Vorgee V-Force VIII Wetsuit Review

As Coach of the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy, a Former Professional Athlete and Surf Life Saver that saw my swim leg as a strength, I have had the opportunity over the years to trial out and wear different wetsuits. I had a meeting with Vorgee, they have been the Swim Goggle / Training Equipment sponsor of SCTA for the past 8 years. While meeting them they showed me their New V-Force VIII Wetsuit at the Warehouse.

​First Impression - Looks

What drew my attention straight away was

1. The underarm compartment. Very thin (new technology that speed skaters use) and my initial thoughts were, will that last! I know they aren't going to put material in there if it wouldn't, but I had my reservations (you'll see my response to how it goes later in this review)
2. The thickness of the Yamamoto Rubber throughout the suit and where they have positioned the varying thickness of the  5mm panel thru the middle of the suit, and down to 2-3mm in various parts of the suit. As a former swimmer, the all over 5mm I find makes you too buoyant and the stroke / body position suffers. Less efficient
3. The leg thickness. I always find they are to thick around the knees to the Calves. 
4. It just looked fast!! I was excited to get it into the water to try it out for myself.​

​First Swim Trial

Not only did I say it looked fast, but it feels fast in the water. I swam for around an 1hr in the open water in the sheltered bay of Mooloolaba Beach. Wow this wetsuit is fast. Now I have said that about some wetsuits before, but I have to give this as the best wetsuit I have swam in. Not because I am sponsored by them, but because a lot of thought and design has gone into this wetsuit. In fact, it has taken nearly 2 years for them to be at this point and 12 prototypes.

1. Arms - flexible - I love it. It feels like I hadn’t swum in a wetsuit. The range of motion thru the shoulder isn’t compromised at all. Super flexy and unrestricted. The thin underarm component I was worried about, is what makes this suit very flexible. It feels like a second skin and sits on the body very well. No restrictions at all and allows you to hold your stroke and catch.
2. Thoracic / Chest area - I love it as it isn’t 5mm right thru. Normally the chest is 5mm thru and it does make you more buoyant but I always find that it sits me up too high. With the varying thicknesses, It doesn't compromise your body position and allows you to stay on top of your catch / stroke
3. Hips - the hips are 5mm which gives you that lift in the water like a Pull Bouy does, but it allows you to come over the top of your stroke due to the varying thickness in the Chest / Thoracic area as noted above in Point 2.
4. Legs - I like that the legs aren’t 5mm throughout, as with most it feels like you are out of the water with the kicking. Where you have the 5mm is perfect. Around the waist and thigh that gives you the forward push with the body positioning in the water.​
5. Feel - I love the feel and the way it sits on the body too. I have a problem with most wetsuits with leakage around the neck line. This sits right in the right spot and feels like you're wearing a second skin. Supper comfy and no chaffing.
6. Durability - The problem i find with most top end wetsuits is that it feels great to start off with and then you lose the durability and performance of the suit. during COVID  - 19, I have done a lot of open water swimming with the pools being closed. it has held up extremely well. 
7. Price / Value for Money - RRP is $799 for a full sleeved Yamamoto Rubber suit this extremely good value for money compared to other suits that are selling the same wetsuit material for $1000-$1200 per suit. As they say you are getting a Ferrari for the price of a Holden

Verdict - Final Thoughts

A lot of thought has gone into this suit. The varying levels of thickness throughout the suit shows this. they are in the right place to get the best out of your swim in the open water with a wetsuit on. The top of the range Yamamoto Rubber along with the underarm component material that the speed skaters use is very flexible, but at the same time the durability and consistency isn't compromised.

When I got sent the technical aspects of this wetsuit and how they configured it you can understand why it took 2 years and 12 prototypes. A lot of thought has gone in the process and all I can say is wow. Love this suit. You are on a winner with the design and construction of the New Vorgee V-Force VIII Wetsuit. Do yourself a favour and make sure you do check this out if you are in the market for a new wetsuit.

Lucy Bowden - SCTA Senior Athlete of the Year for 2018/19 and 2019/20 Review + Verdict

​Like many the athletes finding a wetsuit that doesn’t restrict your shoulders, interrupt your stroke and cause fatigue whilst swimming can be tricky, and to finding it a reasonable price is not often seen.
 
Due to several shoulder operations I first opted for a sleeveless wetsuit lowering the risk of flaring my shoulder up particularly throughout a race. Eventually, I transitioned into a long sleeve wetsuit however, found this particular brand too fiddly whilst swimming and the longevity of the suit with minimal use was poor.
 
Vorgee products have be a part of my training and racing for the last three years since moving to the Sunshine Coast from Adelaide. Thanks to Toby Coote for introducing me to Vorgee and the family behind the brand.
 
In early 2020, I was on the hunt for a new wetsuit leading into World 70.3 in Taupo NZ and I’d seen the Vorgee wetsuit in action whilst capturing some content for Toby, SCTA and Vorgee themselves. 

‘I was impressed by the shoulder area, the first area I take note of when analysing a wetsuit’

​Lucky enough I was able to get the Vorgee V-Force VIII in my hands soon after this photo shoot. In comparison to other wetsuits, I noticed the general comfort the wetsuit provided. The internal layers of the suit being very soft on the skin. As first thought, the shoulder area firmly fit in the right places due to its thin and sleek design – allowing an athlete to feel confident heading into the water knowing the suit would provide the flexibility promised.
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I’ve been swimming daily in the ocean over the last three months, the V-Force has allowed for enjoyable swimming no matter what the session. The suit is a great addition to the Vorgee range providing the brand with a product that is well up there in the wetsuit market. 

For more information on the new Vorgee V-Force VIII Wetsuit click on the following links
For Male Wetsuit - Click Here
​For Female Wetsuit - Click Here  
​For Vorgee Goggle Range - Click Here 

Photo Credit 
Facebook - Lucy Bowden Photography
Instagram - LB Media ​