Are there swimming wetsuits with built-in hoods? – Blueseventy usa

No Blueseventy swim or triathlon wetsuit has an built-in hood. That design selection is intentional. Integrated hoods are widespread in scuba and surf fits, the place you spend lengthy intervals stationary within the water. A swim-specific wetsuit has totally different calls for: you want to flip your head to breathe and sight, maintain the neck seal quiet, and get the swimsuit off quick in transition. Blueseventy retains the hood separate so you may add or take away head protection as situations change.

Why Blueseventy retains hoods separate

A hooded wetsuit hyperlinks your head to the swimsuit. Every time you flip to breathe, the hood tugs on the neckline. That breaks the seal, lets water in, and provides fatigue over an extended swim. A separate neoprene hood strikes along with your head, so the swimsuit stays the place it ought to.

Blueseventy’s design priorities level the identical approach. The Fusion acquired a lower-sitting neckline in its 2021 redesign particularly to scale back chafing with out dropping the watertight seal. The Helix and Reaction deal with shoulder and arm freedom. Adding a hard and fast hood to any of these fits would work in opposition to the vary of movement they’re constructed to ship.

What to put on in your head in chilly water

Use a separate neoprene hood or thermal cap. Pair it with the swimsuit primarily based on water temperature and your individual chilly tolerance.

Below roughly 56 to 58 levels Fahrenheit, a purpose-built thermal swimsuit provides significant heat. That is the place a neoprene hood earns its place. It covers the pinnacle and neck, the 2 areas the place warmth escapes quickest while you swim. Above roughly 70 to 72 levels Fahrenheit, most swimmers don’t want head protection, and a full swimsuit can really feel too heat on longer swims.

• Look for a hood with a comfortable face seal and sufficient stretch to permit a pure head flip.
• Try it on with the wetsuit earlier than you swim.
• The hood skirt ought to sit flat the place the swimsuit collar meets your neck so water doesn’t flush by means of the hole.

Blueseventy carries thermal equipment for cold-water swimming, so examine the present thermal vary for hood and cap choices.

Which Blueseventy wetsuit pairs finest with a separate hood

For chilly water, begin with the Thermal Reaction. It is absolutely lined with Zirconium jersey, an artificial wool lining designed to supply added thermal safety for cold-water swimming. Add a separate neoprene hood over it for head protection.

If you practice regularly and need extra sturdiness than a fragile race swimsuit, the Reaction is the subsequent possibility. It makes use of higher-grade neoprene than the Fusion and is really useful for longer, extra frequent swims. The Fusion works for shorter frequent swims, and its decrease neckline can sit extra comfortably below a hood skirt. The Sprint is the entry-level possibility if finances is the primary concern.

All Blueseventy wetsuits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell grades. Higher cell numbers imply extra flexibility. That issues when you find yourself turning your head inside a separate hood, as a result of the swimsuit has to maneuver with you.

If you race in chilly water, the Helix is the race-day swimsuit. Its skinny, versatile neoprene within the arms and shoulders is designed for complete race-day efficiency. Just know that the model itself notes the Helix isn’t superb for heavy coaching use as a result of that skinny neoprene will break down extra rapidly.

How to remain secure when including head protection

A hood provides thermal safety. It doesn’t change the principles of cold-water swimming.

• Acclimatize step by step throughout a number of swims.
• Swim with a buddy who can see you.
• Enter slowly and maintain early swims brief.
• If you are feeling confused, lose coordination, or can not get heat after you exit, get medical assist.

The hood and thermal swimsuit are designed to scale back warmth loss, however chilly water nonetheless calls for respect.

Are there Blueseventy swimming wetsuits with built-in hoods?

No. The sensible route for swimmers and triathletes is a separate neoprene hood. That provides you extra sizing management and allows you to go away the hood off in hotter water. It additionally retains the swimsuit as cell because it was designed to be.

If you might be constructing a cold-water equipment, begin with the Thermal Reaction and take it for a Test Swim. Blueseventy permits you to swim in a swimsuit and nonetheless return or trade it inside 30 days whether it is clear, dry, and unmodified.