The TYR Hurricane Category 1 Wetsuit is TYRs entry-level wetsuit. The company has a great reputation and many of the top athletes use their suits, including Tom Lowe and Sarah Haskins. TYR worked with Andy Potts to design their Hurricane series. Potts was a world-class swimmer before switching to triathlons, where he won the 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Championship and numerous other races.

The suit boasts plenty of great features.

The part of the suit that looks like shoulder straps – which are grey on the C1 model – are “Free ROM Zones”. (Click here to see a picture.) ROM – or Range of Motion – is a big factor when choosing a wetsuit, especially if you are choosing a full-cut suit.

The most popular triathlon swim techniques encourage an extended reach once the arm enters  the water, which means the suit must help the swimmer retain a full reach. The Free ROM Zone on the Hurricane C1 provide extra range for the swimmer.

TYR include add “Speed Wrap Paneling” to this suit. These panels are made with Yamamoto Nano SCS Coated 5mm neoprene on the swimmer’s core, legs and chest. These provide a high level of buoyancy and uses the maximum thickness of material (5mm) allowed by the USAT. Again, because the suit uses “panels” of 5mm neoprene, the swimmer’s body position is aided, without restricting the range of motion. A suit with the same material on the body’s joins would not provide good range of motion.

Employing the lightest Yamamoto Nano SCS Coated 5mm neoprene panels throughout the entire leg, chest, and core to raise the swimmer in the water to reduce form drag.

The full-cut suit includes Form Fitting Writs Cuffs, which keep water from entering the suit. Again, the modern technique encourages the swimmer to always have a hand, up-front leading the way with a rather forceful hand-entry helping the body to rotate. This leaves full-cut suits susceptible to water intake. TYR’s Form Fitting cuffs help to minimize this.

The Quick Release Angle Cuffs help the athlete with the first transition and prevent you from hopping all other the bike area.

This suit is a great beginner, full-cut suit. It will provide plenty of buoyancy for anyone who is look for a suit to add some safety to this leg of the triathlon. The suit is also available in a sleeveless model. (Men’s TYR Hurricane Sleeveless Wetsuit Category 1)