Review: 2XU Project X:2 2013 Wetsuit

Initial impression

The gold and black stand out. Immediately your attention is drawn to the panels on the front of the suit and on the forearm. First impression this suit pulls off looking super cool.

Features

Buoyancy

Buoyancy is a dominant feature of the Project X:2. Being from a swimming background, where I arguably need less buoyancy, I was curious to try what seemed to be an extra buoyant suit. The front of the suit has buoyancy panels and these certainly achieve what they were intended for. I felt myself sitting high in the water. The targeted buoyancy panels will assist triathlete swimmers with a higher body position in their open water swimming.

Flexibility

Plenty of flexibility with this suit. 2XU have shown that you can have buoyancy plus flexibility. The removal of seams in places where we need extra movement (shoulders) seems to aid in this flexibility.

Zipper

A standard zipper, however, 2XU offer a floating zip panel, which means no seams at the back to restrict movement in the back area.

Transition speed

The neck seal is simple to operate so no problems there. I raced in this suit and it came off very easily in T1, just need to be aware of those catch panels when pulling at the arms.

Sizing

Standard sizing. SM for me. I liked the corset type feel when I put it on it hugged my body, almost reminding my core to switch on for the half ironman swim I was about to do.

Calf panels and arm catch panels

The catch panels on the forearms are a standout feature of this suit your friends will comment on this! The technical terms for the catch panels is the concave water entrapment zone. To the touch, the panels on the forearm are very stiff, almost like you have a paddle to assist with your power.

The panel on the calves is ribbed and has a titanium alpha coating to increase blood flow.

Why you want this suit

Buoyancy! If you are a triathlete who could use some extra help in the water with body position (which many triathletes do need), then you will see immediate benefits from this suit. Many other features of this suit are worthy of note, but for me the standout is buoyancy. I won the swim at Augusta 70.3 in this suit, so maybe it will be fast for you too.