Triathlon Clothing- A Guide To Trisuits

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Triathlon clothing serves as a performance garment which is designed specifically for
use in a triathlon and can be worn throughout the duration of your race or training
session. Triathlon clothing or TriSuits are designed to be quick drying so they can be
worn under a wetsuit and allow you to transition to your bike without changing. The
TriSuit must also provide sufficient padding for comfortable use on the bike and then
work as a running garment without causing chafing or discomfort through the gusset
padding. Most manufacturers produce triathlon clothing which ticks each of these
boxes and use materials that provide excellent moisture management properties with
added features for enhanced comfort and performance. The main choice you need to
make is whether you prefer a one piece or a two piece clothing option.

Key Considerations & Next steps

 1. Budget - the majority of Triathlon manufacturers produce a range of clothing to fit
different budgets (typically between 50 and 150). As a general rule, the higher priced
suits will have more design features aimed at improving the performance and comfort
of the suit.
 2. The main purpose for buying a TriSuit - are you looking for entry level clothing to
get in to the sport / are you already a keen Triathlete looking for a TriSuit that will be
suitable for training and racing / are you looking for a TriSuit just for racing?
 3. What distance events will you be using the TriSuit for - most manufacturers
produce clothing that is targeted at either shorter or longer distance events. Triathlon
suits designed for longer distance events will typically provide additional padding for
comfort on the bike and pockets to hold energy bars and gels.
 4. One piece or two piece triathlon clothing? You will be surprised at the amount of
debate that goes on around this question amongst Triathletes but most of it comes
down to personal preference.
 1. One piece triathlon suits ('all in one suits') are the more common choice amongst
Triathletes especially if the swim is non-wetsuit. There is less chance of chafing
around the waist with a single piece however most Tri-tops, which form the top half
of a 2-piece suit, now have hems and seams that are designed for comfort.
 2. Two piece triathlon suits are still very common and some athletes find that they
provide a better range of movement. They also typically keep the athlete slightly
cooler as they are not a single piece of material covering the waist and back area;
however this should not be a major consideration in your choice as most single piece
suits contain mesh panels for added ventilation. Two piece suits also come with a
range of different styles of top, from a vest to a t-shirt which can also be changed
between bike and run.
 5. All good manufacturers will produce Female specific TriSuits with varying
amounts of bust support; however if you choose to wear a sports bra under the suit,
this might influence your choice and we would recommend trying both styles before
you make a purchase.
 6. Think about whether you want storage pockets at the back of the suit for nutrition,
bike spares or an MP3 player (remember that MP3 devices are not allowed in many
triathlon races).
  7. Consider whether or not you actually want to wear the TriSuit under your Wetsuit
during the swim - if time in transition is not really a priority for you then maybe you
don't actually need a TriSuit? Another option is to wear a pair of compression shorts
for the bike and run with some cycling shorts over the top for the bike leg; this also
provides the option of changing tops for the bike and run.
  8. Another area that is often overlooked is the Zip. Most single piece suits will have
a zip and these will be at the front or back of the suit - zips are great for ventilation
but can cause discomfort if the fit of the suit is not right. Two piece suits come in a
range of different top styles with or without zips.

Next steps:

Once you have taken these considerations in to account, try and find a retailer that
offers a range of TriSuits and gear for you to try as each manufacturer's clothing sizes
and styling will be different.

TriSuits are designed to be tight fitting so they retain their shape during the swim, do
not flap around on the bike and do not rub and cause discomfort on the run. Whilst a
TriSuit should be tight fitting, it should not restrict breathing in any way and above all
it should be comfortable throughout the course of your training session or triathlon
race.