General Discussion Triathlon Talk » RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt Rss Feed  
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2012-03-15 8:12 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Champion
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

the cotton shirts end up as bike rags.

the "tech tees" never fit and are even more useless, just throw them in the goodwill bag.

i can at least use the cotton shirts as bike rags....



2012-03-15 8:16 PM
in reply to: #4098214

Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

I like Tech tees, color does not matter to me unless its a cotton tee. My bike club always has cotton tees and they are orange or day glow green. They argue its for visibility which is true, but its a cotton shirt. I'm not going to work out in cotton, or wear a day glow shirt around town, so they end up siting in my closet or becoming garage rags.

 

2012-03-15 8:21 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Regular
174
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Kansas City Area
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Tech only please. I hate it when my race shirts are cotton which I then never ever wear again - especially to train in. I would LOVE to have another option like others have mentioned. Shorts, socks, visor, etc. one of my favorite Schwag items are the tech socks I got from the Twin Cities marathon from 2009. Have too many shirts already. Thanks for asking!! This might make an interesting poll too.
2012-03-15 8:25 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Master
1862
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San Mateo, CA
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

A few years ago, I raced the Emerald Across the Bay 12K, and the race sponsors sold a long sleeved technical shirt with a thicker wicking material, and with only one sponsor it's not littered with logos & came with a nice design.  The shirt was manufactured by Sport-Tek, and it is my favorite tech shirt of all the shirts I've either received for free or bought.  And, they gave away a free-be long sleeved cotton shirt made by Gildan, which I also prefer to a short sleeved t-shirt. I wear the higher quality technical t-shirts that come with a waffle like material, but some of the ultra cheapy shirts I've received lately I cannot wear because they'll latch onto any/every possible body hair and pull on it.  It's really annoying (and painful), esp when running.

 

2012-03-15 8:27 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Expert
819
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Cincinnati
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

I agree with tech shirts, women's sizing - hopefully accurate women's sizing. I hate getting race shirts in the smallest size and then swimming in them, and there are plenty of women smaller than I am!

I don't like white for tech shirts unless they're good quality - thicker material. I have white race shirts and you can see my entire sports bra and my belly button. Ugh.

V-necks are awesome.

I like it when race shirts are a little unusual - a unique color, some kind of fun logo or something. I have too many shirts that have a blah race logo on the front and a bunch of sponsors on the back. I did a 10k called reindeer run that has a cute cartoon reindeer running on the front and the sponsors are listed on the back in the shape of a Christmas tree. Another one that I love is a women's specific shirt from the fit to fight triathlon - it has a teal ribbon on the front (for ovarian cancer) with all the race info and a cool artistic swim/bike/run/flower linear design at the bottom, with the same design across the top on the back, and then it says something on the back about empowering women.

Oooh, I love that shirt because it's sleeveless, too. I HATE sleeves in the summer when it's hot.

One  more thing - if there's more than one event, specify which one the person participated in! I ran the air force marathon, and my shirt says "US Air Force Marathon" with "5k-10k-Half-Full" underneath. Sorry, I ran the marathon, I don't want people thinking I did the 5k!!!! Flying Pig Marathon is good for that - they have the event - full, half, 10k, 5k, or relay - on the back of the shirt.

2012-03-15 8:33 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Elite
3913
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far northern CA
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

I did not read all of the responses.

I HATE white shirts!!!!!

Men's and women's sizes are nice.  Unisex sizes lean toward fitting men only.

Tech shirt is the best.  I really like Patagonia.

I, personally, do not like tightness around the neck.

I don't bother getting a cotton shirt unless it has a really unique design.

I like socks.  You can never have enough socks.



2012-03-15 8:52 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Expert
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

Personally either is fine with me, but PLEASE PLEASE tell me when registering!!  I wear t-shirts out and about, but only use the tech shirts for running.  Many races don't tell me which shirt they are giving out and then ask me for my size.  In a t-shirt I wear XL but in the tech shirts I am a M or L.

So, in conclusion, I will wear either as long as you tell me what I am getting in advance.  Also, no crazy colors.  As a guy any whites, greys, or blues would be fine.  I hate when I get some turquoise or lime green shirt.

2012-03-15 11:50 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

Why does it have to be a shirt?  I would love a race visor or something else.  The best "schwag" I've gotten from races are:

Yankz laces with the race logo on the plastic fastener

A race belt with "I am Fearless" all around it (the race was the fearless tri)

coffee mug with race logo which I still use at work

sunglasses cord (the kind that you can wear your glasses around your neck

 

All of these I thought were original and neat extras rather than the same old white shirt.  If it has to be a shirt, I want a tech shirt in any color but white!

2012-03-15 11:51 PM
in reply to: #4098214

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Extreme Veteran
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The Beach, CA
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

I guess I would echo what many others said, High quality tech shirts, long sleeve because I already have plenty of short sleeve.  

The option to cut the entry price by $10 and refuse the shirt is a good one.

Also the idea of shorts or a hat/visor is a good thought I saw someone mention.

 

2012-03-16 12:03 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Extreme Veteran
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Northern Virginia
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
+1 for a high quality tech tee. Any bold color is good, with a unique logo. I wear mine for training and love them. I almost never wear cotton tees.
2012-03-16 2:04 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Tech shirts for sure. Also, get shirts that actually fit tall athletic bodies, I swear 90% of my race shirts are useless because they are too short or too wide.


