Skin for Dynamics

[trux]

I just checked the website of Orca, and see that they have already put the Orca Free wetsuit in their catalog. And it looks like you can order it. The price is impressive though - proud 469€! It is slightly cheaper for US customers - only $625. Knowing that this type of wetsuit does not hold longer than a few months, it represents a rather serious investment.

Orca Free Male, FREE, WETSUITS at Orca

Just curious, does anyone know for how much did William sell the suits now during the WC?

 

[Mullins]

The tri suits last quite a while Trux, I've been using my Alpha 1mm for a year now and it's in near-perfect condition. However I've been very careful with it, and it is a little large which means the seams aren't under much tension.

 

[trux]

Yes, you may be right that this suit may last little more (being thicker), but at my RS1 I wished I had a new one already some 6 months after I've purchased it. Well, I still use it now (after 11 months), so it si not completely unusable. I am also quite careful with it, so it has no serious damage, but water flows through it more and more. And I would definitely prefere having another one for competitions.

 

[Mullins]

Water coming through the seams?

 

[trux]

Perhaps not through the seams, but rather through the neck, arms, and leg seals. And also the fabric on the arm and shin pads is already quite loose, and not as stretchy as it used to be, and also slowly losing the maori designs

EDIT: That told, I am still quite happy I've bought it. And I did not expect any longer life-span from it anyway. Also, I should mention that I train in it up to 5 hours a week.

 

[DivingDane]

hmmm my RS1 full 1mm suit, just burst a seam big time at the base of the zip, given it is exactly the same age as trux's suit, ordered it less than a week after he got his, has been very good, but unfortunetly the rip is pretty big so will try and have it repared, also the "grip" on the arms is falling off. only been used in the pool and cleaned in fresh water and dried regularly..

but happy days just got an Arena Powerskin R-evolution full suit for $140AU delivered to australia as a guide that is less than $100US i think!!!!!!!!! not bad for an Olympic level suit, god bless FINA for banning these terrific suits for swimming, makes them obtainable for us mortals!

DD

 

[TimoP]

We have bought some full suits for dynamic from Orca, Speedo, Elios and BlueSeventy.

BlueSeventy (B70) has really something to offer to freedivers. Materials, seams, quality etc are very good. Even a Nero Comp suit from a thin material feels strong and a bit like a wetsuit altough it's a competition swimming suit.

As far as I know also BlueSeventy Helix is very good for freediving, but maybe more used in warm open waters.

It would be nice to hear more freediving experiences about different Blueseventy suits in pools (and in open waters).

 

[chrismar]

Blueseventy speedsuits are good in the pool and in warm (25+ degrees, YMMV) water. Mine has lasted better than my Speedo FS-Pro and is probably a better suit. Haven't used their wetsuits for freediving or swimming, but that's just because Orca sizing fits me better.

What exactly would you like to know?

 

[TimoP]

We have B70 Nero Comp suits for pool training, so we know that it's very good for training and DYN and DNF competitions.
Some use Helix in deep diving, but is it useable in DYN or DNF, too?
How about other B70 products?
They have many wetsuits. Swimming comp suits (2009 fullsuits) are sold out now or soon, cause they not allowed anymore in swimming competitions.

 

[chrismar]

I don't see why not. Kerian uses a Helix in DNF and I know it's pretty flexible, but I don't have any personal experience with them.

 

[titan]

how long lasted your nero comp swimsuit?

 

[chrismar]

I've probably worn it for a half dozen competition swims and around ten training sessions. It hasn't started to stretch yet, as far as I can tell. FS-Pro was definitely getting looser by that stage.

 

[TimoP]

B70 Nero Comp suit is amazingly strong...as a competition swimming suit. I've used it about 10 times, and it's like a new one. The material looks and feels like the outside material of the Orca RS1 (doesn't necesseraly mean that it's just the same = SCS?).
You can put it (especially the knee version) on more easily that the other competition swimming suits, because it's all over the same strong material without any weak parts.

 

[chrismar]

Outer material is chloroprene, possibly of the Yamamoto SCS variety. Basically it's a close relative to neoprene but harder and without bubbles or buoyancy.

 

[SofaKingDeep]

Hi Guys,

could you maybe tell me why everyone is focused on those Tri-Suits?
Have none of you considered an Elios Suit for DYN/DNF(bad experience?).

