I’ve been a competitive runner for 24 years, but have never done a triathlon. I’ve been thinking about it for the past 18 years or so, but various excuses (mostly time and money) have prevented me from taking the plunge (pun not intended). This probably still isn’t the best time to start since I have 2-year-old twins and am between jobs, but I’ve realized there will never be a “perfect” time. My husband is also a competitive runner, so he’s used to and supportive of the “kid relay” as I call it.
I’ve been a LetsRun poster (no, not that kind of LetsRun poster) for 20 years and have known about this forum for about as long, but haven’t posted here. Hopefully y’all are nicer with “newbie” questions.
I’ve had a road bike since college and also bought a used triathlon bike a couple of years ago, but both have mostly been collecting dust in my garage. I should mention I am scared of crashing or getting hit by a car. I’ve had multiple friends get gnarly injuries or worse. However, I do stationary bike workouts frequently, a few times a week.
I swam one season in high school between cross country and outdoor track seasons (we didn’t have indoor track), so I know how to swim, just not the best at technique or bilateral breathing. I do not have open water experience unless you count recreational swimming in lakes when I was a kid.
Here’s what I need help with right now: I’m getting overwhelmed with the triathlon gear and apparel. I’m planning to start with the sprint distance this summer. I am in Oregon and sensitive to cold, so the piece of gear I am especially stressing over is a wetsuit. They are expensive. When I find a used one or one on sale, I get worried because I will see advice against them. For example, a used one that has some tears from pulling on and off. The other was Xterra wetsuits on sale, but seeing reviews on reddit about those being crappy. I have a pro deal for Zoot, but they are sold out in their women’s size M.
I’d appreciate any tips on brands or sales on full-sleeve women’s triathlon wetsuits (probably size M), ideally keeping the price under $200.
I have used Xterra wetsuits with plenty of success. I only would wear it 3-4 times a year (2 for races and probably 2 other times for practice) so not a ton of wear and tear. If you are careful putting it on (keeping your nails trimmed, soaking the suit at the beginning of the season, etc.) then it should last year a few years. I wouldn’t have a problem getting a used suit. I usually try to get used gear when I’m first trying things out and then getting new (if it makes sense) once I figure out what fits best and works for me.
For tri suits. A lot is going to be trial and error. Every body is different so what works for one person won’t always work for another. I think finding a few used suits (different brands) would work to find which best works for you too. Though for sprints I think anything will work good enough. If you decided to move up in distances than comfort will become the primary goal.
Hopefully some more knowledgeable people will chime in here for you.
Hey Welcome to the sport. My first year of triathlon I used a wetsuit off Amazon. It wasn’t a tri-specific wetsuit but it worked great for keeping me warm and buoyant to get through my first few swims. If you can get your hands on a second tri-specific inexpensive Wetsuit all the better. Paula one of the top pro females does a garage sale on their podcast/vlog/website That Triathlon Life and has had many wetsuits available. (They are in Bend Oregon)
I also avoid riding outside due to the risks. If you can find a paved long rail trail near you to ride your tribike that would be great. There is one about 90 minutes from me and I ride it a couple times a year to just get outside. Other than that it’s virtual rides on one of my Kickrs year round.
You can absoutely do triathlon without spending the farm. Other places to check out are the classified here on ST, Facebook marketplace often has tons of gear available, ebay and there is a vibrant tri community in Oregon so I bet there are lots of tri-clubs that would have gear available. My local bike shop does a gear swap twice a year, that may be another option if something like that exists near you.
Sounds like your main concern with a wetsuit is warmth. I dont think any of them are really different in that area. A long sleeve will keep your warmer, no matter the brand. Someone who knows more might correct me.
IMO, as a newbie with warmth as a primary concern, any wetsuit will be fine. By any, I mean Xterra or any other brand used or new. I bought a new Xterra 4-5 years ago and as a nonswimmer with sinky legs, who finishes mid to back of pack out of the swim, it has been great for me. I will need a new one this season or next.
If you buy a used one, try to buy local so you can see it in person, but plenty of great and truthful sellers out there as well, but still a risk.
As a newbie, you may only do 1-2 tris and decide you dont like it, so no need to buy a super high end, expensive wetsuit now. Save that purchase for a few years down the line when you are full send on tris.
I want the full sleeves because I am sensitive to cold temps, however it’s mostly my hands and feet I have trouble with (Raynaud’s syndrome). So here comes a dumb question: does anyone wear sleeveless wetsuits with swim gloves?
