Wetsuits designed for freshwater swimming.
Ruby Fresh are Open Water Swim wetsuits expressly designed for swimming in fresh water where the need for greater buoyancy, warmth and visibility are heightened. Backed by the swim event The Ruby Swim, itself a creation inspired by the amazing geographical location with the existence of an island to swim around - all set in pristine alpine waters.
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The Need
Most, if not all triathlon and open water swim wetsuits, are designed based on use in salt water, and predominantly, warmer water.
Ruby Fresh wetsuits - the 'Flow' male & female are designed around the needs of fresh water i.e. lesser buoyancy and for predominantly cooler waters, and added to this, such is the nature of open water swimming - it’s also important to be seen.
So the three points of difference are: Buoyancy • Warmth • Visibility
The wetsuit combines these three separate attributes not previously seen together in this product space.
The suits are designed to enhance body position in the water, the 'downhill' swim position feeling; enhance comfort in colder water - to keep you warmer for longer or to increase swim duration; and to be seen - additional safety in a multi-user environment.
The first suits hit the shores of New Zealand on January 8th, 2019.
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The points of difference.
Concepts:
• Improved buoyancy for freshwater use rather than salt water use - introducing the ‘Buoyancy Tray’. • Yamamoto Ti-Alpha Titanium layers. Warmth. Thin. Light. • Open Water visibility. Gold and day-glo graphics. • Improved arm maneuverability. • Body core stabilisation. Swim-Roll dynamics. Enhancing how open water swimmers ought to swim. • Easy on. Easy off - ease frustration. Especially for older swimmers.
The suit is targeted for mid range ability swimmers and upwards. As a triathlon wetsuit it has shown to be fast in competition due to the buoyancy profile creating an improved streamlined position in the water. It adheres to FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) rules.
A prime requirement of the design is to enhance the 'feeling' you are swimming well. This is as important as 'actually' swimming well. Creating the streamlined body position by altering the swimmers position in the water, combined with the extremely maneuverable arms (which has been the single biggest point of feedback) - this all adds to the intended overall improved user experience.
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Panel Design
Yamamoto #39 & #40 with SCS coating is used across the entire wetsuit.
Yamamoto #40 1.5mm neoprene is used throughout the entire arm / shoulder / latissimus dorsi sections (panels 3, 5, 9 & 11). It has excellent modulus, features a strong skin surface and flexibility and is the most stretchable neoprene on the market. Such extensive use of #40 grade is not 'normally' used.
The torso section of the suit, waist up, is lined with thermal Ti-Alpha, a titanium layer between the outer neoprene and the lining reflecting 35-40% of generated body heat back towards the body and the thin water layer between the body and suit lining, rather than being dissipated immediately to the water. In addition the calf panel (panel 8) also benefits from a Ti-Alpha layer in an effort to reduce calf cramping in conjunction with its 2mm width to enable easy removal when you are in a hurry!.
The one-piece core panel section (panel 1) is designed to be very buoyant in specific positions. The entire panel uses 5mm Aerodome Yamamoto SCS Neoprene which is 20-30% more buoyant than non-aerodome neoprene material. It is active from below the knee, the entire front thigh, wrapping entirely the hips, buttocks and lower abdomen. The positioning lifts the hips and legs noticeably and promotes hip roll. The panel incorporates a central chest 'pivot' section to the neck cuff. Its width is gauged to provide less buoyancy to the sternum region in conjunction with the 3mm chest panels (panel 2). This is to further aid the 'downhill' body position, in conjunction with the raised hips/legs. We term this entire panel the 'Buoyancy Tray'. The rest of the suit uses #39 grade which is lightweight and soft. The rear of the thigh (panel 7) is 4mm. All panels use Yamamoto 'SCS' (Super Composite Skin) proprietary hydrophobic coating.
Overall, the wetsuits' neoprene panel positioning promotes the more efficient swim-roll dynamics technique rather than a flat swim positioning. This technique enhances reach and creates an improved power phase in conjunction with hip roll movement.
