The Best Eco-friendly Wetsuit for Triathletes

Introduction

Triathletes are not your ordinary kind of athlete, no matter their capabilities. Three arduous legs require discipline, dedication, and passion to succeed. It's not for everyone, but it's hard to let go when the training and the competition get into your blood. Every race is an opportunity to improve your personal best, and the butterflies are in your stomach as race day draws near. You know the feeling.

Many participants fail to appreciate how vital the swimming leg is. It sets the tone for the rest of the race when you think about it. The one thing with the swim is that you're not only up against competitors but the elements more than any other time. In this case, bitingly cold temperatures can close down your performance quickly. Also, coming out of the water shivering and numb can kill your cycling effort before it begins.

Not all triathlons offer you warm conditions. Indeed, some of the world's iconic competitions require wetsuits as essential equipment. This is where it gets pretty technical because there are wetsuits, and then there are wetsuits. They're not all made the same, and final selection requires understanding the product properties you need the most. No matter how well you have tuned up your body, if you go in with the wrong equipment, you're starting with a severe handicap. For example, deploying a surfer's wetsuit for a triathlon competition is possible but inadvisable. The latter is heavier and has less protection against the elements that count against you in an open water swim.

From another angle, think of your training. Even if you compete in tropical climates but live in a location where the water is cold, bracing yourself against the shock of freezing temperatures isn't pleasant. The bottom line is that picking your wetsuit to match all foreseeable challenges is the only way to put yourself on the right track. 

Wetsuits and the ecosystem

Wetsuit science has come a long way as manufacturers involved in triathlons, surfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, and water-skiing push for an extra edge to give users unique advantages. Triathlon wetsuits, in particular, are geared to provide professional competitors maximum benefits in terms of warmth balanced against flexibility. The sophistication has advanced in leaps and bounds in a sport that represents a vast following and a mind-boggling competency level.

One thing that one cannot ignore is the highly topical subject of "environment friendliness" when it comes to the materials that go into a wetsuit. Triathletes, in general, because they participate in the outdoors, appreciate the notions of clean air and water. Pollutants and environmental contamination are abhorrent to most of us involved in this sport, so the appeal of a wetsuit that checks all the functional boxes and is eco-friendly (at the right price, of course) makes ultimate sense.

One of the best eco-friendly wetsuits for triathletes

After extensive research, I came across an awe-inspiring brand.

Therefore, I present the Sumarpo option, not in a promotional sense, but as the ideal yardstick to measure others you connect with in your search. Use the metrics and standards outlined in this article to compare as you browse the web in search of your ideal wetsuit. I believe you'll find the features below meet the most exacting standards. Consider the following:

• The Sumarpo brand is made 100% from biodegradable limestone neoprene.
• Moreover, the manufacturers have adapted the latest technology (Aeroatom) that is way lighter than Aerodome neoprene used by most manufacturers. How do they do it?
  • It's thanks to honey-comb-shaped air cells melded into the neoprene in all the right places.
  • Verus Aeroatom, this feature makes Sumarpo's brand 30% more buoyant, thus creating elevated energy reserve in the legs and flexibility in the upper body.
• Sumarpo integrates other cutting-edge eco-materials with the superior athletic characteristics of the Aeroatom neoprene.
  • You can be sure when you slip into your Sumarpo wetsuit that the glues are biodegradable, and the producers only used recycled fabrics.
  • Many competitors claim all the above, but the only way to be sure is to see the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification that comes with every item. It also signifies that:
    • The technicals in the suit are water-based.
    • And benzene-free
    • Representing the ultimate in environmental protection.

Does eco-friendliness mean sacrificing performance?

Not at all,they go together like a hand-in-glove. I learned that eco-consciousness doesn't compromise performance one iota. On our yardstick brand (see above), the highest quality Yamamoto #45 neoprene combines with SCS NANO coating for the ideal balance of warmth and flexibility, even in the coldest temperatures. I found out that this, combined with a low collar design:

• Ensures against leaking
• Erases skin irritation

The producers have gone the extra mile to reduce surface drag, allowing the swimmer to conserve energy while thrashing through the water faster. Indeed, compared to traditional wetsuits, the water resistance when wearing a Sumarpo suit is as much as 60% less.

One of the significant challenges with a wetsuit is quickly getting in and out of it. In this case, there's a fabric called ECO-Slipskin lining that's so flexible it solves the problem convincingly. The technology in the suit digs eleven deeper:

• I noted a feature labeled as 3D GSP, which stands for "Grove Shape Panel," that legally assists your grip in the water, and therefore the smoothness of arm strokes (which in fifteen to thirty minutes of swimming are many).
• Also, the long strap biodegradable zipper at the back is a fine detail allowing the athlete to pull it up or down without the help of others.
• Finally, a unique leg-cuff design enhances the suit's flexibility when donning it.

Conclusion

So, we can see, your wetsuit decision is crucial to your enjoyment of training and competing in triathlons. Please don't take it lightly. By all means, investigate the market to find the design and eco-friendly features that meet your demands. To reiterate, I found the Sumarpo wetsuit provides excellent guidelines, checks, and balances for comparing one against another. What I liked most about it was you could own the entire package for less than $600 (affordability, performance, and unbeatable green consciousness). Good luck with your search; use this article to ensure you're buying a complete wetsuit package (with certification) that at least matches Sumarpo when the time arrives.