I’m training for a 1/2 Ironman in Sept. and figured that I might as well get some tri-specific clothing. I’ve done a few Olympic distance tri’s in running shorts fro the swim, and a bike jersey for the run and it sucks. I saw that Hammer has a skinsuit and a set of tri shorts/shirt on their site. I know the skin suit is more aerodynamic, but how silly does an average guy, just out for a fun tri, look wearing a skin suit. I’m leaning toward the shorts/shirt unless anyone can convince I won’t look like a poser.
personally I prefer a one piece tri suit (more comfortable for me), but I’ve raced quite a bit in a 2 piece which is more convenient if you need to stop when nature calls.
Awesome, that’s exactly why I posted here. I didn’t even think about trying to take a leak in a 1 piece. I imagine it’s kind of like trying to poop in the woods while wearing a flight suit.
Don’t get a skin suit, looks ridiculous unless your a Pro, get the tri top/shorts.
Its harder to find a skinsuit with pockets for gels also. I prefer seperate top and bottom now because I can find tops with pockets and bottoms with pockets.
The biggest factor is its easier to use the restroom in a 2 piece. (as mentioned above)
the skinsuit is not meant to be swum in and any aero benifit will be cancelled out by the restriction in your shoulders.
the skinsuit is not meant to be swum in and any aero benifit will be cancelled out by the restriction in your shoulders.
I’m most likely going w/ the Top/Shorts, but I though the whole point of the skinsuit was not having to change between events. Did I miss something?
Thanks for all of the replies/info from everyone.
Ok. I’m having a difficult time with the terminology here. A “skin suit” is usually a skin tight suit designed for swimming- and yes, they make you faster- but not as fast as a wetsuit. Sometimes a skin-suit is a cycling skin-suit, which is designed for the best aerodynamics. You don’t want either of these things for a triathlon.
you want either a two piece tri kit or a one piece triathlon suit.
I really like the feeling of a one piece tri suit. skin tight. no wrinkles. they really feel great on race day. I’ve peed many times in my one piece by taking it off the shoulders before I stop, and having it around my waste prior to hitting the porta potty (or woods). So, I haven’t found that nature breaks take much if any more time in a onesy. the other pluses to a one piece are there’s no digging in from a waist band, and you don’t get a sunburn on your lower back from the open spot between the top and the shorts. But- no doubt, plenty prefer a separate shorts and top. You really can’t go wrong with either.
what I’m talking about is something like this:
http://www.trisports.com/zoot-mens-performance-tri-racesuit.html
You mean swim skin.
Yep, I completely butchered the terminology, I didn’t realize the difference. I was referring to the trisuit, I’m pretty much set on the top/shorts option. Any recommendations on good or bad features to look for. Pockets on the back is really all I care about.
I also prefer one piece - the waist band on long rides starts to feel not good. I have done 70.3 in both 2 and 1 piece and prefer 1.
Desoto. I believe (not positive) they still offer a 30 day money back guarantee which you won’t use.
Just to clarify for everyone here:
Trisuit - one piece suit with (usually) a small pad for biking comfort, may or may not have pockets, zip can be front or back. Can be worn start to finish.
Two Piece Tri Kit - top and bottom separate, bottoms a lot like cycling shorts, but with much less padding for ease of run. Can be worn start to finish.
Swim Skin - hydrodynamic fabric suit that goes over the trisuit or two piece combo to boost swimming in non-wetsuit legal events. Usually only worn in the swim then removed like a wetsuit, sometimes left on due to weather
Skinsuit - cycling specific suit that usually covers more of the arms and legs than bibshorts / jersey, designed for aero advantage for pure TT cyclists. Not designed to be swum / run in
Wetsuit - hope this one is obvious
Flight suit - designed to protect pilots from excessive g-forces. This would be almost as impressive as finishing an IM in a firefighter’s kit.
The nice thing about a 1-piece that does have pockets, is that they don’t move around as much. I have an older-generation Champion Systems long-distance 1-piece with two very deep pockets, and it’s probably the only suit where I can stick a bottle (I like these funny ones), carry tools and keys on training duathlons and know that nothing will move around.
It also has a very deep front zipper - fully unzipped, it’s almost indecent - so a #1 is simply a question of finding a bush and whipping it out. On a 70.3, you shouldn’t need a full-on nature call if you’ve dialled in your nutrition and pre-race prep.
I consider the comfort and snugness without a restrictive waistband more important than quick porta-potty stops.