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"ProMotion Wetsuits were in the water long before most of you knew what a triathlon was...you sacrifice nothing for the low price"
Triathlete Magazine
How do we compare?
Triathlete Magazine recently did a 2008 ANNUAL WETSUIT REVIEW (March 2008 issue). Prices were taken from the magazine review. Features were taken from company websites. Here is how our Fluid Drive Fullsuit and our Power Glide Fullsuit models match up…
|
Promotion |
Promotion |
Orca |
QR |
Blue
Seventy |
Zoot
Sports |
Xterra |
|
FluidDrive |
PowerGlide |
Apex 2 |
Superfull |
Helix |
Zenith |
Vector
Pro X2 |
| Fullsuit |
Fullsuit |
Fullsuit |
Fullsuit |
Fullsuit |
Fullsuit |
Fullsuit |
$239.00 |
$289.00 |
$525.00 |
$550.00 |
$550.00 |
$600.00 |
$550.00 |
| Men's sizes: |
13 |
13 |
6 |
13 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
| Women's sizes: |
13 |
13 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
Variable Panel
Thickness. |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
Super Stretch
Inserts. |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Ankle Zippers. |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
no |
no |
no |
| Warrantee. |
lifetime |
lifetime |
n/a |
1 year |
1 year |
n/a |
2 years |
Wetsuits 101
What is the difference between the Fluid Drive, Power Glide, and After Burner
The Fluid Drive is our most popular design, with all the features you would want to find in a triathlon wetsuit. This model is made in a combination of 5mm, 3mm, and 2mm thickness.
The Power Glide is the same as the Fluid Drive with one exception; it has an extra glossy skin laminated on the exterior. This laminate we call GlideSkin. It is a slightly tougher exterior that resists abrasion and finger pressure tears. It also comes off quicker in transition.
The After Burner also made with a GlideSkin exterior, has the added feature of having “Adjustable Buoyancy”. This is achieved using optional buoyancy inserts of varied thickness (included), that fit pockets located inside the wetsuit, one on each front thigh. These inserts allow swimmers still working on technique to add or remove buoyancy as needed. The After Burner was designed for swimmers having a strong technique with a full kick, who do not need as much buoyancy in the legs. While the mid section still offers full buoyancy at 5mm thickness (without the inserts), the legs drop to 3mm in thickness.
How do wetsuits keep you warm?
A wetsuit is a snug fitting neoprene rubber suit designed to insulate you in cold waters. When you first submerge, differences in pressure force a thin layer of water between you and the wetsuit.
Your body heats this layer, while the neoprene insulates you from the outside cold. In a wetsuit under normal use, you will be completely wet on the inside…hence the term "wetsuit".
Is all wetsuit material waterproof?
A common misconception is that some wetsuit materials are not waterproof. Wetsuit material (also called neoprene) is a closed-cell product. It is completely waterproof. All wetsuit material comes laminated on the inside with a jersey for strength and ease of getting into. Some wetsuit materials come laminated with jersey on both sides. This is the material that causes misunderstanding as the neoprene (closed-cell and waterproof) is hidden between the two layers of jersey. In a wetsuit you may get completely wet, but this is not a result of water coming through the material.
How do wetsuits make you swim faster?
Neoprene material is filled with bubbles of gas. Besides providing insulation, these bubbles give neoprene incredible buoyancy. You can swim faster in a wetsuit because the neoprene lifts you into a higher position in the water. In this higher position you displace less water, which reduces drag and speeds up your swimming. Some wetsuit materials also have an outer surface slicker than human skin which can further reduce drag, but this is a minor performance aide as compared to buoyancy. As proof, Triathlon governing boards put no limits on what we can do to the outside of wetsuits, but some are strict on how buoyant (thick) a wetsuit can be.
USAT wetsuit rule
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wetsuits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council.
Why don’t other types of wetsuits work for swimming?
While just about any wetsuit will keep you warmer in the water, wetsuits built for other sports don’t work well for swimming. Sure, you could put one on and swim a few lengths of the pool, but even for semi-serious swimming they won’t cut it. Here are some of the most common problems:
|
Non-Specific Swimming Wetsuit Design |
|
Result of Poor Fit: |
| Restriction: Most wetsuits aren’t designed
with the arm mobility you need for swimming. |
|
You will tire quickly from working against the wetsuit. |
| Water Exchange: Some wetsuits look similar
to swimming wetsuits, but don’t have the special necks or armhole seals. |
|
Water flowing into the wetsuit slows you down, and
makes you cold. |
| Wrong type of seams: Less expensive wetsuits
use seams that can chafe, leak, and add drag. |
|
You’ll be uncomfortable, colder and slower. |
| Wrong Materials: Swimming wetsuits use special
neoprenes not found in other wetsuits. |
|
Even if you don’t care about speed, the flexibility
of swimming wetsuit neoprene is unmatched. |
How do I decide between a Fullsuit and a Sleeveless wetsuit?
Although we feel there are good arguments for both fullsuit and sleeveless models, warmth should be a very important part of this decision. With a Fullsuit, you gain additional warmth and buoyancy in the arms, but give up a little of that "free" feeling that comes with a sleeveless wetsuit. Sleeveless wetsuits give the best freedom of motion, but aren’t as warm. If most of your swimming is in waters above 65 degrees a sleeveless wetsuit should be fine. If you swim in water from the low 60’s to low 70’s you can probably use either style. If you swim in water that is consistently below 65 degrees, a fullsuit is probably your best choice. (Adjust these temperatures if you know you run warmer or cooler than most people.)
