I read with interest the posts giving evidence that aero-wheels or a new bike have improved their times. The only piece of equipment I have ever bought that has improved my time on an “empirical” basis is a pair of Orca Elite race shorts. Without changing anything else in my wardrobe I have acheived a PB by 10 minutes in a sprint triathlon (same course, same season) and by 15 minutes in a half marathon. Best $110 (70USD) I ever spent. Can anyone else provide additional proof that the right looking gear does in fact make you go faster?
My PB bike time is in a speedo. Probably would be even faster if totally naked but with some sort of an aero cup.
How did the Orca shorts contribute to a ten minute PB in a sprint?
You guys are hilarious!!
Well, you wouldn’t need the aero cup.
You mean the Men’s Elite Triathlon Pants? Guaranteed PB every time! The leg grippers are some kind of special material that won’t ride up. The bike pad is thick enough so you can do a long ride, and thin enough so as not to encumber you on the run! Available in this smart tri-color motiff. Long-lasting, affordable and they’ll give your hiney just the lift it probably needs. When I think “Men’s Elite Triathlon Pants” and “Personal Best”, I think ORCA!
They have water repellent high speed coating. But then again, I was wearing them under a wetsuit. Maybe I thought the style police would pull me off the course unless I put up a respectable time wearing such a nice piece of kit. Maybe that’s why speedos offer a time advantage: the less time spent in public in them, the better.
They’re the ones. They are really comfortable, they seem to give a nice bit of support to your thighs. I did my half IM simulation in them, no trouble. No, I am not a paid employee of Orca. I’m the sort of person who has to pay their own money for these things. BTW, my wife also commented my “package” looked better (bigger?) in these. I never ever knew she cared.
My run splits dropped dramatically once I got rid of my Lederhosen,and changed over to Desoto tri shorts. 
my wife also commented my “package” looked better (bigger?) in these
What else did you think she meant by “better”–more intelligent?
Once again, I rely on points for style making up for lack of performance in this area.
" my wife also commented my “package” looked better (bigger?) in these. I never ever knew she cared. "
I’ve got these old shorts that are not quite as supportive as when they are new. I put them on one time to go for a ride and my wife commented “my God, they make you look like you’re hung like an Italian”.
Maybe that’s why speedos offer a time advantage: the less time spent in public in them, the better.
I had an Oly PR a few weeks ago because this chalk-white chubby guy came running up next to me wearing a Speedo, no shirt and no socks. And he wanted to run with me and chat. And this was along a beachfront park trail, with zillions of horrified-looking park-goers. So, at the turnaround, I just kinda muttered, “Well, I’m warmed up now…” and I ran the hardest 3.1 miles of my life to get away from the guy.
So, yes. Kit does matter when you want to set a PR.
(I was wearing my new DeSoto hip-hugger tri pants though, and that probably helped.)
I’ve got these old shorts that are not quite as supportive as when they are new. I put them on one time to go for a ride and my wife commented “my God, they make you look like you’re hung like an Italian”.
I get nothing but grief from the missus. I run in tri shorts, all the time. When I’m heading out, my wife kinda crunches up her face and says, “Which way you going?”
If I point south, toward the beach strand where all the potheads and bums hang out, she says, “OK.”
If I point north, toward the rest of the neighborhood, past the elementary school and the park and the church, she says, “Could you wear some shorts?”
“Honey, these are shorts.”
“No they’re not. I can see your thingie. Put on some shorts.”
my wife commented “my God, they make you look like you’re hung like an Italian”.
…and she knows about this because…