So what exactly is the difference between a full wetsuit and a sleeveless (Long John) wetsuit?
Charlie he
Project Development Manager at SK Outdoorz Manufacturer. We are Specialize in surfing wetsuits????♂?,spearfishing wetsuits??, scubadiving wetsuits??, freediving wetsuits????♂? and triathlon wetsuits????♂? since 2005.
1. Full suits are more buoyant
The extra rubber in the sleeves of a full suit makes it float more. The higher you are in the water the faster you’ll end up being. Another reason a full suit is more buoyant is because it lets in less water. It is virtually impossible to get a completely water tight seal around the shoulders of a sleeveless suit. The increase in water in the suit adds weight and reduces buoyancy.
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2. Full suits have less drag
As mention in point 1, the shoulder area of a sleeveless suit allows for greater water entry. This creates a parachute effect in the water and increases drag. More drag equals less speed.
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3. Full suits are warmer
Depending on where you swim or race this can be a big concern for you. The full suits are better for much colder water and early in the race season. For higher water temperatures, the sleeveless can be more appropriate. In high temperatures and long distances, some athletes can overheat in a full suit.
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4. Sleeveless suits are easier to get out of than full suits
Since there are no sleeves involved, the top part of the suit will come off very quickly. If you practice though, you’ll find that you can get out of the top half of your suit as you are coming out of the water.
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It is important to note however, that regardless of what type of wetsuit you get, fitting and sizing can be the difference between a suit that works, and one that doesn’t work. When it comes to buying a triathlon wetsuit, get the best fit and the one you feel most comfortable in.