By necessity, triathlon apparel is versatile. Made to provide comfort and support through the vastly different sports of swimming, cycling and running, triathlon clothing must wick away sweat, dry quickly and provide support and comfort through all three legs of the race. Triathlon clothing comes in a combination of shirts and shorts or as a one-piece triathlon suit, which is essentially a combination of the two in one garment.
Shirts
Triathlon shirts are generally lightweight and made with sweat-wicking materials such as polyester that dry quickly and are not prone to chafing. Their fit is usually skin tight to prevent wrinkling and irritation when worn under a wetsuit. They also usually feature a half- to three-quarter zipper in front for venting and several low-profile pockets to stash Gu and other race-day nutrition.
Shorts
Triathlon shorts are made with the same quick-drying technical material as triathlon shirts and they also fit close to the skin, generally with a compression fit to support muscles during races. Triathlon shorts also feature a low-profile chamois pad that provides a measure of comfort in the saddle while cycling without obstructing a racer's stride during the run section.
Wetsuit
A triathlon suit alone may not provide enough warmth during the swim portion of a triathlon, so a wetsuit may be necessary. Triathlon wetsuits differ from scuba diving and surfing wetsuits because they provide a specific amount of flexibility in the shoulders and hips to allow for an efficient swimming stroke. They are also generally thicker in the chest and hips to provide a measure of buoyancy.
Footwear
When choosing footwear for a triathlon, focus should be on comfort and speed, both during the race and during transition. Cycling shoes should be stiff-soled to provide maximal pedaling power, breathable to allow feet to dry after the swim and easy to put on and remove during the swim/bike and bike/run transitions. Running shoes should also breathe well to keep feet dry and can be fitted with elastic laces for quick fastening. Look for shoes that have minimal interior seams that can be worn comfortably without socks to minimize transition time.
References
- "Complete Triathlon Book"; Matt Fitzgerald, 2003
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