best COLDwater lap-swimming wetsuit?

[728mark]

I do laps in my backyard pool as my main form of upper body workout, so even in cold weather seasons (I live in Phoenix AZ area) when water dips into the 40's, I want to be able to keep up with doing my laps. I was using a shorty wetsuit (3mm) and a 5mm hood, along with booties and gloves, when water was like 53 degrees. Now that it's colder, naturally I need a thicker full suit. There are SO MANY makes and models available, some quite expensive and some quite hightech, but I have no idea what type is best for upper body flexibility (for my freestyle/crawl and butterfly lap-swimming). Maybe some scuba guys/gals could shed some light, or an experienced extreme swimmer, perhaps. (Also, being early-retired, I am on a budget, which makes my quest even more challenging!) Thanks in advance for any feedback/advice!! Enjoy.

[cracken]

I wouldn't recommend a SCUBA diving heavy 7-8mm wet suit for swimming. Although it'll keep you warm, it's not designed for surface swimming. SCUBA divers don't use their arms to swim, just the legs; so the thicker suits aren't usually flexible enough in the shoulder region to provide comfortable sustained surface swimming.

The pool (at the dive shop) that I work out in during the winter is inside, but due to costs they don't keep very warm, last night it was 51f. I used a 4mm shorty, oh yeh it's cold in the beginning, but a few laps in & I'm fine. I don't use any of my better equipement in the pool, the chlorine kills it.

[728mark]

I completely agree with you, and thanks for the input. And thanks for the warning about chlorine-rot. (I'll be sure to rinse after use.)
Like I said, I'm okay in the 50's (water temps). Are you familiar with the multi-density suits, like the Ripcurl Steamer "Insulator" 5/4/3? It's hooded and is probably a few years old ~ maybe the predecessor to their F-Bomb and E-Bomb. I'm way tempted to go that route, but again, I'm not familiar enough with them (or any others, really!) to make a $100- to $200-decision.
Also, I can relate to your shop's pool heating issue. My pool is outside, and here in this part of AZ, most pool heaters, including mine, are of the heat-pump variety. Not only can it get expensive running the filter and heater, but when air temps dip under about 50, the heat-pump loses effectiveness and automaticly shuts off. Of course, that's how I got into this spot I'm in ~ going NUTS wetsuit shopping!!
Anyone else have experience with this? Thanx

[cracken]

Sorry 728mark, I'm not familiar with those suits. But they certaining sound like they are designed for your needs.

I asked some of the guys at the dive shop & no one had any better advice.
We're geared for cold water diving.

Good luck.

[728mark]

I just rcv'd a 2nd-hand Rip Curl Ultimate Elasto No-Zip fullsuit. I went a size larger hoping to get a bit of extra flexibility, PLUS it's thicness is only 2/2mm. MUCH better f/ my sole intended use, and plenty warm, especially w/ its zipperless design ~ keeps out more cold.
My only complaint so far is this:
I have a dickens of a time getting STARTED w/ the 'taking off', or doffing, process. It being a zip-free, you initially climb into it thru the (very flexible) neck/shoulder area, as you may know, then lastly insert the arms ~ right and then left. Of course, removing the suit is just the reverse ~ beginning w/ the left arm, then right arm, etc. (turning it inside-out as you go ~ conventional).
Where I find myself a bit stymied is the very 1st step of pulling my left (or even right) arm out. That being: to stretch/peel the left shoulder/neck area down far enough to free my elbow to where I can simply yank my arm free.
I phoned Rip Curl and they told me that my general technique was indeed correct ~ clearly I had the right order. One issue, I guess, is that the suit is a handful of years old, so its design evolution is not quite up-to-date, thereby no one in their CS dept has any hands-on with this exact suit and my issue.
BACK TO MY ORIGINAL QUEST: it ocurred to me the other day to search triathlon wetsuits ~ VOILA! However, they are well out of my price range. Consequently, once I get over this initial donning/doffing hump, I know I'll be totally pleased with this recent online auction purchase. TTFN

[engr]

I haven't tried t hem yet, but I"ll be using an Orca wetsuit when I do my tri in June (Yes, you still need a wetsuit to swim in the Northern Atlantic in June.) You might want to check them out.

https://www.orca.com/secure.html

[728mark]

Thanks engr. I have no doubt that some thermal protection is needed there even by late August!! Somehow those huge bodies of water just don't warm up all that quickly. I wish you the best in your training and in your upcoming competition. At your suggestion, I've looked around f/ Orca info, particularly their Distance tri-suit, but have found nothing re the thickness or thermal capabilities. Any insight here?

[engr]

It looks like most of the ones I could find info on are 4mm or 5mm, but didn't find thickness information on most of them. Sorry.

[728mark]

I have come to find that the Ripcurl no-zip in the 2mm/3// thickness is just about perfect for VERY comfortable lap swimming in H2O temps down to 50', or even 45' F. I have surrendered to the mildly bothersome "struggle" w/ getting my left arm out (the very 1st step of getting out of this suit). The added warmth, which results from the absence of zippers and the great seals, make it worth the bother. Once I did it a few times, and find that the neoprene is NOT going to rip (from stretching/hooking it down/over/beyond the left elbow) I realized that it's 'all good'.
I've ordered a triathlon shorty (found it new f/ $99 shipped and I splurged), but am having to do the SIMPLY AWFUL tracking/tracing/LOST-item DANCE with UPS. I've come to find that such a process takes SEVERAL weeks and that the shipper MUST take a VERY proactive roll in seeing it through. Perhaps I'll post again once that suit arrives and the water warms up some more.
HAPPY SPLASHING!!!