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5800 Views 11 Replies Latest reply: Jun 1, 2011 6:06 PM by coppertop222 RSS
coppertop222 Rookie
coppertop222
4 posts since
Feb 16, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 25, 2011 5:35 PM

Trisuit or shorts?

I'm reatlively new to tri's and have done a 2 and am training for the nautica in South beach, Miami in a few weeks.  I'm considering buying and wearing a trisuit but as I am a begineer and firmly in the clysdale division (200#+) I am a little self conscious about what to wear.  For the Tri's I've done I went with a T shirt and bicycle shorts which worked well, but by the end of the bike ride the T-shirt was soaked, and of course the padding in the seat was retaining water for the first half of the ride.

I recently saw a trisuit for about the same price as a pair of tri-shorts I liked and am wondering which way to go.  The tri suit fit great, and I loved not having the elastic around the waist but am wondering how silly it will look to be in one and not at the front of the pack, or close to it! Not to mention with a little bit of a belly!  Is it unusual to have a beginner/intermediate in a trisuit or am I worrying too much over nothing?

 

Any help is appreciated.

Tags: triathlon, race, equipment, motivation, tri, triathlon_training
  • IronMakeover Community Moderator
    IronMakeover
    738 posts since
    Jul 7, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. Mar 25, 2011 6:53 PM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    Hey Coppertop222,

    Sounds like a fun event! :-)

    Your points about the t-shirt and bike shorts are valid.

     

    Trisuits come as 1 or 2 pieces, so you have options. I have a long torso, so I got a 2-piece and this gives me flexibility to mix and match pieces a little.

    Don't you worry at all about wearing a trisuit no matter where you fall in the pack. And, while there is a lot of skin showing on race day, remember everyone is really focused on themselves.

    You'll likely see a ton of outfit options and some crazy combinations. But, wear what works best for you & tell yourself you are ready to rock it.

     

    Have a great time & let us know how it goes.

    :-) Sara




    Sara Cox Landolt

    http://www.ironmakeover.blogspot.com/

  • thecenterline Amateur
    thecenterline
    10 posts since
    Jan 21, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    2. Mar 25, 2011 8:43 PM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    Hey coppertop222,

     

    I've worn both "configurations" and the only thing I will say about a full trisuit is that if you need to make a portapotty pit stop, they are A PAIN to get off!  But if that isn't a concern, go for the full trisuit.  They are super comfortable and do the job.  And seriously, your experience level shouldn't dictate what kind of gear you use.  Use whatever you're most comfortable in and that will just make the race that much more enjoyable!  You'll see all different shapes and sizes on the course so it's nothing to worry about




    "If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it, you have won your race." Dave Scott

    www.AdvoCareTriathletes.com

    advocaretriathletes@gmail.com

  • quadzilla1 Expert
    quadzilla1
    39 posts since
    May 30, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. Apr 2, 2011 10:54 AM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    Coppertop,

     

    I am a huge fan of the one piece tri-suit and that is all I will race in. I primarily do long course races and enjoy the freedom they provide.I have raced in two pieces and the one draw back to the shorts is that after awhile they tend to roll down and bunch up, can be a little uncomfortable.

     

    As for the bathroom...not really an issue. You just need to find what YOU feel comfortable in and not worry about what others think. If they are looking at you and what you are wearing, then they aren't really racing.

     

    Train safe, race hard..




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  • ChristopherM of Boston Amateur
    ChristopherM of Boston
    22 posts since
    Aug 23, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    4. Apr 2, 2011 1:01 PM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    I can tell you exactly how you'll look racing in a trisuit: AWESOME!!!

     

    Serioulsy, you're competing in a triathlon, you're a rock star, and rock stars get to wear whatever they want.  No one is going to care.

     

    So that being said, wear whatever is comfortable.  Obviously ditch the bike shorts and t-shirt, because they don't seem to be working for you (as well they shouldn't be: cotton & endurance competition don't mix well, and bike shorts + water = diaper).