If you have a little bit of time, hang in there and keep checking the Zoot website for your pro deal on a wetsuit. They are excellent.
You could also troll your local triathlon clubs for someone to sell and lightly used wetsuit to you for about the $50 to $75 range. There are lots of one-and-done athletes out there, and their gear is usually not too beat up.
Also, check the outlets for various wetsuit companies to see what’s for sale on their outlets. I got several wetsuits at the TYR annual warehouse sale years ago for $50 each.
There is inexpensive excellent equipment out there that takes a bit of hunting. You’ll also avoid tariffs!
Also, swim gloves are probably not going to be allowed at most triathlons, even in races where booties are allowed. The exception would be if you get an exemption with a doctor’s note to allow the gloves due to Reynaud’s. I swam next to a woman in my age group who wore gloves in the very cold water at Ironman Arizona, and I was kind of furious at her until, after the race, I learned she had Reynaud’s and an exemption from Ironman to wear the gloves.
And don’t let folks talk you out of a full sleeve suit if that’s what will make you more confident for your open water swim.
Yes. I have been for the months of march and April while the temperature has been lower. But unless the temperature is below 16 degrees Celsius I think they are prohibited in events.
Personally i’m with @jimatbeyond in the the restriction of motion issue but that’s due to specific shoulder problems. Most people are more comfortable/confident with full sleeve.
If you can even ask around at the clubs someone may have a full sleeve versus non-sleeve to try.
I wouldn’t pay big money for wetsuits at the start as loads of people sell them on and you can pick up absolute bargains.
Used Nineteen long sleeve wetsuit.
No bilateral breathing.
Used QR tri bike.
Most rides on beater trainer in basement.
Winter & rainy day runs on treadmill.
Almost nobody passes me on the bike.
Nobody passes me on the run.
You are starting out way better than I did by asking these questions. I too was an early swimmer switched to competitive long time runner that was looking for a new challenge in my 40s so entered a triathlon race. My first was a local 70.3. I lined up at the swim start to realize I was the only one not wearing a wetsuit. All I had was a pair of bike shorts on that I planned to swim/bike and run in that day. My bike was down tube shifter with clip on aero bars. I ended up using my run skills to get in the top ten but learned many lessons along the way.
I raced in xterra wetsuits after that day for many years. Primary because the value for the price. Recently I switched to the sailfish brand because it offers so much better flexibility in the shoulders and isn’t so hard to get out of in T1 (something you should practice before you race). Make sure to use body glide on your ankles to help the wetsuit slip past your feet in T1 and neck for irritation during the swim. My daughter suffers from rynards. I would not hesitate to use the gloves but experiment with them before the race and make sure they help. If they do, talk to the race director before the race and explain to them the situation. That will clarify any issues after.
Find a tri kit that doesn’t irritate you neck or under arms when swimming and/or running. When you find one wear it several times pre race to make sure it works for you.
Enjoy the bike but save some for the run where you will use your strength to move up the field.
I’ll just say do NOT get the $99 Xterra vivid green wetsuit.
It’ll work fine for race day, but that wetsuit gets small scratches and stretch tears like crazy even if you are being super careful.
In contrast, almost every other wetsuit, including their higher priced ones, are very scratch/tear resistant. I have a Roka that I almost abuse, and it barely has a single small tiny tear in it, whereas even with gloves on every time I used it, that cheap green Xterra looks beat to all heck. The cheap Xterra is also stiffer than the better wetsuits, but to be fair, it swims fine even if it looks kinda beat up after a few uses.
I’d say get the cheapest entry level option wetsuit online for a well known brand. Full arm or sleeveless. You do see some ladies with gloves and or footsies but it’s not common. Some also wear the warmer thicker material hats where it comes under their chin.
Second hand is too much of a lottery imo.
When you get in the water with a wetsuit there is an immediate chill factor as the water goes over your body but it goes away very quickly.
Other things to keep in mind is that when you get your suit, make sure you put it on properly. I like to wear mine high so I drag the legs up to mid leg not at ankle, and drag the arms up to mid forearm. Just makes sure it’s not tense and tight on my shoulders.
I don’t think people really need gloves to put it on if they don’t have really long nails. Also having some vasoline to put on the neck is very helpful to avoid chafing Put that on at the end and don’t touch the inside of your goggles with your vasoline fingers!