What you choose to wear during a triathlon can create a subtle advantage during the race. Though what you wear during a triathlon will vary greatly depending on what your purpose for racing is, clothing can have a positive effect both in terms of time, aerodynamics, comfort and style. Whether your priority is purely the fun of completing a triathlon or winning the race, you should carefully consider what you wear.
Tri-Suit
Whether you are a recreational or competitive triathlete, consider the convenience of a tri-suit. A tri-suit allows you to complete the swim and bike sections of the triathlon without changing your clothing. A tri-suit is form-fitting, sleeveless, drops to just above the knees and zips up in the front. A tri-suit enables you to save precious time normally lost while changing between the swimming and biking sections. It is important to note, however, that a tri-suit is essentially thin---a base layer, and not suited to cold water temperatures.
Wetsuit
Consider a triathlon-specific wetsuit if your priorities lie in the fastest swim time possible. A triathlon-specific wetsuit is much different from its more constrictive cousins used for scuba diving and surfing. A triathlon wetsuit is manufactured from thinner material and allows for greater freedom of movement across the shoulders. These suits offer a tactical advantage through warmth, speed and buoyancy. In effect, the materials used in these suits perch your body slightly higher along the surface of the water, thus decreasing the amount of drag and increasing your speed. If you're not completely comfortable as a swimmer, these suits lend extra confidence by keeping you slightly more afloat. These suits vary among full-coverage, sleeveless and uncovered below the knees.
Biking Shorts and Shirt
There is nothing quite like the feeling of a stiff bike racing seat after 100 miles. To reduce the chances of experiencing the painful results of such an uncomfortable position, choose the best bicycle shorts available. Seek out shorts that offer a minimum of eight panels per leg. With eight panels, your shorts will conform to the shape of your body more snuggly and comfortably. Equally important are shorts that offer significant padding in the crotch. Seek not only padding but material that is breathable as well.
Choose a bike shirt that is form-fitting, comfortable, made of a wicking material and offers a pocket or two along the lower back. Your triathlon shirt should not be flapping in the wind. It should fit your body snuggly without being constrictive. Wicking materials draw sweat away from your body, keeping you dry. Pockets give you a place to store a bottle of water, fitness bar or banana.
Running Clothes
Seek out running shorts that offer a brief inside manufactured from a wicking material such as Dri-FIT. Your running shorts need to be light and to have a short leg length and plenty of ventilation. Choose a singlet for the top that is made of the same material as your shorts. Seek models that are sleeveless, form-fitting but not constrictive and manufactured with a mesh back for greater breathability. Also, for longer races in particular, include a hat designed specifically for runners to provide protection from the sun.
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