Ironman Wetsuits

While a wetsuit simply keeps you warm and protected, Ironman wetsuits, like the Instinct wetsuit and Stealth wetsuits offer lots more.

The triathlon wetsuit is normally made of rubber foam or neoprene. In most cases, the wetsuits fit quite loosely to allow the swimmer some comfort and to prevent the material from restricting the swimmer’s movement. For someone planning to race in a wetsuit, the problem lies in finding the right amount looseness in the wetsuit.

A wetsuit that is too tight may reduce drag, but it will also restrict movement and constrict chest movement, making it difficult to breath. On the other hand, a loose wetsuit will cause drag and chafe at the arms and crotch, giving the swimmer more problems the longer he swims.

Whereas, the material used in making a wetsuit enhances a swimmer’s abilities by:

• Making him more buoyant – by being lighter in the water, the swimmer moves faster;

• Reducing drag – the new slick materials causes water to “slide” over the material, making the swimmer go through the water more efficiently so less energy is spent in the effort;

• Protecting the swimmer while allowing a full range of motion – if the swimmer is unprotected, his body works twice as hard because it has to keep him warm as he swims;

This is where the similarity with Ironman wetsuit design ends.

Just as today’s skiers wear streamlined suits in order to go faster, wearing an Ironman wetsuits may increase your swim speed. Some even say by 10-15% over any other wetsuit! The secret is in the way the suits are patterned.

There are basically 2 new models of Ironman Wetsuits; the Instinct and the Stealth line.

The Ironman Instinct is the value-priced line and the Stealth is the top-of-the-line model. The Instinct is made of Yamamoto high-grade SCS coated #38 rubber which might not be as pliable and elastic as the material on the Stealth but it still offers the same snug body contour design as the Stealth.

Designed to be comfortable even when worn 1 size too small, the Ironman full wetsuits offer a snug, light fit that follows the body’s natural contours without folding at the joints that can cause drag. Hydro-dynamically designed and body contour patterned, the fact that the Ironman line of wetsuits also weighs about 1/4 lb lighter than other wetsuits helps too. On top of that, the seals around the neck, wrists and ankles that prevent water from flowing into the suit and messing with the swimmer’s hydro-dynamics are designed to make it easier for him to shed the suit quickly. This feature comes in very handy during a triathlon race, where the transition from swimming to cycling is a crucial factor.

Ironman wetsuits incorporate the VO2 technology which allows the swimmer to breathe freely and effortlessly even as the suit is wrapped snugly around him. Developed after a 2-year research program in Calgary, Canada, VO2 technology allows oxygen to move freely around the swimmers body, aiding him in his swimming efforts.

With VO2 technology, even the heat that results from the swimmer’s exertions is allowed to escape through micro-membranes, keeping the swimmer comfortably cool throughout his swim.

So, whether you choose the best value priced wetsuit over the top-of-the-line wetsuit, you can bet that wearing an Ironman wetsuit in the next swimming event will give you that extra edge you have been looking for.