Swim Stuff
Deboer Floh 1.0
$2,022 With a price tag that sits around a couple of grand (the Canadian price will fluctuate based on the U.S. suggested retail of $1,499), this suit had better be pretty amazing, right? It is. Test swims in North Bay, Ont. at the beginning of October should serve as ample evidence that the Floh 1.0 easily lives up to the company’s claim that it’s designed for “those willing to brave colder temperatures (down to 12 C).”
It is uncanny how the suit manages to keep you warm in cold water, though, since it doesn’t feel even remotely bulky. In fact it is remarkably easy to get on – the super light 44Cell HBF-Limestone WhaleSkin neoprene and CB coated, Hydrophobic Super-Stretch lining is extremely supple and comfortable. When you first put the suit on you feel like the DolphinSkin neck closure is way too low, especially at the back, but once you’re in the water you’ll be shocked at how good a job the design does to keep water from flowing into the back of the suit.
Deboer suits pull out all the stops, adding all the bells and whistles that founder Alex Deboer learned through his years of wetsuit development with Dare2Tri. The Floh 1.0 has got all of those, including 1.5-mm Ultraflex shoulder and arm construction that ensures lots of flexibility in the shoulders. The 5-mm 48Cell Airfloat Stability Panels both keep you buoyant and in a perfect position in the water. Add features like 3-mm Aquagrip panels, GlideSkin Surface coating, a YKK Stainless Steel bottom-up runner zipper and you have one impressive wetsuit – no wonder athletes like Jan Frodeno and Daniela Ryf have chosen to partner with the company. You even get a specially designed wetsuit bag for protecting the suit during transport and for storage.
For those looking for the ultimate in wetsuits and are likely to hit some very cold water, the Floh 1.0 is definitely the suit you’re after.
Phelps Neon Elite Training Suits
US$40–70 The bright neon colours ensure you’ll be noticed the next time you hit the water. Whether you’re in the women’s Neon Racing Back or the men’s Brief or Jammer, you’ll enjoy the benefits of the breathable and fast-drying Italian-made Aqua Infinity Fabrick that offers over 200 hours of chlorine resistance. You can get your neon pattern in a 6.5- or 14-cm brief, or a jammer style, while the women’s racer-back style is both sleek and stylish.
TheMagic5 Goggles
STARTING AT $88 Another pick of three-time Kona and Olympic champion Jan Frodeno, these custom-fit goggles are every bit as comfortable as the price tag suggests they should be. During the ordering process you use a mobile app to do a facial scan. From there the folks at TheMagic5, who are based in Charlotte, N.C., build custom goggles that match the contours of your face.
Since the goggles fit so precisely, you can wear them more loosely than you would other swim goggles, which can be quite disconcerting at first. Resist the urge to tighten them up, though, and you’ll be completely hooked – the goggles are incredibly comfortable and don’t leak. You’ll have no problems wearing them for the longest swim sessions, whether in a pool or open water. You can custom order TheMagic5 goggles with a variety of tints – we tried out the Blue Magic for indoor sessions, while the Blue Magic Mirror Gold were excellent for open-water swims on sunny days.
Dare2Tri MachV5
$1,049 Featuring 0.5-mm Duraflex sleeves that are tear-proof (forget those days of punching a hole in your suit trying to get it on) and allow lots of free movement in the shoulders, along with specially designed Airfloat panels to put you in a great position high up in the water, the MachV5 can help you to nail the first leg of your next tri. The suit, which uses lightweight 44Cell HBF-Limestone neoprene, incorporates Glideskin Technology to help you slide through the water, while the Teflon lining helps with buoyancy, comfort and hydrodynamics.
The MachV5 includes many of the features seen in the deluxe Deboer wetsuits like 3 mm Aquagrip panels, a YKK Stainless Steel bottom-up runner zipper and the unique comfort-closure collar.
Zoot Bolt
US$500 There’s so much more to this suit than just its great looks. Designed for triathletes who aren’t as comfortable in the water, the Bolt provides excellent buoyancy for a high body position, just like expert swimmers. The suit uses Yamamoto Aerodome rubber and gender-specific ergonomically shaped panels to help you achieve that optimal position, while the flexibility around the shoulders and arms thanks to the 1.5-mm thick rubber ensures you can get the most out of each stroke. The smooth nylon liner is very comfortable and the low-profile neck does a great job of keeping water from flowing through the suit. You also get a protective storage bag for the suit to keep it in good shape while travelling.
Arena Pandas Reversible One-piece
$95 You can pick your style for your next swim session with the Pandas Reversible – always lovable panda bears or pretty palm trees. Style is just one of the benefits here, though – the MaxLife fabric is chlorine-resistant, but also provides a super comfortable fit and maintains its shape through the training season. The quick-drying fabric also offers UV protection for summer training. The snug-fitting suit has open-style, skinny straps and a high-cut leg, so you’ll enjoy full range of motion.—KM