2012-03-16 5:29 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Elite
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Non-white tech/ performance tshirt......just no cotton......and lots of beer.
2012-03-16 6:07 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Master
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Thinnest material as possible with as few colors as possible. I'm a big fan of 2 color schemes. It's easier to match with all of my different colored shorts.
2012-03-16 9:17 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Extreme Veteran
856
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Detroit, Michigan
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

Tech tee. Regular t-shirts become work outside shirts or pajama shirts. Have a women's cut available and +1 to poster above who said make sure you have enough smalls. Also, make sure they are long enough.

I don't really care about the color (although I'm a klutz so Gatorade spills are more likely to show on a white one and make me wear it less often), but having a cool design is nice. The two I wear most often are my marathon shirts, one long-sleeved and one short-sleeved, because they have a nice design of the marathon logo on them. No preference as to neckline.

I did just get a logo hat for a race, which I thought was something different and fun. But when it comes down to it, I need more shirts than hats, assuming the shirts will actually be useful.

2012-03-16 9:20 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Member
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

I guess what I would suggest to a race director is really if your goal is to get the shirt to be worn by participants (at other expos to post workout brunch) it has to look good / great. For some reason great race shirts are pretty rare and most people race a lot during the year so we've all got a drawer full of ugly shirts. So splurge on a good clean attractive design with a common color or one that makes sense with your race.

Because you asked my favorite race shirt at the moment is the Miami Latin half marathon shirt.

 

 

2012-03-16 9:25 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Master
2500
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Crab Cake City
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
I am all about the Tech Tee. I love them and wear them to the gym and out and about. I would say no white please! I like nice colors or something that stands out. My preference is that if you are going to provide a tech tee, make it a nice one not a cheap one. My favorite is from the 9/11 memorial run I did last year. I live in the baltimore area so some of the races I did have gotten the shirts from Under Armour and they are great. I like them a little loose fitting and I like the graphics to be cool so people can tell what race I did.


2012-03-16 9:31 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Regular
459
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Gender specific sizes.  The term "unisex" is bull when it comes to tshirts; it really means "men's cut".
2012-03-16 9:45 AM
in reply to: #4098340

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Master
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Burlington, Vermont
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt

Sous - 2012-03-15 7:45 PM

To be blunt, don't do crap stuff, I'd rather not get a shirt and pay $5 less than get some joe shmo shirt that WILL end up in the donation pile.  If you're going to do it, do it right. 

 

Bingo.

And hire somebody to do the design. Spend the money to get an attractive and hip logo for your organization. I don't wear ugly shirts that some volunteer staff member created ... thereby rendering your free advertising useless. One color ink on a green t-shirt goes right into the rag pile.

If you have to go cotton, don't go the cheap route there either. Go for the t-shirt cut that are currently trendy. Think American Apparel design. I will wear a quality t-shirt.

If you can't do that ... then I'd rather not get a shirt and take a cheaper entry. 

ETA: I never buy the shirt if it's an option. If you're doing this to get your race advertised, it'll need to be free for me to wear it (or absorbed by my registration fee). 



Edited by BernardDogs 2012-03-16 9:46 AM
2012-03-16 9:48 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Master
6834
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Thank you very much for asking.

I'd suggest differentiating your race from others. Hats, visors, socks, race belts, cups, etc are all nice swag. I have shirts from every race and while I train in some of them, none of them fit everyone correctly. If I received a hat/visor from a race, I'd probably wear it quite often. If you must go the shirt route, please do men's and women's sizing, make the logo large enough to read, but not overwhelming and choose a color that will make you happy. Either a tee or a tech shirt will make about 35% - 65% of the folks happy on any given day.

2012-03-16 9:55 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Elite
3658
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Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
It would be great if you had a link to a size chart on the registration page.  The biggest knock I have heard over the years, especially from the ladies, is the shirt doesn't fit.
2012-03-16 10:43 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Veteran
406
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Salt Lake City
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
I haven't read all the replies, but in case it hasn't been said, I would really love a performance tank top/sleeveless shirt. 


2012-03-16 10:46 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
2012-03-16 10:52 AM
in reply to: #4098255

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Member
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Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Fit4Infinity - 2012-03-15 5:10 PMI prefer tech fabrics.  Tell the RD to make the event logo LARGE with vivid bold colors.
X2 plus make it a lightweight tech or a heavy long sleeve tech. One or the other no inbetween. New balance makes a great tech tee.
2012-03-16 10:58 AM
in reply to: #4099233

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Master
1460
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Burlington, Vermont
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
lisac957 - 2012-03-16 11:46 AM

Not this.

 

Wow. That one is just terrible.

"Hey ... what's that facebook thing all the kids are talking about? We should do something like that for our t-shirts this year. We could pretend like turkeys with alliterative names have Facebook accounts. Everyone will love it." 

2012-03-16 11:05 AM
in reply to: #4098214

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Expert
1111
1000100
Albuquerque, NM
Subject: RE: RD wants to know what you want in a race t-shirt
Mostly, get a quality shirt and add a good graphics design.

Some of my favorite shirts have come from Red Rock (redrockco.com) races. They do a great job on the design.. offset graphics, nice logos, etc.

For the more general stuff: tech T, in some color other than white or black, would be my preference.

Lastly, there are two races I like to do every year... One has the same shirt, in the same color, year after year... booooring! The other has the same shirt, year after year, but in a different color each year... better, but definitely not ideal.

Thanks for asking!


Edited by RockTractor 2012-03-16 11:06 AM
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