Review: Blueseventy Reaction 2013 Wetsuit

Initial impression

Pink can be hard to pull off but Blueseventy has nailed it for the girls. Subtle hot pink stripes contrast well with the black suit. This wetsuit looks like what we would expect from Blueseventy sharp and cool, without excessive branding. Guys, your Reaction equivalent has the classic Blueseventy orange tones.

Features

Buoyancy

Targeted buoyancy is clearly something that Blueseventy have focused on with this suit. Like its sister suit the Helix, the Reaction is designed to encourage optimal body position. When trialling the suit, it was noticeable that the added buoyancy in the hip, leg and core areas encourages correct body position. But it successfully does this without limiting the swimmer’s kick. Too much buoyancy can result in the legs being too high in the water for an effective kick, but this didn’t feel like the case with the Reaction.

Flexibility

Turning the suit inside out you will notice the orange 4-way stretch lining fabric in the arms and underarm areas. It felt like there was plenty of flexibility to help keep my arm stroke like it would be in the pool, and without arm fatigue. I also noticed added flexibility behind the knees, which can assist those of you that are big kickers and find that wetsuits bunch behind the knee when it bends.

Zipper

A standard zipper means you will have no trouble getting into this suit. Add to this the lower neckline and you should feel no bulk or chafe around your neck.

Transition speed

The standard zipper offers the usual transition. No faster or slower and you will have no troubles getting this suit off. If you are still nervous about transition speed, the internal seem is designed so that you can even cut the length of the legs without damaging the function of the suit.

Sizing

It’s a snug fit and I can’t imagine water will get into any of the openings.

Calf panels and arm catch panels

The forearm panels are different from other suits I have seen. The forearm has a dimpled (but still flexible) texture for the catch part of your stroke, travelling right up to the elbow bend.

Why you want this suit

This reliable suit provides a good mixture of flexibility and buoyancy without the price tag of other suits. It looks good with its hot pink highlights and is extremely comfortable. This is a suit that could easily be a go-to suit for any triathlete, no matter what you are specifically looking for.