2XU V:1 Velocity wetsuit review

Article by Jonathan Hammond

Johnny, 43, is an age-grouper Triathlete now in his 4th year of sprint & olympic distance Triathlons, Aquathlons & Duathlons. He's also a keen cyclist and competed in last year's Etape 2008.

At the lake this morning, I decided to try out a 2XU Velocity V:1 wetsuit as my old E:1 Elite wetsuit is starting to look a little tired after 3 or 4 seasons of use.

Whilst the award-winning 2XU V:1 wetsuit has been around for a few years, it’s not as expensive as the new 2XU Project X suit and is crammed full of features. It’s a good looking suit too, with its distinctive high velocity strakes, which look like something off a computer chip, running up the torso and strategically placed on the chest.

Pulling on the suit for the first time, I noticed how the neoprene was more flexible and seemed to stretch much easier than any of my previous wetsuits, especially around the shoulders, which are made of 1.5mm 40 cell rubber. And, once on the medium sized suit (I’m 5ft 9 and 72kg), fitted perfectly.

As soon as I got into the lake the suit let in no more than a fine film of water. With the first few strokes my shoulders found a freer range of movement that I’d not experienced before with my other wetsuits – my other older Orca and 2XU suits are all stiffer around the shoulders and never gave me the flexibility I wanted.

With increased movement in the shoulders, I felt more agile in the water and I immediately noticed that my ‘catch’ was more powerful, engaging the water in a strong and purposeful way. I’d heard about the forearm ‘paddles’ on the V1 suit and sure enough the ‘CWEZ: Concave Water Entrapment Zone catch panel strips’ definately increased the feel of the water. After spending many a winter training session using Speedo power paddles, I could feel the extra purchase on the water from these panel strips.

At first, the suit didn’t feel quite a bouyant as my previous suits but as I got used to the hydrodynamics of the V1 suit, I started to slice more efficiently through the water with improved body rotation (helped perhaps by the rollbar region in the suit).I found that I couldn’t leave my legs to trail behind me quite as much as my other suits and needed to have a more powerful kick. But, as soon as I stopped being lazy with my kick, I felt an increased surge in the water – the V1 has Propulsion panels on the shins, which apparently enable a more stablised power from the kick – and, to be honest, I could really feel the benefit of these panels.

Once I’d warmed-up and got into my rhythm I started to settle into the suit and enjoyed what almost felt like a paddle strength session, pulling hard on the water with each stroke, with a more balanced and efficient body roll through the water.

With a price tag of £440 rrp, I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed, or even understoond the benefits of this suit as a beginner but now that I’m a stronger swimmer and have a better understanding of swim technique, the 2XU V:1 Velocity suit is without a doubt a worthwhile investment to consider.

Whilst I didn’t record my times, I definately felt quicker and tired less at pace. Having said that my lats killed aftewards – always a good sign of a strong session.