Short sleeved or no sleeved?
I’ve never raced with sleeves, but I’ve always ended up with chaffing, too.
Sleeves might be a good choice. Help protect from the sun a little and maybe prevent some chaffing on the marathon.
Has anyone tried the sleeves? How did the arms fit? We’re they too constricting?
It is super comfortable. I got one and raced in it at IMFL last year. It fits tightly, the sleeves were very comfortable, and it kept the sun off me. I put it on after the swim and wore it the rest of the day. I definitely would recommend it.
I wore the sleeved version during two 70.3’s and an IM last year. Loved it.
Then I got a PI Octane trisuit and love that even more.
Thanks!
I normally race in a Forza tri-suit. But I wanted a little more comfort. I think the Riviera bibs + tri jersey offer the most comfort, plus I can easily use them during my commutes.
If you are fair-skinned, don’t rely on the DeSoto sleeves for sun protection. DeSoto arm coolers are advertised as blocking 75% of the sun’s rays. That translates to a UPF of 4, versus the more common ratings of 30 or 50+. DeSoto recommends using sunscreen underneath its arm coolers.
Hello Charris,
Emilio De Soto here. When I have time I will respond to the inaccurate post just above on sun protection of our garments, but in the mean time I want to personally invite you to try the product and form your own opinion. Please read our guarantee below and let me know if you have any other questions.
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
De Soto Sport offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on anything you buy from our website. If one of our products does not perform to your expectations within 30 days of the purchase date, return it for a replacement, or a refund. Anything you buy from one of our authorized retailers is guaranteed through the retailer. All exchanges and refunds must be done through the retailer. Their policy may be different so please ask before purchasing.
Dewman,
The OP is asking about our Sleeved Riviera Tri Jersey, not our Arm Coolers. And your comments are not accurate in terms of the translation between what UVB rays our Arm Coolers block and UPF ratings, as there is no government regulated UPF factors for textiles in the USA. I will elaborate more when I have time.
I’m in. I will most likely give myself another month of training to make sure I can fit into a medium…the winter’s been festive.
Hi Emilio,
Are you still offering the long sleeve version of the tri jersey?
Emilio, I’m looking at DeSoto’s website for the Riviera Tri Jersey, in the FAQ section. It says:
“The Skin Cooler fabrics we created block 75% of UVB rays. This is why we recommend you wear sunscreen underneath these products. … We have had all our fabrics tested by an independent testing service and they found that our Forza Fabric blocks 75% of UVB rays.”
If a fabric blocks 75% of UV rays, that translates to a UPF of 4 – i.e., by only letting in 1/4 of the UV rays, you can stay in the sun 4 times longer than if you wore nothing.
By contrast, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays. A UPF 30 fabric blocks about 97%. For people with concerns about sun exposure, the difference between a rating of 4 and a 30 or 50 is significant. For those at risk of melanoma or recurring melanoma (like myself), it can literally be a matter of life and death.
The lack of government regulation in the US does not prevent most performance clothing manufacturers from adhering to the existing UPF standards set by ASTM and AATCC and international standards such as AS/NZS and CEN. It’s not unusual for manufacturers to voluntarily commit to higher standards, even without governments forcing them to do so.
I commend DeSoto for starting to include some UPF 30+ garments in its lineup, such as the one that features “Coldblack” fabrics. People seem to like your products, and it seems your company could expand its market by using other sun-blocking fabrics. I can’t quite figure out why the company is so defensive about the issue.
Well written Dewman. It really is. We are not defensive about the issue at all, in fact we were the first triathlon company to start offering products that cover you up from the sun, it was just that you confused what the OP was asking with the issue of our Arm Coolers, which by name, was designed to cool your arms in hot weather thus keeping your body cooler. The UVB protection was just an peripheral benefit.
That said, we are working on a similar “hot climate sun sleeve” along with other garments that will offer greater sun protection than what is used on our very effective Arm Coolers, which will continue to keep body temps in check while helping smart people like you who want to avoid the dangers of the sun. We will announce this new product first here on the ST forum.
Finally, just for cover our proverbial behinds in this litigious country, we will continued the legal disclaimer about wearing sunscreen under all our products that might be considered sun protectant.
Let me know when you are ready. We are here to help you and anyone else reading this post.
Emilio,
Thanks for the response. Now I’m wondering if DeSoto products block more sun than the website indicates. Your site refers to Coldblack fabric as having a minimum UPF of 30, then states “(blocks 70% of UV rays).”
That percentage is not correct. A UPF of 30 (such as the Coldblack product you carry) means a fabric blocks about 97% of UV rays. That is excellent coverage, and not significantly different from a UPF 50 fabric.
Which has me wondering about the statements that several of your fabrics like Forza block 75% of UVB rays. Did the testing company tell you it blocked 75% of UVB, or did they perhaps say it was approx. 25 UPF and someone at DeSoto thought that meant 75% UV blockage?
What I’d love to see is Desoto’s “wings” with a UPF fabric – something to put on in T1 in a non-wetsuit swim, when a sleeved tri suit is not allowed in the water. Another company – maybe Orca? – makes one, but it does not provide much coverage, so bare skin remains exposed at the back of the shoulders.
Let me give you a real world experience with both the riv tri jersey with sleeves and arm coolers.
I used both in hot/ humid himself last year and on plenty of hot rides here’ in SoCal. The riv tri jersey keeps you very well ventilated and the sun off your shoulders. I never felt super overheated with the covered shoulders. The sleeves are meant as coolers, so pour water over them while riding/ running through aid stations.
I will say I have been out on rides 3 hrs+ and not had a sun tan or any real lasting redness on my non SPF covered arms while using the arm coolers.
Can you elaborate on why you loved PI Octane more? And what size are you? I love De Soto Riviera Trisuit but am also debating a possible switch to PI Octane, but its an expensive leap of faith to make especially when I have no real complaints about the Riviera.
Can you elaborate on why you loved PI Octane more? And what size are you? I love De Soto Riviera Trisuit but am also debating a possible switch to PI Octane, but its an expensive leap of faith to make especially when I have no real complaints about the Riviera.
I’m 6’0" and 165-170 lbs. I wear a size M Octane and M in Desoto stuff as well.
The Octane is just more comfortable than either the Desoto Riviera trisuit or Riviera SS top. I have never been a big fan of sleeveless trisuits or jerseys because a) requires sunscreen and b) are less aero than being “covered.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Desoto stuff and wear Desoto gear in training 100% of the time. Pearl Izumi just hit a homerun with the Octane suit.
I’d love to see Desoto come out with a sleeved trisuit. Emilio, I hope you’re listening.
Very helpful . Thanks. How is it in the heat?
Have raced a 70.3 and a 140.6 in the shorts leave jersey, both races on the hot side, both wetsuit races. The jersey was awesome, aero, cool, and protected my underarms from chaffing, love it!
Very helpful . Thanks. How is it in the heat?
I did a couple of training rides in 90-something degree temps while wearing it and it felt fine. The fabric is very thin feeling so it feels light and cool.
Sorry, should have specified… Was worried more how does it hold up on a hot run after the bike portion