How to Choose The Right Wetsuit

Choosing the right wetsuit can make or break your time in the water - and with so many options out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you're a seasoned open-water swimmer, a triathlete chasing a PB, or just getting started, the right fit matters. Orca has built a reputation as one of the most trusted names in performance wetsuits, and their range covers every level and discipline. In this guide, we break down the full Orca wetsuit lineup so you can find the perfect match for your swimming style, budget, and goals.

For Triathletes

At The Sports Room, we stock the Athlex series - wetsuits crafted for triathletes, refining their technique and the Apex series which incorporates cutting-edge materials for peak performance. Both the Athlex and Apex are subdivided into Flow, Float and Flex depending on what type of swimmer you are. 

When You Need Extra Buoyancy

The Athlex Float wetsuit combines high buoyancy with high elasticity, resulting in a very balanced wetsuit for swimmers who need added buoyancy to correct their positioning in the water. Thinner upper body and thick leg materials allow swimmers to tackle triathlons with confidence. 

Praise for the Athlex Float: excellent value and natural buoyancy - Triathlon 220. This suit is also one of Triathlete Magazine's favourite sleeved wetsuits - alongside the buoyancy especially in the legs, thanks to the 4.5mm neoprene in the lower part of the suit, which tapers to a thinner and more flexible material in the upper body they particularly like the laser cut neck and key pocket. Great wetsuit for the price with Triathlete naming it best budget wetsuit.

The Apex Float is the most buoyant in the Orca range and is a wetsuit engineered for triathletes who need to conserve energy or need extra support to correct swim posture. This suit has 3mm thinck material in the torso and 5mm in the legs. This distribution of materials helps give you a neutral buoyancy helping you maintain a stable, horizontal posture even as fatigue sets in during long-distance swims. 

When You Need Flexibility

The Orca Apex Flex wetsuit is the most flexible of the entire range. it is designed for the most technical swimmers, those who benefit from more flexibility and do not need extra buoyancy. This is a fast wetsuit for the best open water swimmers - it almost feels like you are not wearing a wetsuit. Hydrophobic materials and a shorter zipper may even help you shave seconds off your time! Praise: Triathlon 220 showcased the Apex Flex V2 for its unparalleled stretch.

Triathlon 220 also praised the Athlex Flex V2 for its lightweight construction and flexibility. If you've mastered your swim technique, maintain a good position in the water without needing added buoyancy in the legs and have experience in the open water, the Athlex Flex allows you to swim without restriction thanks to the high elasticity in the upper body. 

For More Advanced Athletes

If you have a good technique in your swim stroke but need support and buoyancy to correct your position in the water, the Apex Flow is the wetsuit for you. Swim freely and faster in the most advanced wetsuit in the Orca range, thanks to its unique flexibility and buoyancy. This suit features some of the best materials and technologies on the market. It is designed to maximise the elevation of the legs, helping to correct posture and keeping the body in the most hydrodynamic position possible. Triathlon 220 were impressed with this wetsuit's integrated advanced technologies.

For Entry Level Open Water Swimmers

The Vitalis range of wetsuits are perfect if you are starting swim in the open water or are getting ready for your first long event. Outdoor Swimmer Magazine highlighted the Vitalis TRN as an ideal suit for spring and summer training thanks to its lightweight and flexible design. I have one of these wetsuits myself as I signed up for the Beach to Buoy and and Open Water Skills courses in Wicklow Harbour. It's an easy suit to put on and take off, it kept me at a comfortable temperature in the water for well over an hour and most importantly it was nice to swim in. Women's Running Magazine have give the Vitalis Hi-Vis Wetsuit a 'best in test' glowing review. Choose between regular, hi-vis and shorty options. If you're a breaststroke swimmer, there's a wetsuit for that swim style too! 

Whatever type of swimmer you are, there's an Orca wetsuit for you. And of course, lots of neoprene accessories too! Why not pop into The Sports Room in Wicklow Town where you can find your perfect fit and avail of our expertise in store.