Which wetsuit to choose depends on the type of swimmer you are
Beginner swimmer/casual swimmer, you have a swim time of more than 1:50/100m and you want to be comfortable. This suit will make you faster than swimming without a wetsuit (3-5 sec/100m). A more expensive wetsuit may not benefit your comfort level, or swim time – Go for FUSION
Intermediate swimmer you have a swim time of 1:30-1:50/100m or faster. You have a stroke technique with good body rotation, arm extension and hip drive. You want a wetsuit that can be used for training and racing that makes the most
of your technique – Go for REACTION
Advanced swimmer if you have a great swim stroke technique, body rotation, hip drive and arm extension and you swim 100 meters in 1:25-1:30 or faster you will benefit from this suit. The unparalleled buoyancy and shoulder flexibility are what make this suit the top choice among professional triathletes.
You can afford to keep the Helix as a race suit, or are aware that due to it’s greater flexibility the Helix may not be as durable compared to the Reaction – Go for HELIX
For beginners, or casual swimmers (100 meters slower than 1:50) a Fusion is a great suit. Any suit will make you faster because of the buoyancy (in most cases about 3-5 seconds per 100 meters). The more expensive Reaction, or Helix is unlikely to make you faster than a Fusion. The Fusion has more lift under the hip bones which is good for a swimmer with sinking hips/legs, but ends up impeding a swimmer with good body rotation and hip drive.
For people who swim 100 meters in 1:30-1:50 or faster. This suit has great flexibility, body rotation and arm reach. With less lift under the hipbones than the Fusion, it allows for more body rotation and hip drive if you have already mastered this technique in your swim stroke. This suit is more robust in terms of wear and tear than the Helix, with a very similar feel.
For people who want a fast race suit.
Swimmers who have a great swim stroke technique, body rotation, hip drive and arm extension and swim 100 meters in 1:25-1:30 or faster will benefit from this suit.
The Helix has greater buoyancy than the Reaction and Fusion for two primary reasons:
1) the use of Aerodome Neoprene in the chest, core, and thigh areas. Aerodome offers the most buoyancy due to the air pockets sandwiched between sheets of neoprene.
2) the LIFT panels (Layered Insulation Foam Technology) located on the back of the Legs and Hip areas. The foam panels are more buoyant than the neoprene which increases overall buoyancy.
The unparalleled buoyancy and shoulder flexibility are what make this suit the top choice among professional triathletes.
However the increased flexibility and 39 and 40 cell neoprene also makes this a more vulnerable suit to wear and tear and damages. Therefor it is best to be kept as a race suit.
If you’re not sure, try out two suits from our demo range
Fusion v Reaction, or Reaction v Helix.
Feel the difference and compare your swim times.