The exclusive Ruby Fresh Grab Tab™
...at base of the zipper - to aid closing your wet suit. Grab the Tab with one hand, pull up the zip cord with the other. It's genius. And it provides a clean alternative to secure your Tow Buoy.
The Original Design Specifications
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Other Features Of The Suit Design
• No wrist-cuffs. After studying their need and function and then eliminating them.
• No internal forearm 'catch' panels - omitted by design after the realisation catch panels were almost useless and little more than a marketing gimmick.
Combined, these two design details allow the use of a very long taped seam on the inside of the forearm (duplicated on the calf leg section) which allows these sections of the suit to be cut to desired length. This enhances speed of removal in a racing situation (by cutting shorter) or to allow a better arm / lower calf fit.
The calf panel made from 2mm titanium lined #39 grade neoprene allows very quick and easy removal over the heel. Better than elastic stretch panels that were trialed. This is great for T1 times in Tri races but also too for those with difficulty reaching that area of the body. This can be quite an issue for some.
We have a verified Yamamoto Code of Authenticity.
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Water Quality and Environmental Stewardship
Ruby Fresh wetsuits and The Ruby Swim co-founded a direct action lake and water focused initiative called The Touchstone Project.
People are reminded of the ‘Check Clean Dry’ philosophy to stop the cross contamination of lakes from ‘Lake snow’ (Lindavia) and Didymo.
The Touchstone Project is a direct action initiative to support those concerned about the Lake Wanaka water catchment, raise awareness of impacts around the lake, and how people can have a positive influence on the water in the lake. For instance a persons personal contribution in how to minimise bad stormwater and runoff.
By working with people who 'do stuff ' - those making tangible differences, and by starting to gather and understand information about what affects lake water, Touchstone supports actions that directly improve lake values.
The Male Flow
The Ruby Fresh Flow Wetsuit - Male. Orange and White
$749.95
Available for immediate delivery whilst limited stocks last
About the NEW V2 Mens Flow
• Adjusted and refined sizing.
• New size model - The Mens Large Tall {LT}. See size chart
• Ruby Fresh Grab Tab™ at base of zipper - to aid closing your wet suit. Grab the Tab with one hand, pull up the zip cord with the other. It's genius.
• Enhanced internal construction; New internal stitching design; Improved cut of the core Aerodome 5mm Buoyancy Tray™ Panel.
• Longer Velcro neck closing area to better allow for looser/tighter neck closure and adjust-ability making it easier to avoid neck rub.
• Coral Orange.
• Coral White for the minimalists amongst you...
About the Mens Flow Ruby Fresh wetsuit:
Because not all wetsuits are made for salt water.
The three points of difference are: Buoyancy • Warmth • Visibility
These three criteria are designed to create a more efficient swim posture, enhance comfort in colder water - to keep you warmer for longer or, to increase swim duration; and lastly - to be seen.
The Yamamoto #39 & #40 neoprene panels have been optimised for buoyancy at specific positions; flexibility in the arm and lats / shoulder blades; and ease of removal, especially across the heel. For those wanting really fast removal, the seams on the forearm and below the knee are taped overlength to allow further cropping of the suit to personal requirements.
- The general idea of swimming fast is about being streamlined in the water as much as anything else. (OK, you need a great catch too... ) There are a number of aspects as to why this is good. Firstly, swimming fast means you do better in swim races! That's obvious, haha... But also, swimming fast feels good. its as simple as that. That aspect is as important as the speed. The feeling you are swimming well means just as much. To create a streamlined position means altering the swimmers buoyancy profile. Since there has not been a wetsuit designed with a buoyancy profile specifically created for fresh water use, we decided to create one.
- Generally speaking lakes are colder than the sea. At Lake Wanaka in New Zealand, the water temperatures, at 265m above sea level, range from 8.5°C up to 19°C. But that middle range from 11.5° through to 15.5° is a large part of the year. Numbers of active lake swimmer tend to fall away in those temperatures when 'traditional' swim wetsuits are not really made for any sort of extended time in cooler waters. With Ruby Fresh wetsuits the whole torso section including arms, and the calf panels on the leg feature a layer of Titanium. This reflects between 35% to 40% of generated heat, further increasing the temperature of the trapped layer of water in the suit between the skin and the inner lining.
