At a glance A very well designed, buoyant, streamlined, comfy wetsuit with non-chaffing invisible seams at a great price, perfect for beginner or budget triathletes
Tested by
Claire Maxted, tester for The Bike List
Performance
All I had was my old Scuba suit when I did my first open water triathlon in the name of making cycling even more exciting by leaping on to the saddle dripping wet. While great for drifting along oohing and ahhing at colourful coral and stripy fish, the Scuba suit (not me) was absolutely terrible at triathlon. It strapped down my arms like a neoprene straight jacket and made front crawl feel like weight lifting. This is where 2XU's entry level wetsuit, the snug-fitting, stretchy T:O one came in. This suit packs in a many excellent features at a surprisingly low price and saved me from being the back of the pack, oohing and ahhing at absolutely nothing colourful or stripy in Rutland Water at the Dambuster Olympic distance triathlon last June.
Buoyancy
The T:O's good value is down to what 2XU call "an
exclusive buying arrangement" which means they are able to create a
buoyant, flexible wetsuit using SCS coated Yamamoto neoprene and
manufacturing technology not usually found at the budget end of the
market. Yamamoto is a limestone-based closed cell neoprene from
Japan and the company say that it has a 23% higher closed cell
structure than oil-based neoprene. This makes it more buoyant,
stretchier, and almost 95% impermeable by water - which is
significantly better than the standard 70% impermeability of
petroleum-derived wetsuits. Being more buoyant is an advantage for
the swim stage as less of the suit lies in the water, which drags
10 times more than air. So that bit of buoyant flab round your
middle might be more useful than you thought!
Streamlined
The water repellent SCS coating reduces the suit's surface resistance in both air and water and means you can cut through water with a shark-like ferocity. The one-piece, seamless design from neck to knee also adds to this unrestricted flow of water past the suit. I was surprised to shave a massive 30 seconds off my regular 400m swim time, gliding effortlessly through the pool in practice for the Dambuster.
Transition
Being more used to hired surf and scuba wetsuits, I had initially taken one look at the figure-hugging T:O and expected the kind of fight to get it on that would leave me panting for breath and rob me of precious seconds on the transition to the bike. However, again thanks to the coating, the wetsuit is very easy to get off, but only if you want to - the coating also makes the suit frighteningly comfy so I drove home in it after a particularly chilly open water session. I got a lot of strange looks, but I didn't care, I was warm!
Stretchy
The underarms have built in 2mm thick stretch panels and uncoated forearm grip panels that allow you to reach out and pull on as much water as you can. 2XU have even got a mind-bending stretchiness figure - 520% underarm elongation - so there's no excuse for not powering out on the swim. Then, when you're dripping at speed towards your bike, you might like to spare a thought for the vital seconds 2XU have helped you shave off by using a reduced 3mm panel in the lower legs and thinner crotch panel to help you run up the beach and take off the suit more easily. You can also trim the legs to adjust the buoyancy of your feet and tailor it to your kicking style.
Fit
The rigid zip is housed
in its own panel to increase freedom of movement within the back
panel and it is almost invisible under the streamlined flap, so
without close inspection this suit looks like it has been sprayed
on. This look worked for sexy heroine Sandie in the hit musical
Grease and surely oozes a similar style of cool at any triathlon
event. Although tight fitting, I found that you can actually
breathe very well in this suit as the 3mm back panel, along with
the underarm panel, stretches to accommodate your lungs wildly
inflating themselves for extra oxygen on the swim. The neckline as
usual is fully adjustable and comfier than most with its seamless,
snug design.
All in all, this is a very well designed, high quality wetsuit at a good price. You can easily get one for £160 if you look for discounts. The T:O makes a great suit not only for first time triathletes but any non-elite triathlete on a budget with an open water swim looming. Don't hire one and fight with it, treat yourself to this beauty and decide for yourself when to take it off.
Buy women's & men's from www.wiggle.co.uk
2XU says:
Designed for the triathlete who requires a wetsuit with added buoyancy and maximum flexibility without the expense. Through an exclusive buying arrangement we have managed to provide Yamamoto neoprene and manufacturing technology not normally offered at the budget end of the market. With the 2XU standard 2 year warranty, this suit offers incredible value.
