Monday, August 17, 2009

Wetsuit Choices And Rocket Science

While travelling the country and visiting retailers from all regions it has come to my attention just how big an impact our redesigned '09/'10 wetsuits have been making on both the retailers and the consumer.

Where we have sold our wetsuits next to other top brands and had customers try on all, we go out the door 95% of the time over other brands for fit alone. The other 5% have admittedly been because of brand loyalty or wanting a wetsuit worn by the person's "hero" even though they thought our suit felt better.

The most important aspect to purchasing a new wetsuit is fit. If the wetsuit doesn't fit, not all the flashy graphics or rocket science will help. If you aren't comfortable, you won't be happy, and you may not even want to train in it. So what good would it do!

Our honest advise is to try on many different wetsuits and buy the one that you are most comfortable in. Only after proper fit can you look at the technology behind the suit. There are many small variations one can build into a wetsuit, but when it comes down to it the technology of triathlon wetsuits has been largely stagnant for some time.

Enter the new player, Rocket Science Sports. Marcin Sochacki who is the founder and primary designer gives us many distinct advantages.
1. Marcin grew up as a competitive swimmer
2. Marcin is a triathlete
3. Marcin has experience in road racing
4. Marcin has a degree in aerospace engineering
5. Marcin lives full time near the factories which assemble our products and has a direct relationship with those who run them.
6. Marcin doesn't sleep (okay, that may be a stretch, but it sometimes seems that way)

When we look at product design we first study what materials and components are currently used in the manufacturing process. Now if we were to choose from the same "shopping list" that other people are given by a factory, well then how would we be truly different? The fact is, we wouldn't, and that's precisely why we look outside of the industry for new high tech methods, materials and components to advance all aspects of performance and comfort. Then Marcin uses his background in aerospace engineering to test and qualify the variables in the materials to make sure that performance will not only be better, but tangible in the finished product.

If you haven't had the opportunity to see, touch and feel our products, I hope you do soon. I know you will be happy you did.

Cheers!