbing and chafing on your skin (although not nearly to the comfort level of the higher-end suits on this list). Who They Are Good For:  Age group racers who intend to make triathlon a regular hobby, but whose main goal is to finish and have fun, and Sprint racers who want to gradually improve their times. Recommended Model:  The Orca S6 is in the “S-Level” lineup for Orca, a constantly-evolving offering for entry-level and beginning triathletes.  From the time this model was an S3, many years ago, Orca has brought some higher-end buoyancy and paneling technology to the sub-$250 price range.  While it might not be the performance you want for an Ironman, the S6 provides more than enough technology for your training swims and the typical Sprint and Olympic racer.  If you are on the fence about this or a higher-end wetsuit, we always recommend going up to the mid-level.  After a few races and swims, you will be thankful for the better range-of-motion and paneling. As you are shopping, note that you might be references to the S4, S5, and S6…. S6 is the newest but they are in a way the same model, just upgraded every couple years (S6 being the newest).  We also love the Blueseventy Sprint.  It is an excellent wetsuit from a reliable maker for a reasonable price … Read more

There was a time when the only way for beginner triathletes to have access to good triathlon wetsuits was to rent.  It was just too hard to justify the purchase of a $500 suit if you weren’t planning on racing every summer weekend.  Those days have ended. With the incredible growth of triathlon in the past decade, there has been a flood of new entry-level wetsuits on the market, and the price to own isn’t much higher than renting a suit for a couple of races during the season.  Additionally, while triathlon wetsuit prices keep going up at the top-end, the entry-level price point has stayed around the $200 – $300 spot for several years, allowing you to find some real bargains out there.  Sure, you can still spend $600+ on a higher-end wetsuit, but you don’t have to. We are always trying to help beginner triathletes find the right gear for all three legs (check out our article on finding an entry level triathlon bike) and wetsuits are no different.  So if you are a new triathlete, or just someone who wants to save a little money, here are a few entry-level wetsuits that are worth checking out. Orca S4 The  S5 from Orca debuted recently, replacing the S4 which had been the lineup’s entry-level model since 2010.  Orca has made gradual improvements to this entry-level model every year since introducing it.  As usual with Orca, the S5 provides some of the top fabric technologies available at this price point.  The full sleeve S5 uses 5mm Smoothskin neoprene for the majority of its construction, with thinner Quadstretch panels in the shoulder for additional freedom of movement and special Hydrolift buoyancy panels in the core and lower legs to provide improved body position.  The S5 also has hydrostroke silicone printed forearm panels form better stroke grip.  With the S5 listing at around $240, but available for less through our sponsors, it definitely qualifies as the best buy of the bunch.  Find it here. Zoot Wave 1 Zoot completely changed their wetsuit lineup, and we are still getting used to the new naming convention and models.  The entry-level suit, though, is the M Wave 1.  It uses Yamamoto #38 neoprene for a great combination of buoyancy and durability, and low-friction SCS coating to provide maximum glide through the water.  Like the S3 from Orca, the Flash uses different panel thicknesses depending on location to tailor a balance between flexibility and buoyancy – 4mm in the torso nd  3mm in the legs.  In the $225 – $250 range, the Wave 1 is definitely at the bottom of the price range for entry-level wetsuits, so a good option for those on a budget.  Note that Zoot makes their suits gender-specific, so you will want to choose a M or W model depending on your gender. Find it here. Xterra Volt The Volt from Xterra is a great value suit from a popular manufacturer in Xterra.  While it comes in at the higher-end of the entry-level wetsuit price range, Xterra packs in the features that are often found in more of a mid-level suit…. so you really get a good value.  The Volt has a feature set that’s tough to match for a new triathlete.  It uses 3mm neoprene in the front and 2mm in the back.  The 3mm panels provide buoyancy while the reduced thickness in the back gives improved flexibility over the large muscle groups.  The suit is coated with the slick Composite Skin coating.  One of the biggest differences with the Volt is that unlike other entry-to-mid range wetsuits, it uses a high quality liner for maximum stretch and comfort throughout it’s construction instead of just the shoulders and elbows.  If you want to increase your budget by $50 or $75, you can consider the Vortex which is a very good suit in its own right and will give you even more contrast between the panelling.  You can get a significant 50% discount on the Volt and other Xterra wetsuits by using our code, ‘EBOOK‘, when buying directly from their site at www.xterrawetsuits.com. Blue Seventy Sprint The Sprint from Blue Seventy is one of the sharpest looking suits out there – after all, who doesn’t want be fast and look good on raceday.  It’s available in 14 different sizes, so there are a lot of fit options for both men and women.  Aside from the Sprint, we just really like what Blueseventy (or “blueseventy” as they are branding themselves) is doing with its wetsuit lineup, a company that has been making great wetsuits for many years.  