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Wetsuits – buy or hire
As we head into the triathlon events season, it’s time to start thinking about heading into the open water, and that means getting a wetsuit.Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, it’s worth weighing up the options with regards to hiring or buying. If you’re totally committed and swim regularly in open water then buying a wetsuit will probably be more cost effective for you, however if your open water swimming is restricted to events only, then you may find that hiring, either as a one off for each event or for the whole season, is a better budget friendly option for you.
We’ve had a look at the market for you, and have these suggestions. (Please note that thetrilife.com does not represent or endorse any of these brands or companies, and our findings are based on our own research only).
Hiring
Wetsuitsforhire are a Bournemouth based wetsuit hire company that will courier a wetsuit to you for just £5.95. They have a range of men’s, women’s and children’s wetsuits available, including Speedo tri specific wetsuits. Hiring for the full season (March to September) is an option, from around £59.99 – £89.99. Or alternatively wetsuits can be hired for a number of days or weeks, with two days being around £15-£20 and a week ranging from £19.99 upwards (with increments of £10 per extra week of hire). No deposit is required, and if after you have hired your suit you wish to keep it, they will offer you a buy back offer for your suit.
Mywetsuithire (Reading based) offer over 50 different westsuits from the most trusted brands and have rates of 2 week hire from £29.95 and full season hire from £59.95.
TriUk have a very transparent hiring option available – hire fee for each wetsuit is £39.99 and the suit should be returned by 30th August 2017 (you can extend to 30th September 2017 for an additional £10). Postage & packing for each wetsuit is £9.99. Upon hire a refundable deposit is payable of £75.00 (The suit must be returned to TRI UK in the same condition it was sent out in or charges will be incurred).
Should you decide that you want to keep the wetsuit, the Hire Fee (£39.99), Deposit (£75) and Postage (£9.99) cover the full value of the Wetsuit (£125) so you just let them know, they keep your deposit and you keep the suit.
Buying
Racezone3 have a range of wetsuits available but one particularly to note is the Advance (available for men and women), which at £169 is noted as “high quality materials and features not normally seen at this price point”. The Advance wetsuit is perceived to be one of the best entry level suits on the market and has received much acclaim in the triathlon world with 220 Magazine awarding the suit 92% and its coveted Best Buy award. Also available is the Evolution Swimrun Wetsuit (£345) which has been created to include flexibility, comfort, buoyancy and functionality to ensure you can transition between running and swimming effortlessly. This wetsuit is full of innovative features and this was recognised by 220 Triathlon Magazine when it was shortlisted for their ‘GAME CHANGER OF THE YEAR’ award.
My Triathlon is the sister company to My Wetsuit Hire and offer the choice of brand new wetsuits or ex-rental wetsuits to purchase. Ex-rentals start at around £80 so these are a great option if you are on a limited budget, and their range of new wetsuits starts at around £140 rising to £650 for the high end HUUB wetsuits.
Wetsuit Centre are the UK’s largest water sports attire outlet, so you are guaranteed to find a product that meets your requirements, no matter what your sport is or what time of year. They stock a wide range of sizes and they have triathlon suitable wetsuits from £99. They’re based in Bournemouth but deliver throughout the UK, for free or low courier charges.