Because I'm just looking for a Dynamics competition and suit and contacted elios for that, their prime suggestion was:

1) Suit 1,5mm nylon elastic inside / Superskin Dark Grey outside Neoprene
Yamamoto 45 Freedown Price Euro 240,00 This is the better suit for
freediving indoor and dynamic apnea in warm waters, very very elastic,
Super-comfortable, extra-glide, durable and easy to wear like a t-shirt.
(extra-low water-resistance)


At least the Material should be similar to Orca's Alpha(Yamamoto 40 vs 45 differnece?).
Also the "water flowing into collar" issue should be resolved with a standard 2 piece Elios freediving suit with hood incorporated.
Also I'd imagine that the zipper less suit should be advantegeous, too?
Also Orca advertises their suits(at least the Alpha) with "Latest Yamamoto Aerodome" meaning it has more(30%) more buoyancy. Do you really want to carry more weights around your necks/hip?
I'm happy with my 5mm outdoor suit from Elios as well.

So tell me what am I missing? Where are the disadadvantages(water resistance maybe?)

*edit*
I fortgot to mention that it's also tailor made so it fits perfectly!?

 

[Will]

The Orca Free:
- resolves the water in the collar issue (patented Free Seal that deflects water and directs any residual water ingress back out the suit)
- has a zip constructed with water repellent tape, preventing water entering the wetsuit, and reducing drag
- uses 2mm Yamamoto 39 neoprene for flexibility without excessive buoyancy
- doesn't have a hood, maximising dive reflex and minimising buoyancy due to neoprene volume
- fits better and tighter (at least for me) than any tailor-made suit I've ever owned
- has glued AND stitched panel joints (durability), SCS coating (speed) and cunning panel layout (flexibility)
Orca Free Male, FREE, WETSUITS at Orca

 

[trux]

The new Orca suit sounds interesting, but frankly told at the price, and the time it lasts, I prefer spending the money on something more useful. For the 469€, I can buy almost four Aquasphere wetsuits, which are quite good too. Perhaps not as good as Orca Free, but at the life span the suits have, I'll be at east able to change them more frequently without ruining my family budget. And I know from many others that their opinion is the same, hence am afraid Orca won't make a top seller from this one, unless they start offering it for at least half the price. It is surprising they cannot even compete with manufacturers doing tailor-made suits. With their mass production capacities, they should easily beat any such competitor, even if I understand they invested some money into the development and testing. Well, they are used that triatlonists who can spend 20,000€ on a bicycle, have no troubles billing out 500€ twice a year for a wetsuit, but I am afraid that such people are rather an exception than rule in freediving.

 

[mattbigblue]

I must say Orca Free is too expensive for me as well.

Trux can You post a link to the Aqua Sphere wetsuit mentioned before??
I've never heard about it.

As far I was using Orca RS1 which was soooo good, I made with it some great DNF, CWT, CNF, FIM dives, but it didn't last long. Then I've bought Orca Alpha which was completely waste of money. At the moment I'm using B70 Nero Comp which is even better than RS1, but it won't last forever. It would be good to know some other cheap alternatives.

I can also recommend everyone B70 Nero Comp, this swimsuit is very durable and even after 10-15 sessions, I didn't notice any changes, it's still tight as a new one.

 

[trux]

Hi Matt, it is this one: Aqua Sphere - Aqua Skins - Men's Winter

In France very popular - I think almost 50% of competitors use it, including the representants. You can get it for some 120€ if you are lucky, but prices around 150€ are quite common. They used to have it quite cheap at the Vieux Campeur which is a chain of trekking stores in several French cities, but I did not find it on their website, though I think they still do have them on stock.

EDIT: even when you look directly at Aquasphere, on the link above, you can see the catalogue price is just $199 (146€). At resellers you often get it quite a bit cheaper. So for the price of one Orca Free, you can get indeed four Aquaspheres, which are not much worse, and from what I see at my club mates, they seem to be more durable than my Orca RS1.

 

[mattbigblue]

MENS Aqua Skin by Aqua Sphere - Triathlon Full Suit - UK Dive, swimming, snorkelling

is it one of those??
125 british pounds, that's not too bad!