2XU Propel Wetsuit Fully Reviewed for Quality
Whether you are new to triathlons or you are an experienced racer, the 2XU Propel Wetsuit is the perfect wetsuit for you for the first leg of the race. The inexpensive wetsuit is the ideal choice for anyone. The stretchy neoprene materials allow for fantastic flexibility so you can move more freely and comfortably while in the water. You will not have to worry about feeling restricted in your wetsuit, and you can focus on your speed and the race ahead of you. The SCS coating that covers the suit helps decrease any resistance when putting it on or taking off, which is always a bonus. You will not have to worry about the suit being difficult to remove when you are moving on from the swimming leg of the race, as you do not want to waste precious seconds trying to remove your suit. The 2XU Wetsuit is also going to give you increased buoyancy and help you achieve the optimal swimming position for more speed and better comfort. Everything about this wetsuit is made to provide you with the best chance at doing your very best no matter what you are using it for.
Keep reading our in-depth 2XU Propel Wetsuit review to find out if it is worth the investment.
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Extremely flexible
- Lightweight
- Great buoyancy
- Not many color options
- Not a lot of size options
Use
The wetsuit itself is made with a roll bar that will help increase your buoyancy; it also gives you 39 cell buoyancy panels to help keep your body at an optimal position for swimming. The super lightweight and flexible wetsuit will not hold you back when you are wearing it, giving you the added support you need in the water, especially when you are swimming for speed. When you are participating in a triathlon it is essential to move as quickly and efficiently as possible; you know that seconds matter when it comes to the race.
The great thing about this wetsuit is that it is easy and convenient to remove, which is essential. You do not want to finish the swimming leg of your race and have to spend too much time trying to get out of your wetsuit. The 2XU Propel Wetsuit features a floating zip panel which makes it easy to not only move while you are in the suit but to also remove the suit quickly and easily. The suit itself is has a thin coating on it (SCS coating) that also assists in the ease of removing it. Those couple seconds you save removing your suit can make a massive difference in the race.
All of that being said, a wetsuit is a wetsuit and can be used for so much more than just the swimming part of a triathlon. This wetsuit is worn by athletes of all different kinds of water sports such as surfing, diving, windsurfers, and so much more.
Breathability
When it comes to wetsuits, it is not so much about how breathable the materials are; it is more about how warm the suit can keep you in the cold temperatures of the water you are swimming in. The 2XU Propel Wetsuit gives you incredible insulation allowing you to swim comfortably in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celcius). The wetsuit has a thickness of 5 mm in the upper chest and lower back and a 3 mm diameter in the lower torso, upper back, and legs. The arms have the thinnest layer of neoprene at only 1.5 mm throughout.
Comfort
The suit features intermediate zone stretch (IZS) panels throughout it to give you a more fluid movement. 2XU also uses transition panels and overlapping seams to help reduce the pull. The inner lining of the suit is made to give you 520% stretch to increase the lateral flexibility. Everything about this suit is made to keep you comfortable and unrestricted.
The floating zipper panel on the back of the suit is another customer favorite. When you are wearing a wetsuit, there is only so much stretch you can get from the end of the suit, as the materials may stretch but the zipper does not. There is almost always a little tightening in the back due to the lack of elasticity of the zipper.
That being said, the 2XU Wetsuit uses a floating zipper panel which significantly reduces that slight restriction you get from the pull of the zipper. 2XU gives you this freedom by allowing the zipper to move in unison with the body, especially when you are in the recovery and catch phase of your stroke which requires your wetsuit to stretch along your back.
Size
The 2XU Propel Wetsuits are gender specific and have sizing options for both men and women. Women's sizes come in extra small through extra large, offering an excellent opportunity for the small size. The men's available sizes are extra small through XXX-large, offering tall sizes in small through large.
2XU does provide you with a sizing chart, and it is highly recommended that you follow the chart, using your height and weight, to find the best size for you. When following the chart, however, the weight is a little bit more critical of measurement to worry about than the height. You are going to want to make sure that you can fit your body into the suit. If it is a little to short in the arms and legs, it is not going to matter too much, as that will not make a difference in the efficiency of the suit.
It is highly recommended that you follow 2XU's size chart and suggestions on the fit of the suit because if you get one that does not fit properly, then it is going to be uncomfortable and could work against you when you are trying to swim for speed.
Durability
This wetsuit has seamless shoulder and arm panels that not only increase your flexibility but also increase the lifespan of the suit. The suit has fewer seams than some other ones on the market, and where there are seams, they are reinforced and utilize overlapping seam technologies to make sure that you are not going to get any wear and tear. The stretchy materials of the 2XU Propel Wetsuit give you such excellent flexibility that you will not have to worry about pulling the suit too much and causing tears in it. The suit is made to last.
The suit will not need to be replaced very often so long as it is taken care of and stored correctly. It is recommended that this suit be washed in cold water and hung to dry. It is also essential to store your wetsuit correctly to increase its lifespan. You do not want to wad your suit up into a ball and throw it in your gym bag and forget about it, as that will cause rapid deterioration of the suit and you will have to replace it sooner.
You are going to want to make sure that the suit is completely dry before you store it anywhere. It is recommended that you put it on a hanger and hang it up, if possible. If you are limited on space, however, you can fold it and store it in a dry container until you are ready to use it again.
Accessories
That will help keep sand off of and out of the suit when you are taking it off or putting it on which can cause some premature wear and tear if you are not careful. Some customers also purchase boots and or gloves to wear with their suit when they are participating in individual water sports.
Style
However, women can also choose a black and pink peacock color scheme, and men can purchase black and flame orange. No matter what color you choose, the suit is mostly black with some color accents (depending on the color scheme you purchase). The 2XU logo is printed sideways on the chest of the suit and P:1 Propel is written on the opposite front of the hip area, both written in white print. The design is plain and simple, not too flashy, and customers can appreciate that.
Price
That being said, yes, the wetsuit is relatively low cost compared to other similar suits, but that does not mean that it is not going to be an investment. The MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of the 2XU Propel Wetsuit comes in at $299.95, but as with most anything nowadays, you can usually find it on sale online somewhere. Keep in mind, however, that you will not have to make this purchase very often as long as it is taken care of properly.
Key Features
-SCS coating is nice for greater ease in putting on and taking off the wetsuit
-Buoyancy panel in the front for maximum buoyancy
-Great insulation with neoprene thickness ranging from 1.5 mm to 5 mm
-Floating zip panel
-520% internal stretch lining for better flexibility
-Rollbar for better core buoyancy and body position
-Concave water entrapment zone