- An interesting feature is a need to make the suit as visible as possible for use in busy multi vessel and user type waterways, but maintaining the dolphin-like feel of the Yamamoto SCS smooth-skin layer. By using a pattern design of hi-vis dayglo orange water based ink, on one arm and the latissimus dorsi side panel, we have attained an increased level of visibility. The effect is quite striking when in use. On our first suit derivation {V1} we used a gold SCS neoprene with a metallic lustre which reflected beautifully in the sun but we found, unfortunately, the gold effect rubbed off after a while which didn't look so hot which was a shame. The Hi Vis Coral Orange really stands out.
The Female Echo
The Ruby Fresh Flow Female Wetsuit - Pink & White
$749.95
About the NEW V2 Womens Flow
• Adjusted and refined sizing. Narrower women's specific wrist and lower forearm.
• New size model - The Womans Medium Goddess {WMG} See size chart
• Ruby Fresh Grab Tab™ at base of zipper - to aid closing your wet suit. Grab the Tab with one hand, pull up the zip cord with the other. It's genius.
• Enhanced internal construction; New internal stitching design; Improved cut of the core Aerodome 5mm Buoyancy Tray™ Panel.
• Longer Velcro neck closing area to better allow for looser/tighter neck closure and adjust-ability making it easier to avoid neck rub.
• Coral Pink.
• Coral White for the minimalists amongst you...
About the Womens Flow Ruby Fresh wetsuit:
We took the male design and reimagined the buoyancy requirements for the female form. The wet suit is not simply a resized male version.
The three points of difference are: Buoyancy • Warmth • Visibility
These three criteria are designed to create a more efficient swim posture, enhance comfort in colder water - to keep you warmer for longer or, to increase swim duration; and lastly - to be seen.
The Yamamoto #39 & #40 neoprene panels have been optimised for buoyancy at specific positions; flexibility in the arm and lats / shoulder blades; and ease of removal, especially across the heel. For those wanting really fast removal, the seams on the forearm and below the knee are taped overlength to allow further cropping of the suit to personal requirements.
- The general idea of swimming fast is about being streamlined in the water as much as anything else. (OK, you need a great catch too... ) There are a number of aspects as to why this is good. Firstly, swimming fast means you do better in swim races! That's obvious... But also, swimming fast feels good. It's as simple as that. That aspect is as important as the speed. The feeling you are swimming well, means just as much. To create a streamlined position means altering the swimmers buoyancy profile. Since there has not been a wetsuit designed with a buoyancy profile specifically created for fresh water use, we decided to create one.
- Generally speaking lakes are colder than the sea. At Lake Wanaka in New Zealand, the water temperatures, at 278m above sea level, range from 8.5°C up to 19°C. But that middle range from 11.5° through to 15.5° is a large part of the year. Numbers of active lake swimmer tend to fall away in those temperatures when 'traditional' swim wetsuits are not really made for any sort of extended time in cooler waters. With Ruby Fresh wetsuits the whole torso section including arms, and the calf panels of the leg feature a layer of Titanium between the lining and the neoprene. This reflects between 35% to 40% of generated heat, further increasing the temperature of the trapped layer of water in the suit between the skin and the inner lining.
- An interesting feature is a need to make the suit as visible as possible for use in busy multi vessel and user type waterways, but maintaining the dolphin-like feel of the Yamamoto SCS smooth-skin layer. By using a pattern design of hi-vis dayglo pink water based ink, on one arm and the latissimus dorsi side panel, we have attained an increased level of visibility. The effect is quite striking when in use. On our first suit derivation {V1} we used a gold SCS neoprene with a metallic lustre which reflected beautifully in the sun but we found, unfortunately, the gold effect rubbed off after a while which didn't look so hot which was a shame. The Hi Vis Coral Pink really stands out.