What Do Women Wear During Triathlons?

Triathlons have evolved into an endurance competition found around the world. As a result, females of all ages and ability levels register for triathlons as an opportunity to test their fitness level while having fun with a challenging experience. The most technical component to triathlons is the specific skills and techniques for each sport -- swimming, cycling and running. But for females another technical component is matching clothing, gear and equipment to each sport.

Wetsuit

Wetsuits are specialized swimsuits designed for swimming during the triathlon. For women, the wetsuits should be articulated to fit the female body features. The wetsuit should fit snug to the body to reduce drag as you swim through the water. Some female swimmers also use full-body wetsuits to protect against cold-water situations.

Tri Suit

Tri suits are specialized pieces of equipment that females wear throughout the entire triathlon. For females, you can choose a one-piece or two-piece tri suit depending on your comfort level. Most competitive female triathletes choose small, lightweight two-piece tri suits to maximize performance. The tri suits are made from synthetic materials that help to control and wick moisture. Another feature of tri suits is the padded seat for the cycling stage of the triathlon.

Footwear

Females have several footwear options relating to triathlon clothing and gear, and they are essential for overall triathlon performance. Beginning female triathletes may choose to use traditional bike pedals while wearing running shoes, but experienced female triathletes choose cycling shoes and clipless pedals for the cycling stage before transitioning into running shoes for the running stage. The women-specific cycling shoes and clipless pedals improve speed and power output.

Accessories

Women wear several different accessories during a triathlon, some of which are required by the rules and regulations. For example, triathlons require swim caps for the swimming stage and a helmet for the cycling stage. Some women wear goggles during the swim and gloves for the cycling. Other accessories include an identification bracelet, anti-chafe creams and blister care powders.