I am fairly new to the sport, have spent the last few years flirting with AG podiums in local sprints and enjoying the occasional Half-Marathon, but have recently decided to take training and competition to a more serious and focused effort. Entered my first half-IM for the end of the summer and I am shooting for lofty goals. This year is also the first year I have invested in Tri-Clothing and after completing my first sprint last weekends(popped a tire at mile 12 destroyed my HR and my podium chances), but I also was slow in T1 because during the swim warm-up I decided to leave my tri-top(now soaking wet) in transition because it was ballooning during the swim. I am 6’4" and about 215(210 on race days) right now, hoping to be down to under 200 by my half IM in August, but need some help about outfits for a taller guy. I bought an XL zoot compression tri-top and it barely reaches my waistline, but the neck when swimming seems to balloon out causing a ton of drag even though it felt pretty snug dry. The swim is my best leg and I can’t afford to not feel good in it, as well as have additional drag. Do other tall thinner guys just go with the L and rock the tankini look, or are the more expensive tops better compression, or perhaps is a one piece despite my inability to pee a better option with my height? The zipper is in the locked position and not coming undone. I am not sure just not looking to waste more money on a top that won’t work on race day, but as with finding a bike I feel like my only help can come from other tall guys who have already figured all this out. TIA
I’m also tall (6’5") but thinner than you (175 lbs) so this may or may not help.
For tri tops Orca in size L work well. I go sleeveless as I find it a bit more forgiving.
And I just got Nytro Zoot Custom tri top in L which fits great. I bit tighter than the Orca. You’d definitely need XL which I think may address your ballooning issue.
And of course we have to forget about one piece… those just won’t work. For now at least, maybe someone will come up with a Tall version like some wetsuits have but I think there’s just not enough of us to make it worth it.
6’5" 175! I need to get your in season nutrition plan too haha, I got down to 194 during race season last year, but don’t know if I can resist carbs to get much smaller than that. Thanks for the info, will definitely look into those 2 tops, and glad to know that the one piece is just not an option, I haven’t tried one on yet, but based on how they looked I figured that was the case.
De Soto tops are usually long - I’m 6’2 / 150 and I can wear a small or medium. Email them about sizing though. They also have a good return policy if it doesn’t work out.
I’m a tank compared to you (6’3" / 245#) and I actually just fit in a DeSoto Riviera 1-piece in XL.
Great piece of kit so far (I’ve worn it in a sprint Du and an Olympic Tri). After a wicked sunburn racing at altitude in a sleeveless top, I’m all about the short sleeves now.
6’5" 175! I need to get your in season nutrition plan too haha, I got down to 194 during race season last year, but don’t know if I can resist carbs to get much smaller than that.
I was 250 about 2.5 years ago when I got into triathlon. Also went fully plant-based (expect for fish once or twice a week) and eliminated processed foods (except for gels for races) at the same time. That will do it. No calorie restrictions and I eat a ton! Though of course it’s not for everyone, but it’s worked out well for me.
Cue the debate on protein deficiency…
sorry to hijack this thread but bigredrude can you elaborate a little on your plant-based diet?
I’ll add a little to the thread as well. I’m 6’4" 215 an race usually around 210 as well and I like the Pearl Izumi Elite INR Cool line of tri tops and shorts. The length works well for me in L or XL.
Sure. I was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago. As you may know, there’s no cure for it. Just medication to slowdown the progression of the illness which I wasn’t cool with. So did some research and there are some studies and macro data sets (not sure this is the right term here) that show that adopting a dairy-free, extremely low saturated fat diet (less than 10 g/day), can have really good results. A good study on this was done by Dr. Swank. I’m sure there are tons of people that can make convincing arguments why none of this is valid since you can’t really do long term randomized clinical trials on this stuff but I asked my doctor and the two neurologists that follow me (one here in Toronto and one at the Cleveland Clinic) if there’s any risk/downside in trying this so they said no.
Best way to avoid saturated fat is to avoid animal products… hence the plant-based diet. The simplest way to describe how I eat is unethical vegan, with some fish. Unethical because true vegans don’t eat things like honey or don’t drink most beer or wine because eggs are used in the filtration process - which I do.
I basically aim to eat about 1 to 1.5 lbs of raw vegetables each day with an emphasis on dark leafy greens. One easy want to get a chunk of that is to have a green smoothie every morning. I also look to eat about 1 lbs of cooked vegetables each day. Then I eat lots of beans, legumes, some nuts, and lots and lots of fruit. I also drink green juice (with no fruit in it other than some lemon or lime) with dinner most days. That’s a good way to get extra vegetables in you.
The no processed food thing is more a function of trying to eat cleaner and avoiding empty calories.
Again, not for everyone but it works for me. Even if I found out I don’t actually have MS tomorrow I wouldn’t change the way I eat now.
Sorry for hijacking the thread…
thank you and sorry for the diagnosis keep up the good fight you’re definitely an inspiration!
“I bought an XL zoot compression tri-top and it barely reaches my waistline”
Like this?
.
6’5" 175! I need to get your in season nutrition plan too haha, I got down to 194 during race season last year, but don’t know if I can resist carbs to get much smaller than that. Thanks for the info, will definitely look into those 2 tops, and glad to know that the one piece is just not an option, I haven’t tried one on yet, but based on how they looked I figured that was the case.
He is fat. I am 6’5", 160 
I just hit 162 after pigging out after the race Sunday, same am back to dieting so I can pig out again.
Mine was a little longer than that! But honestly I don’t care about the midriff showing at all, its more or less about finding something that keeps something on the top of me, so that the sunburn is not as bad and has some storage for trash etc. that doesn’t end up feeling like a drag suit for the swim portion. It wasn’t awful pulling it on for the bike and the run, but it wasn’t easy and having to put on that and the HRM in T1, and I only missed the podium by less than a minute…the tire popping had a bigger impact than throwing on a soaking wet tri top, but still I’d like to swim pretty much in what i’m going to stay in all day.
6’6 here, 175lbs. Louis Garneau fits me well (Elite series). I wear a large bottom and a medium top. For the most part it stays down on my waste but I’ll show a little stomach on a quick run. By far the most comfortable top and bottom I’ve worn.
For guys our size, usually the best option to keep from showing stomach or getting the good ol’ triathlon tramp stamp sunburn is to buy a one piece kit.
I say let the belly fly, if you’re comfortable that’s all that matters.
Wow would not have expected a medium top, but I assume the small size definitely helps with preventing any drag in the water, I’d potentially need a jar of vaseline to get it on, but if thats what it takes I definitely don’t care about a little belly showing.
I bought a kit from Nytro that is 2XU brand and it fits well for tall people. I’m 6’2"ish, 190 and the large top is almost too long, and I have a longer torso. It might be perfect for you
Wow would not have expected a medium top, but I assume the small size definitely helps with preventing any drag in the water, I’d potentially need a jar of vaseline to get it on, but if thats what it takes I definitely don’t care about a little belly showing.
I know right?
The difference between the medium and large top was width, the length was pretty much identical so given my frame the med hugged much better. I’ve put it through hell so far this year and it’s still rocking.
X2 on the 2XU tops they are very long. I am 6’2" and end up tucking in the top into my compression pants - which I am sure violates some sense of Tri fashion.
Link to outfit? Interested in checking it out. Thanks
I’ve had good luck with Sugoi tops. I’m 6’6", 215lbs and haven’t had any “midriff” issues with a large top/bottom.
For tri tops Orca in size L work well.
6’2" 165lb, agree on Orca - specifically have Orca Core Basic Tri Tank Top which is length 23" in a size L. This works great for me, keeps my belly flab concealed…