My Life With AE

Author: Andrew

  • 7 Best Triathlon Wetsuits for Beginners (From Someone Who’s Actually Raced in Them)

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I believe in.

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    If you’re new to triathlon and staring at a wall of wetsuits wondering what on earth you actually need, I’ve been there. I’ve raced in multiple wetsuits over the years — including the Roka Maverick, my current Zoot Maui sleeveless, and a Sailfish full suit I bought in a panic the morning of a race when I forgot my tri bag in Austin. All three taught me something different about what actually matters in a wetsuit.

    The short version: you need something that keeps you buoyant, doesn’t restrict your shoulder stroke, and doesn’t take 20 minutes to wrestle off in T1. Here are seven wetsuits I’d recommend to any beginner triathlete, based on real race experience and honest research.

    Quick Picks at a Glance

    Best overall: Roka Maverick Comp II (direct from Roka)

    Best budget: TYR Hurricane Cat 1 → Check price on Amazon

    Best for serious beginners: Orca Athlex Flex → Check price on Amazon

    Best for open water: BlueSeventy Reaction → Check price on Amazon

    Most comfortable: Speedo Fastskin LZR Openwater

    Best for arm mobility: Zoot Maui Sleeveless → Check price on Amazon

    The emergency purchase that surprised me: Sailfish (check your local tri shop)

    1. Roka Maverick Comp II — Best Overall

    Price range: $350–$450 | Best for: Sprint through Half-Iron distance

    I raced in the original Roka Maverick Comp for years: this wetsuit is fast. Roka builds with competitive swimmers in mind, meaning the shoulder panels allow a full freestyle stroke without the rubber-band feeling you get in cheaper suits. Buoyancy is strong at the hips and legs, and stripping it in T1 takes under 30 seconds once you get the hang of it.

    Who it’s best for: Any beginner who wants to buy once and not regret it. Note: Roka sells direct at roka.com — not available on Amazon.

    2. TYR Hurricane Cat 1 — Best Budget Pick

    Price range: $175–$200 | Best for: First-timers who want a quality suit without breaking the bank

    If you’re racing in Texas or Florida where water temps push the upper limits of wetsuit-legal, the TYR Hurricane Cat 1 is worth considering. Thinner than most suits so you won’t overheat, but still gives meaningful buoyancy assistance. At under $200 it’s one of the best value suits on the market.

    Who it’s best for: Athletes doing their first sprint or Olympic distance in warmer climates who want a solid suit at a great price.

    → Check the TYR Hurricane Cat 1 price on Amazon

    3. BlueSeventy Reaction — Best for Open Water

    Price range: $250–$300 | Best for: Swimmers who want more speed in open water

    The buoyancy panel placement is excellent — specifically tuned to help swimmers who tend to have sinking legs, which is common in runners-turned-triathletes. The outer surface also reduces drag in choppy open water.

    Who it’s best for: Runners or cyclists who came to triathlon without a strong swim background.

    → Check the BlueSeventy Reaction price on Amazon

    4. Orca Athlex Flex — Best for Serious Beginners

    Price range: $280–$320 | Best for: Athletes ready to invest in a suit they’ll race for multiple seasons

    Orca has been making triathlon wetsuits for decades and the Athlex Flex is their sweet spot for athletes who want premium performance without the top-tier price tag. It lifts your legs, doesn’t strangle your shoulders, and is built to last multiple seasons.

    Who it’s best for: Athletes who’ve done one or two races and are ready to upgrade to a suit they’ll grow into.

    → Check the Orca Athlex Flex price on Amazon

    5. Speedo Fastskin LZR Openwater — Most Comfortable

    Price range: $300–$380 | Best for: Athletes who find wetsuits claustrophobic

    Speedo brings their pool expertise to open water and the result feels less like a rubber band and more like a second skin. If you have wetsuit anxiety, this is the one to try.

    Who it’s best for: Athletes newer to open water who want a suit comfortable enough to actually enjoy the swim. Check your local tri shop or speedo.com for availability.

    6. Zoot Maui Sleeveless — Best for Arm Mobility ★ I Own This One

    Price range: $150–$200 | Best for: Swimmers who want zero shoulder restriction

    Full disclosure: this is the wetsuit I am currently racing in, so I can speak to it from direct experience.

    Going sleeveless means you give up a small amount of upper body buoyancy, but what you gain is a completely unrestricted freestyle pull. Zoot’s Neoskin neoprene is noticeably softer than standard neoprene, which matters for longer swims where chafing becomes a real issue. T1 transitions are also noticeably faster with less neoprene to strip.