Which brand of wetsuit is faster?
Design is the most important difference between competing swimming wetsuit brands available today. This is because Hybrid wetsuit materials and state of the art construction techniques are available to most manufacturers in this business. Design is the only way a company can put their unique "stamp" on a wetsuit. At ProMotion we have been designing and testing our wetsuits for 25 years. As part of a continuing evolutionary process of design, each season we reevaluate our wetsuits as well as the designs of our competitors. If we come up with ideas having worthwhile merit, we go right into prototyping and testing. With each product upgrade you can be sure ProMotion Wetsuits are at the top of the design chain.
How does ProMotion design their swimming wetsuits?
With most of our customers being racing triathletes, our goal in designing our swimming wetsuits is to make our wetsuits the fastest available. An important consideration in this process is fit. Our pattern makers meticulously shape our wetsuits to be as close as possible to the form of your body. The result is that you rely less on the stretch of the neoprene for fit and movement, thus allowing you to swim with less effort. To take advantage of the new Hybrid wetsuits materials, we sculpt pattern panels of varied thickness placing them each can offer the most advantage. Thicker (more buoyant) materials are used to lift heavy parts of the body higher in the water. Thinner (more flexible) materials are used around the arms, shoulders, and across the back for unrestricted mobility. Finally features unique to each model are incorporated into each design to add that extra edge. You can read about these model specific product features by “clicking on” any product from our Products Page.
What about "Composite" neoprene?
Today’s top swimming wetsuits are made of wetsuit materials (neoprene) that offer low-density foam for added buoyancy. Our highly buoyant neoprene we label Type – “S” because it is also extremely stretchy. Our wetsuits on the outside are made smooth to reduce water friction. On some models we offer additional characteristics by laminating “GlideSkin” to the outside. GlideSkin further reduces friction while increasing durability. Manufacturers use a variety of coined names to describe this type of extra skin laminate.
What sort of a difference do these "composite" neoprene's make?
Most testing shows a 0-2% increase in speed for composite neoprene vs. the same suit made with standard swimming neoprene. Why doesn’t everyone benefit? There are a couple of factors involved. The increased buoyancy from a wetsuit tends to reward poorer swimmers more, by lifting them into a fast position that top swimmers get into with technique. On the other hand, Composite neoprene is tougher and rewards better swimmers. Those who are most efficient in the water will benefit more from the faster outer coatings. Our Advice? Unless you are a front of the pack swimmer, or hard on your gear, save your money. Body position will be your ticket to speed, and our standard triathlon wetsuits will float you just as high as our composite versions..
How long do wetsuits last?
Neoprene tends to lose some of it’s flexibility as it ages, so athletes who use a wetsuit just a few times a year will probably find that their wetsuit never wears out, but after 5-10years, it won’t feel as good as it did when it was new. If you are lucky enough to swim in a wetsuit a lot, you can expect to get 250-300 swims in a wetsuit before the neoprene slowly starts to degrade. Consistent exposure to Chlorine, Salt Water, and Sunlight will all shorten the life of neoprene.
How to care for your wetsuit.
Although wetsuits are mostly maintenance free, there are a few things you can do to extend the life of your wetsuit. If using the wetsuit in salt water, rinse the wetsuit with fresh water and drip dry on a wide hanger (plastic or wood). Do not leave your wetsuit drying in the sun, as the sun will age the material. Do not leave your wetsuit inside out after using. This may cause extra wrinkles or the material to stick to itself. Excessive use in chlorine (afterward...rinse with fresh water) may also age the material.
Unique ProMotion Triathlon Wetsuit Features...
Lifetime Seam Warranty:
All ProMotion wetsuits are covered by a Lifetime Warranty on seams.
Fin Skin Neoprene:
Special grooved panels on the outside surface channel and direct water flow. Fin Skin is used on the lower front shins to increase kick thrust.
Hyper-Stretch Panels:
In the past, the limiting factor to stretch in wetsuit materials was the jersey facing on the inside of the neoprene. New developments in fibers and weaving techniques have resulted in "Hyper-Stretch", that has 100% more elasticity.
Aqua Treads:
Raised treads in the underside of the forearm increase traction in the "catch phase" of your stroke (fullsuit models only).
Transition Helpers:
For triathletes, time made up in the swim is no good if it is lost in the transition area. Our suits feature a longer back zipper to help the suit over the hips. Sleeveless models feature ¾ length legs, with a hyperbola shaped leg opening for quick exits. Fullsuit models offer full length legs but include ankle zippers. A velcro (Leash-Stay-System) tab at the base of your zipper secures the zipper pull-cord keeping it out of the way when swimming, and makes it easy to find when you exit the water.
High Visibility Accents:
Upper body color added to aid in spotting swimmers by spectators and/or boaters.
Multi Density Construction:
By combining panels of varied thickness we are able to balance and control buoyancy and warmth with flexibility to optimize body positioning and performance.
GlideSkin:
A glossy exterior laminate that resists gouges and comes off quicker. Available on the After Burner Fullsuit and After Burner Sleeveless.
Comfort Collar:
Low friction coating used against the neck to reduce irritation, and a velcro closure on the back is used to adjust and close the collar.
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