Orca Breathe arrival and Trubridge Videos - update

[Buzz Numinous]

I use mr plastic bag not the ones that cam with it tho and they slip right thru it no problems

 

[noa]

Ok, thank you...
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[aris ioannidis]

Hi, sounds like orca suits are very popular! I am thinking about buying the Free...my goal would be to use it in competitions in the pool and in the sea (in Greece temp is about 27c surface and maybe 20-22c bottom in the summer)

Currently, I use a custom made 1mm full suit for the pool (with 5kg in neck and 1kg in belt) and a 3mm suit in the sea (in the summer)

I have three questions:

1) Could 2mm be too thick for the pool restricting movements (esp in DNF)?
2) Would i need extra weight compared to the 1mm i have now in the pool? (concerned it might be too much to have more than 6kg)
3) Does it keep you warm enough for sea temperatures below 20c?

many thanks

 

[dimitris33]

Hi Aris,

I've recently ordered the Breath (is on its way, should be here late Friday). It seems to me like a better option as it is a combination of 2mm and 1mm arms neopren rather than the whole body 2mm as on the Free.

I dont like much neopren on me so the thinner/warmer the better for me. I have an aqua sphere 1mm which is nicely warm and comfortable but seems that breath will be little bit warmer and more comfortable for the cold nights in open pool...

Breath is cheaper too! Hope to have it soon for close exam! ;-))

I have also the cressi glaros which is 2mm and I feel its quite thick for the pool. Need 4kgs (2neck 2 belt) whilst I need 3kg with the aqua sphere (2neck 1belt).

So in terms of weight I need 1 kg more on the 2mm suit (not much) but in terms of comfort 1mm is better for me.

 

[aris ioannidis]

thanks Dimitri. I think that for the pool 1mm is the way to go. Long sleeves help in gliding but limit somewhat shoulder flexibility. I am very happy with the tailor-made suit i have (Mantaray) but I may need to replace it soon. Might as well get a new one from there as the off the rack suits may not be best fit for me.

For depth i think the Orca Free is a good choice and nice alternative to tailor made suits. I have now a 5mm heywa suit which is great but a bit too thick for summer. Let me know what you think of the Breath - will c u in the pool! :chatup

 

[dimitris33]

As soon as I receive the new suit (its been two weeks now after Orca sent me the shipping confirmation) I will bring it on the pool for close exam!

If I ever received it.... Have already ask Orca to give me more info about shipping and they only responded that it takes two working weeks for delivery which is elapsed today with no delivery man knocking my door....

 

[Will]

Trust me - the Orca Free doesn't limit shoulder flexibility one bit. The way they have laid out the panels and the softness of the neoprene they've used means that there is only a marginal difference between not having a suit at all. I use it for maximal DYN and don't experience any significant shoulder fatigue. The Orca Breathe uses flatlock stitching on some of the seams, which may reduce flexibility just a smidge, but we're talking negligible differences.

 

[aris ioannidis]

Thanks WIll! I think I will buy the Free. May i ask, how much weight do you use in dynamics?

By the way, Congrats for the new FIM wolld record!!!

 

[dimitris33]

Appreciate if someone from Orca could help.

I have ordered my Orca Breath on March 29th through the official website.

On April 04th I have received an email from Orca that my order has been dispatched. My card has been also debited on that date.

Till date I'm still missing my order and I have been advised by Orca that orders need about 2 working weeks for delivery. I'm now on third week waiting and despite to messages sent to Orca I have no response from them regarding tracking numbers etc..

Is this normal or I'm very anxious..?

Have bought many times over websites and even with normal cheap shipping items were always here max within 10days.

 

[aris ioannidis]

and also if the may help me... i am interested in ordering the FREE.. should i get a size 9 or 10?... i am 1.91, 97k and 117cm chest...probably 10 i think... many thanks

 

[Elliott]

One more Size question: I´m 185 cm, 85 kg., 105 cm chest, 100 cm waist. What is my size? Thanks

 

[azapa]

use the size chart, it's pretty spot on IMHO

 

[aris ioannidis]

problem is when u r between two sizes : for me, chest says 10, weight says 9... should i buy the larger or the smaller one?

 

[dimitris33]

Quick review of the breath:

I finally received the package yesterday after a month of waiting. Package was crumpled so the suit was very crumpled too but with no damage or cuts fortunately.

I followed William's advice and took the smaller size as I was between two. I am 73.5kg 1.75cm and took size 6.

It was veeery hard to get in there. The legs were really high that is about in the middle of the shin bone and was afraid that suit might be damaged cause of too much stretch... Put the inside collar on, then arms and then needed a buddy to help me zipped reversed! This is a disadvantage for me as I always must have a buddy with me to zip me and sometimes I am alone in the pool or sea. It is impossible for me unless you are a real yogi to zip yourself. Fitting was tight..very tight... I had some skin marks on my elbows knuckles cause of the tightness as the end of the session.

In respect of thermal insulation it was ok. Almost similar to my aquasphere skin which is 1mm so I cannot say that the Breath is much warmer cause of the 2mm + 1mm construction or because of compression.

