I’ve always worn 2 pieces, tri top and tri shorts, for my races. Is the biggest benefit with trisuit the comfort or is there more? Is it like comparing bike shorts to bib shorts? I did start wearing bib shorts more but it wasn’t mind blowing as far as comfort goes. since I don’t pee on myself in triathlons is the trisuit that much more difficult to pull down to use the bathroom?
I find one piece to be more comfortable actually, provided you find one that fits you well. It more like cycling bibs. You don’t have to worry about your shorts sagging or riding down. No elastic or drawstrings to futz with. Top doesn’t ride up and leave a nasty little sunburned spot on the small of your back just above your ass crack.
I raced in 2 pieces for years, mainly because it made peeing easier (both before, during, and after race). But I got a DeSoto FliSuit and love it (it has a fly that’s high enough that you don’t have to worry about the mouse popping out of his house). It’s still harder to get off should you have a code brown during something like a 70.3 or Full IM. But if have diarrhea in a race, it’s probably going to be a rough day regardless and time is out the window.
I’ve raced in both, and the main benefit of the 1pc is the lack of a waistband (so less breathing restriction and muffin-topping). The downside is quick bathroom break access (for this reason I go with a 2pc for 70.3 and up).
I find one piece to be more comfortable actually, provided you find one that fits you well. It more like cycling bibs. You don’t have to worry about your shorts sagging or riding down. No elastic or drawstrings to futz with. Top doesn’t ride up and leave a nasty little sunburned spot on the small of your back just above your ass crack.
I raced in 2 pieces for years, mainly because it made peeing easier (both before, during, and after race). But I got a DeSoto FliSuit and love it (it has a fly that’s high enough that you don’t have to worry about the mouse popping out of his house). It’s still harder to get off should you have a code brown during something like a 70.3 or Full IM. But if have diarrhea in a race, it’s probably going to be a rough day regardless and time is out the window.
x2.
+1 to the benefits of not having a waistband with a 1 piece, mainly for on the bike. I don’t like having the pressure of a waistband while riding. As for bathroom access, there are now quite a few 1 piece suits on the market that make it easy to wee, whether it’s a flap like in the Desoto suit or a zip up front.
I may have to try a desoto one. I always like their stuff
I’ve always worn 2 pieces, tri top and tri shorts, for my races. Is the biggest benefit with trisuit the comfort or is there more? Is it like comparing bike shorts to bib shorts? I did start wearing bib shorts more but it wasn’t mind blowing as far as comfort goes. since I don’t pee on myself in triathlons is the trisuit that much more difficult to pull down to use the bathroom?
I have done both and I piece is more comfortable. If you get a full zip suit bathroom stops are not at problem. Tri-shorts can cut across your abs even if your skinny. Tri-suits don’t have that problem.
I’ve raced in both. I like 1 piece better. I pulled leg side up to pee and it works pretty well.
Or I pee on the bike as I go.
I’ve done both and it was simply a matter of whatever I was used to. Maybe if I went back to a 2 piece, I might be dissatisfied; but, I’ll have to use up the half dozen trisuits that I have first.
I believe there is an ‘aero’ discussion to be had too i.e. that a 2-piece has more drag as a result of the transition/overlap between the garments.
I’ve raced in both, I would say that a 1-piece is significantly more comfortable… But as others have said, the only caveat would be for long distance races, if you need to take the browns to the superbowl… undoing a one-piece in the port-a-loo is challenging (I’d recommend unzipping and removing the top before entering the loo)… I swear I lost 5min fighting with my trisuit the first time I had to try to remove it for such an emergency in a half, since then I have gotten much faster at my T3s (well I guess technically, it’s a T2…)…
Another thing I haven’t seen mentioned: one piece works great for getting ice dumped down the front and/or back during a hot run.
Another thing I haven’t seen mentioned: one piece works great for getting ice dumped down the front and/or back during a hot run.
Won’t it still just move it’s way down the suit? I would like to see a trisuit with some sort of inner pocket near the top inside where I could put ice and let it melt and run down my torso.
It usually ends up around my belly button in the front and lower back in the rear. Works great for me on the hot ones. It would be nice to have some sort of simple, thin solution to hold the ice up higher, but man it feels good on the last few miles of the run. I try to “save” it until later in hot, long runs… gives me a boost.
Another thing I haven’t seen mentioned: one piece works great for getting ice dumped down the front and/or back during a hot run.
Won’t it still just move it’s way down the suit? I would like to see a trisuit with some sort of inner pocket near the top inside where I could put ice and let it melt and run down my torso.
+1
Was thinking this same thing recently
Another thing I haven’t seen mentioned: one piece works great for getting ice dumped down the front and/or back during a hot run.
Won’t it still just move it’s way down the suit? I would like to see a trisuit with some sort of inner pocket near the top inside where I could put ice and let it melt and run down my torso.
Kiwami’s long distance suit has a pocket behind the neck too hold ice. Just another great touch the suit offers…
Very nice. I’ll definitely consider. I’m really surprised more manufacturers don’t do this.
If only we could get the fly AND an ice pocket. Anyone know if the DeSoto has this feature?
The biggest issue for me is going #2. I wore a one piece and had to make a potty break around mile 19 of the run in an IM. It seemed to take forever to get that thing off and then back on. I ended up missing a KQ slot by 7 seconds.
My approach in an IM now is full suit for the bike, then a quick change to tri shorts and top (either tank top of tri top) for the run, which aids in quick bathroom breaks. In a half I wear the one piece for the whole race (getting naked is usually frowned upon without changing tents!).
If only we could get the fly AND an ice pocket. Anyone know if the DeSoto has this feature?
Having raced for 35 years, I have NEVER stopped to do #1. Seriously, one is spending the time, training, money to get the best stuff and you waste time stopping because you in took too much fluid? It’s a very non issue during a race. Training, sure, but that’s without the meter running. IMO having to stop with #2 is you making a mistake the day before or during the race with nutrition. If you stop, you usually become a “finisher” instead of podium. Look deeper than the moment…
I am terribly biased, but Kiwami puts the most thought and practice into their gear than most out there. It’s not just a cover, but a working, functional tool.