When a wetsuit is not legal, a speedsuit is your BEST option for speed in the water. WITHOUT A SPEEDSUIT you are forced to swim with your tri gear or bathing suit, which creates drag and slows you down.

Of the tri events, I am weakest in swimming so I am always looking for an advantage to be a little faster and come out of the water a little fresher. Speedsuits get their names because they make you faster? Correct! For a weaker swimmer, I don't think that there is any better benefit than being faster, more buoyant and using less energy.

You will notice the benefits on the Velocity ++ in the open water. My body felt like it was riding higher than it normally does when just in a tri-suit. After starting to tire and as my kick slowed down, I could begin to really feel the benefit of the full length suit - especially in my legs. My feet were floating a little higher - just enough to help balance out my body a little more.

The speedsuit is “neutrally buoyant” in still water. However, as you start to swim tiny bubbles are captured on the surface of the material that have the effect of helping you float a bit. This is why the Nano-SCS material is so important. Furthermore, the faster you go (because of the slick coating on the speedsuit) the more your body gets into a streamlined position, like a boat that sits low in the water at slow speeds, but higher in the water the faster it goes.

So really all this means that you might come out of the water a little faster which is good. Well it does not stop there! When you are out of the water quicker, you are around faster cyclists and runners usually which is always a little motivation on the bike and on the run. Who ever would of thought that a speedsuit for swimming would make you a faster runner.

About the Velocity ++

The Velocity++ is not a neoprene wetsuit, but a slick, extremely durable suit comprised of the FASTEST material and coating available on the market. The NANO-SCS coating, with a drag coefficient of 0.021 (the lowest available), is used continuously throughout the speedsuit.

Other important features:
- No Lycra - because Lycra is drag
- Easy exit with flip-up zipper design (no leash needed)
- All frontal seams removed for less drag
- Compression-designed for better body positioning
- APPROVED through by USAT (USA Triathlon)
- Full coverage to just above the ankles

The Velocity++ is meant to fit over your tri-race gear. It is meant to fit snugly, especially at the chest, waist and hips. It should take you about 5 minutes to put on your suit and you will need assistance zipping it up. However, it will take less than 5 seconds to peel off because all you need to do is flip the zipper up and peel the suit off.

Cost ... There may be a bit of sticker shock at $350.00, but when you think about the price compared to most triathlon gear it's not bad at all. It will save you time, give you more confidence in the swim, and it my opinion make the swim a tad safer. Best of all pro, elite or beginners will all benefit from the technology.

From now until September 15, 2009 Xterra is offering $150.00 off both of their speedsuits. Just enter the discount "ohio" at checkout.

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