BODY/CHEST
> Using Yamamoto neoprene with SCS coating we have optimal
buoyancy which means less body in the water therefore less wetted
surface area, and a faster overall speed through the water. Water
is 1000 times denser than air, and has a drag coefficient 10 times
greater than air. Buoyancy is the ultimate component of
speed.
> SCS coating which drastically reduces water
resistance/friction (f=0.032)
> The hydrodynamic flow over the front of the wetsuit is
interrupted by seams, so 2XU have a one piece design from the neck
to the knee to reduce drag and increase speed through the
water.
UNDERARM/LATERAL PANEL
> The main factor for underarm material selection is
flexibility. The underarm is a key panel which dictates the degree
of shoulder and arm movement , releasing the swimming stroke
action, allowing a complete extension along the latissimus dorsi.
Both the neoprene and inner lining materials have been selected for
maximum flexibility.
> With 520% elongation. Underarm/lateral (shoulder) panel.
> This advanced material and construction of the 2XU underarm
panel delivers maximum flexibility to enable the greatest range of
arm extension, rotation, abduction and adduction. In short a full
unrestricted range of arm movement.
LEGS
> The upper legs (region of seamless front panel) are created
using Yamamoto neoprene with optimised buoyancy with SCS
coating.
> The lower legs have a reduced Yamamoto neoprene 3mm panel
structure to help with the run up the beach, and to remove the
wetsuit with more ease.
> Adjustable length leg to customize fit for your kicking style.
Trim the leg length back to reduce buoyancy and lower your feet for
more kick power, or save your legs for the bike and run with a full
flotation suit to the ankle.
> Quick release leg cut for faster suit removal.
BACK PANELS (MAIN LATERAL AND LOWER BACK)
> Fundamental panels many other wetsuit brands underestimate.
2XU have engineered a back panel structure which is strong enough
to contain the rigid zip, withstanding the punishment of constant
use, but more importantly flexible enough to interact with the
underarm panel, and allow the zip to float with body movement. This
is achieved by the one piece floating zip panel, no seams so less
restriction.
> The floating zip back panel enhances flexibility of our back
panel which allows the zip (by construction non stretch) to move in
partnership with the body, especially during the recovery and catch
phase of the stroke - when your arm moves through the largest
motion from beside your hip to entering the water in front of you,
requiring the wetsuit to stretch along your back and
shoulder.
> The 2XU floating back panel also has the advantage of
contributing to better expansion of the chest cavity, therefore
reducing restriction to the breathing motion. The less flexible
front flotation panel is complemented by the hyper flexible 2mm
underarm panel and 3mm back panels to promote core expansion and
breathing.
SEAT AND CROTCH PANELS
> These two panels are all about maximising buoyancy, while
having an anatomical fitting shape so water does not gather in this
region. An ill fitted suit will allow the back up of water and
increase in weight.
> Utilising a lining which will hold its shape and support in a
region where most of the power in the stroke can come from.
> In utilizing materials which compress the muscles in the
buttock and higher leg greater muscle stability reduces fatigue and
allows the muscle to be primed for greater power output.
> Crotch panel also utilizes slightly thinner thickness to
enhance the run up the beach by allowing more flexibility without
sacrificing the suits buoyancy.
SHOULDER (AND EXTERIOR ARM) PANEL
> Utilising hyper flexible yet buoyant 2mm 39 cell Yamamoto
neoprene, 2XU seamless shoulder panel allows for unrestricted
movement.
FOREARM GRIP PANEL
> Using Yamamoto mesh we have utilised an uncoated surface to
give this panel extra hold on the water.
> This mesh panel anchors the arm more effectively so the body
can effectively flow through and past the planted forearm,
enhancing your ability to pull yourself through the water
NECK PANEL
> The neckline must balance tension perfectly to minimize both
water intake and chaffing.
> This neckline solution is completed with an adjustable
fastening collar system, allowing you to personalize the fit and
maintain the perfect tension.
> Seamless front construction so less drag.
> Only one seam on the inside allows less risk of chafing.
INVISIBLE ZIP
> The 2XU zip is manufactured from reliable light and strong
material, positioned behind the back panel lapels to reduce water
intake and
streamlined for speed.