     

    A lot of people like the tri suit because you don't have to worry about putting on a shirt after the swim, and most cyclists prefer suits or bibs which keep the bike padding in place.  In theory you should be faster in the water too, if you're swimming without a wetsuit.

     

    On the other hand, I find shorts to be a bit more functional while training (I'll wear then in the gym with a tech top a lot, regardless of which discipline I'm working that day), and of course, they solve the bathroom issue.

     

    But if you're comfortable in that tri suit, then you rock that tri suit!




    -Christopher M

    Boston, MA

    http://triumphtriathlon.com/blog/

  • coppertop222 Rookie
    coppertop222
    4 posts since
    Feb 16, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    5. Apr 3, 2011 7:20 PM (in response to ChristopherM of Boston)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    Thank you to everyone for your replies.  After reading what  you had to say I went ahead and bought one to wear for the race this coming weekend.   I am still a little nervous about wearing it but they won't be as much as the pre race jitters! I'm very excited though as I trained yesterday in it and it felt wonderful to swim, and then run in them. Totally a fan of the trisuit so far, and am looking at other triathlons to do later this summer to wear it again! It seems to be race season and I may have been bitten by the tri-bug.  I will be swimming without a wetsuit as I live in south florida so it will certainly help in the water.   Thanks also for the training tip, if any of the looks i got were any judge, it isn't often people see someone running in a trisuit. Looks a little more status quo when on the bike.  I think for training I'll stick with training  in shorts and a performance t-shirt of some variety.   Gives me motivation to wear that trisuit in more races!

  • j2dahizzay Rookie
    j2dahizzay
    3 posts since
    Feb 16, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    6. Apr 5, 2011 7:56 PM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    Good Luck in your Tri this weekend..




    Reggae Music for Good Causes

  • coppertop222 Rookie
    coppertop222
    4 posts since
    Feb 16, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    7. May 23, 2011 5:41 PM (in response to thecenterline)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    THanks again to all of your advice, Here's a pic from the nautcia that I have been meaning to post. 
    The local bike shop that was repairing my very old steel road bike lent me the one pictured for the race.  Needless to say after riding a Carbon fiber bike I loved it and am looking at one to purchase.  Already signed up for my 2nd tri of the year in two weeks and am hoping to do an olympic distance in july and maybe if I stick to the training a half marathon in the winter/early spring next year. 

     

    A different local bike shop has a specialized s-works tranistion frame with fairly basic wheels and train for 2K... I don't think a Tri bike is what I need, but it's a hard deal to pass up.  I have a road bike and really want one to race in... IDK. we will see!

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  • ChristopherM of Boston Amateur
    ChristopherM of Boston
    22 posts since
    Aug 23, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    8. May 24, 2011 7:23 AM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    See, you look fantastic!  How did you do?  Were you happy with your performance?




    -Christopher M

    Boston, MA

    http://triumphtriathlon.com/blog/

  • Julie Ann Hackett Pro
    Julie Ann Hackett
    191 posts since
    Nov 20, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    9. Jun 1, 2011 11:13 AM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    Agreed, the tri suit looks great!  I usually feel like a fashion faux pas when I've got my tri gear on, especially with the compression socks up to my knees and my hair all over the place.  But at the end of the day, its all about having a good race and if that's what it takes, I'm ok with looking silly.

  • bowlergirl1120 Rookie
    bowlergirl1120
    2 posts since
    Oct 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    10. Jun 1, 2011 11:34 AM (in response to coppertop222)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    I hope you went for the Trisuit! I completed my first triathlon last year in the trisuit and it was so comfortable!  I would not race in anything else - "belly" or not, back or front of the pack, no difference to me.  Happy training and racing this season!

  • coppertop222 Rookie
    coppertop222
    4 posts since
    Feb 16, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    11. Jun 1, 2011 6:06 PM (in response to ChristopherM of Boston)
    Re: Trisuit or shorts?

    yeah I was pleased with my performance, and had a really good time. 

    There were lots of people in trisuits and no one really cared what I was wearing! I've gone on a couple of rides and really like wearing it to get used to the feel and don't think it looks much different than your typical cycling jersey and bib/shorts set. 

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