I’m looking to get a Roka Maverick Pro. I can get a 2013 suit on sale for 30% off… the only difference between the “old” suit and the 2014 version is a lower neckline and graphics (who cares!). Now, I guess lower is better for chafing and comfort, but 33% is tough to turn down! Anyone think the neckline right now is a problem?
Thanks in advance.
I picked up the same wetsuit just the other day… I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback and figured i’d try it out for a month. With their 100% satisfaction guarantee 30 day return policy i figured i would take a chance - will have my first swim in it this Saturday. Their CEO Rob Canales is very quick to respond on any additional questions you may have regarding the wetsuit.
Thanks for your interest.
One note on the neck line - it’s not a significant difference - like .5cm. We made a change in a batch of suits from late 2013 (the ones that are on sale) by flipping the orientation of the velcro hook/loop patches and playing with the shape of the neck flap. We regularly make minor tweaks to the suits in between production runs to see how we can make them better. Customers responded fine, and we didn’t see a significant change in return or exchange rates either way. We didn’t make the change across the entire line, and ultimately we decided to revert to the neck design from earlier in the year, which was slightly lower by virtue of how we had oriented the velcro I mentioned. It’s a minor thing, but you will see the difference on the neck flap if you compare two suits, so that’s why we mentioned it on the site. The primary changes were graphics and adding a few new sizes to the line-up.
One other note: I’m told our return rate is far below industry average, and I’ve only know a few people who’ve had trouble with the neck of our suits, including Zach Pratt who posts on ST regularly. For whatever reason, we couldn’t get a good seal on his neck, despite fitting others of similar size, etc. So I’d encourage you to try the '13 suit. You can always return/exchange it, even after swimming in it. All good.
If you have further questions, please email us at support@rokasports.com. (I often don’t get to check ST as regularly as I’d like.)
Best,
Rob
Rob and Team have provided a lot of feedback about Roka and their suits. I was actually a little disappointed in their April Fools product, I kind of wanted Sim Briefs.
I’m waiting on slightly warmer weather here in the northeast to try some new products. I have a hard time testing wetsuits in a pool and the water is still nasty here. I’m also waiting on the release of a new Zoot product.
I know the Team Danbury Audi Multisport is all going to be wearing Roka and all athletes have reduced their swim times. One athlete wears his Roka Sim shorts every time he swims and his swim times have dramatically dropped.
For the past 2 years I have tried to find the Helix killer. Last year I spent a lot of time playing with the different Roka products. Btw, the Maverick Elite is a damn good product lined up against the Maverick Pro. As Rob stated, I had a hard time with the neck allowing in too much water and not flushing out the ankles. It would pool in the lats area. No chaffing issues. The pooling wasn’t horrible, like some other suits I tested, but it was enough to annoy me after a 2 mile swim. I tested in both salt water and in fresh water and there was very little difference.
I have a strong feeling that suits with reverse zippers are less likely to allow water in at the neck line and have less chaffing. Nineteen and Blueseventy both had products that fit me well. Roka fits me very well, it’s just that water leak issue. Maybe the new neck line will be the slight modification that is needed. I’m not sure yet. But I have NO PROBLEM testing out any product, regardless of manufacturer.
I highly suggest doing the same. Test out product. Make swimming fun by getting product, demo it, do a write up of it, and then if the product doesn’t work for you, send it back for a refund.
You nailed it- “I have a strong feeling that suits with reverse zippers are less likely to allow water in at the neck line and have less chaffing.” One of the primary benefits we saw in a reverse-zip is the way the neck fits. Since we stared using it around 2005 the resounding message has been less chafe and better fit/performance. We are happy to hear you are still searching for a “helix Killer”.
Ryan Vanderloop
blueseventy
I’ll say this about the neck line:
I didn’t bother to put the suit on before I raced in it. I got it on, did up the neck,jumped in, swam around, adjust the suit and neck a bit then moved into the front row.
I never thought about the neckline from the time I adjusted it until right now.
That’s a good thing.