Clydesdale trisuits

Pearl Izumi markets a XXL size that is 42-45

http://www.tri-sports.com/pearl-izumi-mens-tri-short.html 

Can anybody provide more information about what to look for in a tri suit or tri shorts and shirt?

I read in another thread somewhere, can't remember which one, but a woman posted that at Target stores there is a C9 brand or line of exercise clothes and I think she indicated they were tri shorts and shirts and much cheaper than these other places.

If they can be found at Target then you could at least try them on first.

I actually went by Target tonight and found some athletic shorts and shorts made by Champion and some of them were called the C9 series.  There were various kinds but seemed to have some sort of liner and others had tags saying the material was "duo dry" so I don't know if this meant they were tri shorts or not.

I also saw something marketed as running shorts but they also had a liner in them like swim trunks would and also this same duo dry material.  I went ahead and bought myself an XL pair for $14.99.  If they end not being suitable then I still have a good pair of workout shorts for $15 bucks.

Might be worth checking out.

If anybody could explain in more detail what someone should be looking for in a tri suit or tri short as far as material and construction, it would be much appreciated because I'm still looking for a good tri short and am also worried about ordering online without knowing how they fit or are sized.

Kevin:  I use the Target/Champion/C-9 stuff for training and I use the tops for ridding and racing.  I use the jammer bottoms for my swim training.

Here's what I've noticed.  I find the C-9 tops as good as anything else I've worn.  The only down side is there is no front zipper like on a conventional cycling jersey or on a tri suit.  The zipper is nice because I live in Florida and on afternoon rides the temp can top out at over 100.  Opening the zipper does provide a great deal of relief from the heat.  But other than that the C-9 tops are nice.  Great price, they hold up really well, and they come in sizes big enough for us clydes. (I'm like 260-265)

Now the bottoms.  I only use the bottoms for training in the pool.   They hold up to the chlorine pretty well and are comfortable, the XXL is a true XXL.  I wouldn't use the bottoms to race, no compression panels and no chamoise pad.  And that's the major difference between the C-9 bottoms and cycling shorts/tri shorts/tri suit.   The latter have compression panels that "grip" your legs and provide some extra support and help in fighting of muscle fatigue.  Additionally, they have a pad in the butt for riding your bike.

I highly rec the C-9 tops for both training and racing, and I rec the C-9 bottoms for training in the swim, but not so much for cycling or racing.

That's my 2 cents worth.

Thank you so much,

Exactly the info I was looking for, but it brings up a couple more questions:

What are jammers?

Just read in another thread that some folks like the Under Armour tops, I guess those and the C9 tops are pretty similar.

I can't find tri shorts around here but lots of biking shorts.  I've noticed the padding.  Do Tri shorts also have padding?

I know Tri shorts can be used for swimming and dry out quick and have chamois (whatever that is), but would bike shorts be okay for swim?

I'll check some out to see if bike shorts have these compression panels as well.

Again, many thanks.  Hopefully soon I won't be asking so many questions and can instead start offering my own advise or experience once I complete a couple of races!

Jammers: long tight trunks used for swimming.  Kinda' look like "spandex" shorts that come to about mid thigh.

Chamoise:  is the pad in the butt area of cycling shorts/tri shorts/ tri suits

Tri shorts/tri suits vs. cycling shorts:  yes all three have pads in the butt area.  All three are going to have various panels that act as "compression" areas.  The main difference is in the size and material of the pad in the butt.  Cycling shorts usually have a larger thicker pad in the butt.  The thought is because all you will be doing is riding  your bike while wearing cycling shorts you don't need to worry about a pad that must dry out fast, or a pad that won't case chaffing while running. 

That being said, tri shorts/tri suits do have a pad in the butt, but it's generally smaller and less dense then the pad found in cycling shorts.   The pad in tri apparell dries quicker and isn't as big so it allows you to wear it running.  Tri shorts are designed to be worn during the entire event, you wear the same pair of shorts or tri suit for the swim/bike/run.  No changing.  Consequently, while the pad isn't as "cushie" as that found on cycling shorts, it also has the advantage of (1) drying quicker and (2) not being as bulkie so you can run wearing it.

If you google "tri apparell" you'll find lots of hits.  Not sure what size clyde you are, but there's a company called aerotech that makes "big and tall" size cycling gear.   And if you request they will put their tri pad into any of the garments that they make. 

Hope this helps.

Wow!

That is really some great information!  That should be made into a sticky post or a link and placed on the top page of this site.

Now I know exactly the differences and what I should be looking for.  I'm wanting a tri short because I plan on using it for all 3 events and this is apparently the best for that (hence the name tri short/tru suit).

I may eventually get bike shorts as well just for the bike training sessions and I can keep on using my swim trunks for now (believe me, a little drag or speed loss from trunks is NOT my big swim problem now - I just want to finish it!)

I'm around 6'1" and currently 254 lbs, but that is trending down.  My jeans are size 44 w/ 30-32 inseam, but they are loose enough now that they will fall down without a belt.  I'm guessing I'm between a 40 and 42 right now.

I'll check that website and compare the products and prices to this place I just found in Winston Salem that has tri clothing, going there for the first time after work today.

Thanks again for the detailed info, it was very helpful.

I have lots of C9 stuff for training, but I've never seen any tri bottoms or jammers. I just looked at target.com and didn't see any either. Would love to pick up a few for swim training, will have to keep an eye out.

Oh and to the OP, I wore a Zoot XXL trisuit in my first two tris (240-230lbs) and was very happy with it.