The post a few days back regarding shirtless triathletes got me thinking. Firstly, I race most of my races in conservative Utah. I would guess that at most 3% of the male triathletes go shirtless. This is certainly not a scientific survey, but just my random guess. Also, I would guess that most triathletes who go shirtless suffer from “wrestler’s syndrome” where they cannot help themselves but take off their shirt in a braggart fashion at every opportunity. These are the dudes who IMMEDIATELY after teams are set for basketball say “we’re skins” and have their shirts off in literally milliseconds. Seriously I played soccer in Germany with some of these guys who would have their shirts off in 30 degree weather in February. Dude’s racing shirtless have very little to do with shaving a precious few seconds off the clock and a whole lot more to do with being a high-needs achiever.
In any case, I certainly would not say these guys are “problematic” in triathlons or fuel some negative stereotype regarding the athletes that compete in triathlons, however.
Then again, what percentage of dudes race topless in the races you do?
The post a few days back regarding shirtless triathletes got me thinking. Firstly, I race most of my races in conservative Utah. I would guess that at most 3% of the male triathletes go shirtless. This is certainly not a scientific survey, but just my random guess. Also, I would guess that most triathletes who go shirtless suffer from “wrestler’s syndrome” where they cannot help themselves but take off their shirt in a braggart fashion at every opportunity. These are the dudes who IMMEDIATELY after teams are set for basketball say “we’re skins” and have their shirts off in literally milliseconds. Seriously I played soccer in Germany with some of these guys who would have their shirts off in 30 degree weather in February. Dude’s racing shirtless have very little to do with shaving a precious few seconds off the clock and a whole lot more to do with being a high-needs achiever.
In any case, I certainly would not say these guys are “problematic” in triathlons or fuel some negative stereotype regarding the athletes that compete in triathlons, however.
Then again, what percentage of dudes race topless in the races you do?
I’ve never wrestled and I’ve never been called a “braggart”. I’ve also never worn a shirt participating in any **sprint **distance race I’ve ever done. Do you seriously have nothing better to do during a race than to check out the fashion statement of other participants? It’s hot, you’re racing against a clock, why bother putting something on that isn’t necessary? If the rules say you must wear a top, I do.
I’m all about stereotyping. Makes life easier, but this is just stupid. Maybe your exposure has been limited to those types of “braggarts,” but I think it’s a pretty small population that fits this bill. Hell, most endurance athletes are skinny and have absolutely nothing to show off!
I much prefer running without a shirt and do so whenever I get a chance, race or not. And yet, showing off is the last thing on my mind; all I care about is comfort.
I race in NorCal and it’s also probably in the low single digits.
Speaking personally, it comes down to a comfort thing for me. In a cooler race I’ll have a top for sun protection, but in warmer races no top not only feels cooler but you don’t get the wet top sticking to your stomach.
I took Tim Deboom’s advice last year and did a race old school (speedo only) for fun (I raced back in the '80s). My take was that tri shorts are more comfortable than the speedo (esp. on the bike), but losing the top was definitely the way to go.
On a hot day wouldn’t a light coloured shirt be better at wicking away moisture and reflecting the sun, hence keeping you cooler? If it’s a comfort, style, aero thing then sure but I can’t imagine going shirtless is better for keeping cool.
A top slows me down in the swim during a sprint and wastes time getting it on before the bike.
If you are going for a PR in these races or trying to win/podium overall or in your AG then you go shirtless unless they mandate it. Its not an ego or look at me thing, that is what the award ceremony is for.
These guys all said it best, racing shirtless is much more comfortable and actually faster in a sprint for most two piece tops (mine has two pockets on the side that love to catch water). I was extremely worried about this recently because I got my clothing sponsored (on a local running store’s tri team), but they said it was fine if I didn’t wear the top for the sprint, so unless it’s pretty cold, I’m not (If I do, I might have to try duct tape on those pockets or something…). For olympics and longer though, I’ll throw a speedsuit or wetsuit over the top, so that’s not a problem.
I do all of my races in southern Georgia/north Florida and I only wear a shirt in half IM or longer races. However, I generally do sprints, with a few Oly here and there, so most of the time, I’m shirtless. I’m not exactly svelte, either. I’m a 6’2", 205 pound Clyde (although right now, I’m a 220 Clyde thanks to a winter of plantar fasciitis-inspired inactivity and several months in the weight room). If I wear a shirt, it’s usually a running singlet or a sleeveless cycling jersey. I’m not into one-piece tri suits or man bras. In our area, a lot of men, from elites to back of the packers, go shirtless.
A top slows me down in the swim during a sprint and wastes time getting it on before the bike.
If you are going for a PR in these races or trying to win/podium overall or in your AG then you go shirtless unless they mandate it. Its not an ego or look at me thing, that is what the award ceremony is for.
But what about my thickets of jungle-themed chest hair?
I would trim, but I’m worried that it might be dangerous to use a weed-whacker that close to my body.
I might go as high as 10-20% of the guys wearing shirts in shorter races here. The industry has yet to come up with a wicking fabric that can keep up with an average Gulf Coaster’s late summer sweat rate.
My first tri was a no shirt swim and a bike/run in a wife-beater. After traumatizing a former student who saw me in just my tight shorts just before the swim, I decided to get a white “tri” tank top - (not sure if that slowed me down swimming or not) - Then I decided that I would just go shirtless. Have been shirtless ever since and loving every minute of it.
…I will say that for the longer distances (Tri-America/Half) I will wear the tri top
I am not swaggering my gut - I just don’t care and it seems easier in transition
I feel you on this to some degree. The tri-ers don’t bother me though. Its the sport climbing/bouldering community that bugs me. When I’m in a gym climbing around fifty other people, the last thing I want is some dude’s sweaty chest right next to me.
Second that for Central FL. Why wear a shirt if you don’t have to?
I was away from triathlon from '99 - '08. When I decided to get back into I picked up a copy of Triathlete mag & was surprised to see all the guys wearing shirts (since nobody did previously).
I lounge around my house with no shirt on. I train with no shirt on. I get some major chafing issues and go through too many bandaids on long/sweaty/salty runs if i keep covered… as long as its warm enough (say 60+) why the hell not?
Ever tried to put on a shirt after your swim in a sprint? if its not a full zip, it will waste like 40 seconds trying to unroll the thing over your head. if it is a zip, 20-30. when seconds count, you either wear it in the water, go uni, or skip it entirely.
I play pickup games of ultimate frisbee on a twice a week throughout the spring summer and fall. i dont offer to go skins every time, but i dont have a problem if i have to- some people dont like it, so we’ll pick accordingly as to how the teams lay out. it also happens that girls dont like that rule either (we let them keep theirs on). shirts and skins is simply easier than bringing a light and dark shirt- or having someone invest in mesh pinnies that nobody will wash, and will be gross in a week after people swap etc… esp a pickup game- you cant always plan to have a white and blue teeshirt in your car incase something comes up.
Maybe I’m just sensitive, but the more running I do with a shirt on, the more my nipples hurt. If I was the only one without a shirt, I’d take the time to lube them or cover with band aids, but it’s a lot easier to just go without. Less laundry to do also.
I’ve never wrestled and I’ve never been called a “braggart”. I’ve also never worn a shirt participating in any sprint distance race I’ve ever done. Do you seriously have nothing better to do during a race than to check out the fashion statement of other participants? It’s hot, you’re racing against a clock, why bother putting something on that isn’t necessary?