    Who it’s best for: Strong swimmers who prioritize stroke efficiency, or anyone who has ever felt restricted by a full wetsuit.

    → Check the Zoot Maui Sleeveless price on Amazon

    7. Sailfish — The Emergency Purchase That Surprised Me

    Price range: $200–$350 | Best for: Athletes who want warmth without sacrificing mobility

    Here’s the story: I showed up to race in Dallas and realized I’d left my entire tri bag back in Austin. Race morning, no wetsuit. I walked into a local tri shop and grabbed the Sailfish full suit off the rack. It turned out to be a genuinely nice wetsuit.

    What impressed me most was the combination of warmth and mobility. Full sleeve wetsuits can feel restrictive across the shoulders, but the Sailfish panels are cut generously enough that I did not feel restricted in my stroke. The neoprene quality is noticeably above what you get at this price point.

    Who it’s best for: Athletes who race in cooler conditions and want full-sleeve warmth without the shoulder restriction. Check your local tri shop for Sailfish availability.

    What to Look For When Buying Your First Triathlon Wetsuit

    Fit comes first. Always use the brand size chart. Wetsuits should feel snug but not painful, with no air pockets in the torso.

    Full vs. sleeveless: know the trade-off. Full suits give more buoyancy and warmth. Sleeveless gives more arm freedom and faster transitions.

    Check the shoulder panels. Put the suit on and do a full freestyle arm rotation. If you feel significant resistance, the suit is too restrictive.

    Know the wetsuit rules for your race. In USAT-sanctioned races, wetsuits are legal at 78°F or below. Check your specific race rules before you buy.

    Practice in it before race day. At least 2–3 times. T1 in a wetsuit is a skill — practice it in training, not in front of 500 athletes.

    Bottom Line

    My personal rotation: Zoot Maui sleeveless for warm races where arm mobility is priority, Sailfish full suit when the water is cold. If I were buying a first wetsuit today I’d go Orca Athlex Flex to keep costs down, or Zoot Maui if shoulder mobility is your priority.

    Questions about fit, sizing, or which suit is right for your specific race? Drop a comment below.

  • From Diagnosis to Ironman — My Story

    My name is Andrew. In 2017, I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE), and more specific form called Central Nervous System Vasculitis (CNSV). This blog started as a way to document that journey. It became something more.


    In the winter of 2019, my neurologist told me my immunosuppressant wasn’t working the way it should. The decision was made to try a new treatment — one that would eliminate my B cells entirely. My doctor gave me a simple but serious instruction: work out 6 to 7 days a week and eat a healthy diet.


    As a previous marathon runner, I knew I didn’t want to run six days a week. Then one day, sitting at a stoplight, I saw a cyclist ride past with an Ironman logo on his jersey. I pulled out my phone and Googled ‘how long do you need to train for an easy triathlon.’ Twelve weeks was the most common answer. As luck would have it, there was a race twelve weeks out.

    That was the beginning. My first race was a Sprint — 400m swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run. I crossed the finish line and felt something I hadn’t expected: a deep sense of accomplishment. Not just from the race, but from everything that had gotten me there. I was hooked.
    “In the bad there is always something good. You just have to look for it.”

    Since that first race I’ve completed multiple Sprint distance events, a relay with my wife, and multiple half-iron distance races including Ironman 70.3 Memphis and most recently Dallas/Little Elm. I’m now building toward Ironman Jacksonville in May 2027.

    Triathlon training gave me something my diagnosis tried to take away: time to be alone with my thoughts, process what was happening, and build something healthy out of it.


    What This Site Is About


    My Life With AE started as a health blog. It’s evolved into something that reflects where I am now: a competitive age-group triathlete based in Austin, Texas, who happens to also be managing a serious autoimmune condition.

    I write about triathlon gear, race nutrition, training, and the products I actually use — because I’ve spent years figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and I’d rather you benefit from that than start from scratch. I have 10+ years of racing experience, I’ve competed in events from Super Sprint to Full distance, and I’m training to complete my first full Ironman.

    This site contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’ve personally used or researched thoroughly.

    Where to Start


    New here? Start with these:
    → 7 Best Triathlon Wetsuits for Beginners (From Someone Who’s Actually Raced in Them) – My Life With AE
    → What I Actually Eat During a Triathlon (My Race Nutrition Stack)
    → Best GPS Watches for Triathlon (Tested Over 10+ Years of Racing)

    Disclaimer

    I’m not a doctor or medical professional. I’m just a guy who has been dealing with a difficult disease and wants to raise awareness the best way he knows how — by doing something, and bringing people along for the ride.