Blueseventy also makes a “femme fit” model of their suits, designed specifically for a female figure.  The bulk of the suit is constructed from 5mm neoprene, and large stretch panels in the shoulders allow for full range of motion.  It includes thicker leg padding for more buoyancy.  At a price of around $220, it is an excellent overall value and gives you a high quality suit from arguably the most innovative manufacturer in the business today.  Find it here.  Step-Up Options If you want to push your budget just a little further up into the entry-level range and begin to get into the mid-range wetsuits, we are intrigued by the 2XU A:1 Active model.  Newer to the market, this wetsuit borrows some of the buoyancy characteristics of more expensive suits with the cleverly-named “rollbar” technology.  2XU has proven to be one of the more active gear makers lately in terms of improving their technology, so we like what we see in the A:1 Active.  2XU wetsuits also come with a one-year warranty, which can provide some peace-of-mind to spending a little more money. We are huge fans of the Xterra Vortex, perhaps one of the best all-around values on the market today.  It will be a suit that you can use as you are just beginning, but can continue to comfortable use even if you begin to tackle longer and longer swims and races.  Remember our ‘EBOOK’ discount code if you check … Read more

The Sonar is Orca’s best-selling mid range suit.  It is highly versatile and for the majority of triathletes is probably the best choice in Orca’s lineup.  It’s a great “value” suit – moderately priced but jam packed with features – many of which were on Orca’s top-of-the-line wetsuits just a year or two ago.   Features: The Orca Fullsleeve Sonar triathlon wetsuit features 2mm SCS-coated Yamamoto #39 neoprene construction for the majority of panels.  Yamamoto#39 has been the benchmark neoprene on high end performance wetsuits for years.  It’s only just now being replaced by the newer (and extra stretchy) Yamamoto #40 on premium suits.  This is actually good news if you’re in the market for a mid range wetsuit since it’s now more affordable than ever to get into race-proven Yamamoto 39 cell material. Additionally, the Sonar’s cell neoprene is coated with Yamamoto’s SCS (Super Composite Skin).   SCS is a fast, water repellant coating that lowers resistance and improves glide through the water.   It basically reduces the drag that you body produces as it skims through the water.SCS coated Yamamoto #39 has a great reputation in the sport for durability.   In fact, Orca uses the Sonar for its in-house wetsuit rental program, which probably says a thing or two about its longevity. The 2018 edition of the Sonar has been upgraded with a few new features that were previously only found on Orcas’s higher end suits.  This is consistent with the way Orca has done things for years – debuting new technology on the top line suits before bringing these features to the mid range offerings.  This system really benefits the Sonar as it’s always the first suit in line to get last year’s state-of-the-art technologies. We like the super stretch material in the chest, which allows for more chest freedom.  The most common complaint we hear from swimmers and triathletes about their wetsuits is that they feel their breathing is constricted.  Most top manufacturers are taking steps to reduce this issue, and Orca’s super stretch is working quite well. One big upgrade is the addition of Aerodrome buoyancy panels to the lower back and lower legs.  Aerodrome has been used on top-end Orca suits for a few years, but for 2018 has been added to the Sonar.  It’s a special 5mm neoprene that has increased buoyancy resulting from microscopic air cavities trapped inside.  By strategically placing Aerodrome panels on the core and lower legs, the Sonar improves swimming form by providing lift to the lower body.  This buoyancy benefits both weak swimmers and triathletes with more muscular lower bodies resulting from biking and running focus. Additionally Orca has improved flexibility in the arms and shoulders by incorporating a combination of Deltastretch, HyperStretch, and MultiStretch panels.  Looking past the slick names, these are essentially different weaves of nylon jersey that are used in high movement areas – think shoulders and elbows –  so the wetsuit moves with your stroke instead of hindering it.  By altering the weave and fabric blend, Orca tailors each panel for the desired combination of stretch, buoyancy, and durability.  It creates a nice fit over a triathlon suit as well, if that is what you choose to wear underneath on race day. Orca has also revamped the neckline with a sleeker, lower profile collar that lays flat and reduces chafing.  The Sonar is available in both Men’s and Women’s sizes.  It’s also available in both full sleeve and sleeveless models. Pricing and Discounts:  Considering you will likely spend around $400, it might not seem like a bargain, but the Sonar is a good value and a strong wetsuit overall.  When you compare it to suits in the $600 to $700 range, you get highly comparable features, only with less exaggerated paneling that will result in a very minor reduction in buoyancy and speed.  If you area in the market for the Sonar, you may want to compare it against the Blue Seventy Reaction, another of our favorites at this price point. Find the Sonar here. Von Collins is a longtime triathlete, coach, writer, and the author of Your First Triathlon Guide and other fitness books.