About the neck seal, traditionally I think that the neck weight is that which makes the difference. Have tried a 50m dynamic with monofin no weights to check the seal. Water was entering on the back. I put the neck weight on. I tried another 50m and this time seal was much better so I think the weight pressing the suit on the back of the neck makes big difference. Another issue is that the outside colar is low cut rather than high as my aqua sphere skin. Comparing the two suits in neck seal I can say that they are almost the same for me. The breath has a low outside colar and one inside colar which allow the neck move more free. Aqua sphere has no internal colar but have a high neck outside colar which seal very well but I cannot move my neck much free.

Another issue was the tightness after a 75m dynamic. When I surfaced I felt ok but after some seconds I felt like I could not breathed well cause of the tightness of the suit on me especially on the low thorax front position and felt uncomfortable. I hope the suit will stretch a bit as I feel that if I try a max attempt the recovery breaths will be very hard and uncomfortable with such tightness on me..

Last but very important was the glide. Glide is superb with this suit. Have first time made an 25m dnf with only 3arms/3legs while I needed 4arms/5legs or so with the other suits but generally I have to work on my technique. On Dynamic with monofin glide was superb too!

Generally it looks very good constructed and durable. Size chart is exactly what it says but I would have better took one size larger because for me compressibility and tightness is nice but comfort is a MUST on relaxation. Streamline position doesnt not limited. Sealing is good, gliding is very good because of compression, reverse zipper I think makes no difference in seal but only brings friends together! :friday

That was my first impression out of one pool session. if anything change I will report.

I just hope this suit to stretch a little…

 

[azapa]

Quick review of the breath:

It was veeery hard to get in there. The legs were really high that is about in the middle of the shin bone and was afraid that suit might be damaged cause of too much stretch... Put the inside collar on, then arms and then needed a buddy to help me zipped reversed! T

The instructions are a little goofy if I remember, i threw mine away :head

1. Put the legs on with thin supermarket baggies.
2. Then the arms with baggies too
3. Pull the arms way up into the armpits, you must not see tight neopreen in the armpit area, or the suit will be a bu..er to zip and will restrict movement
4. NOW PUT ON THE COLLAR and tuck in
5. Have buddy zip up

 

[Elliott]

Thanks "Dimitris33" for the nice review

Orca guide video, how to put on the Orca suit:

(Bought the Orca Free yesteday, looks fantastic, feels fantastic) No water on it yet, too much work

P.S. It is quite easy to get in the suit like this

 

[dimitris33]

Thank you azapa and eliot but,

I dont have a problem of putting up the suit, actually, I enjoy the good fitting of the suit but I just think that a size larger would be better for me as I was in the middle of two sizes and choose the smaller..that is the reason was much difficult to get in there comparable with my other suits (aqua sphere, cressi glaros, Blue70 Nero Comp, C4)

Compressibility because of the small size is my concern not too much on the arms elbows area but on the thorax as my recovery breaths after a 75m dynamic wasnt comfortable... I can imagine how difficult would be after a max attempt..

I hope after some sessions will stretch a little and be more comfortable.

 

[noa]

having used the Breath for a few sessions now, i'll throw in my first impressions.
like Dimitris i got a size 6, but i weight a little less at around 70kg for 178 height.
when i first got the suit, opened it and looked at the size, i had a chuckle "how in the world am i going to get into that ?". seriously, it looks like it belongs to a nine year old boy. with time and patience it goes on without any issues. however, like everyone says, it's TIGHT. and tight it's meant to be. there is of course a boarder between tight and feeling squashed, fortunately the tightness is ok for me.
the first time i put it in the water however, during warmup it did not feel that great as i felt fairly constricted around my chest. my breathing felt restricted and the first contractions felt stronger, as if they had nowhere to go. that worried me a little but i just kept at it to see how things would develop.
after two dives i already felt much better, as if the suit was starting to stretch and take my body shape, and by the end of the session it felt like a perfectly fitting second skin.
the next day, the suit felt really good from the first minute in the water. i guess i got used to the feeling and maybe it actually did start to stretch a little where needed (although i do not see how it could have happened so fast).
like i said it'd tight, not a needle will fit in there, but it's also perfectly fitted and makes you much more "compact".
the feeling in the water is that of being VERY streamlined and hydrodynamic. i really felt "slippery", as if i could glide through the water much better than before.
all in all the experience so far is very positive and i can only see advantages to the suit.
of course, there is no better test than that of time, so lets see how things shape up. so far though, the breath and i have had a very happy (and close...) time together underwater.

 

[chrismar]

Interesting. I use an MT (size 6, but for taller people) and I'm 80kg & 183cm. It fits well, but there's no way I'd want a bigger size. For reference, I used a size 5 Alpha and Apex2 as well. If you go too big, they become baggy in the shoulders when you streamline above your head.

 

[Mullins]

I'm still using the Alpha RS1 Orca made me for the 2008 world champs! 'bout time for a new one I think. If by some miracle I find one that seals around the neck, I'll use it for CWT too.

So Chris, if you find me looking you up and down with a critical eye, that'll be why.