Women - what do I wear?

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2009-08-04 12:09 PM

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Subject: Women - what do I wear?
I am a female beginner doing a mini tri at the end of this month (August). I can't find any good info on what to wear. Since it's a short distance, I don't want to go too crazy. The swim is in a pool, also.

Do I wear a regular suit to swim and throw shorts on over top for the bike/run?
Is it better to wear a one piece or two piece suit?
Would it be silly to swim in bike shorts?
Would shorts sag or chafe when wet?

Thanks for any advice!

2009-08-04 12:21 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
If you do not want to invest in tri shorts and a tri top (although if you will even keep running after your tri- you can use them for running)...

You could do a one-piece swim suit with shorts thrown over the top. If you think your swim suit will be OK to ride/run in... go for this.

Do not wear bike shorts in the pool. That padding will be miserable to bike/run in after getting wet.


2009-08-04 12:25 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?

x2 on being able to use them while running.  I bought a tri two-piece (top with little bikini-like bottoms) for track meets long before even considering getting into tri.

And I really need to stop responding on BT and get back to work...LOL.

2009-08-04 12:28 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
For sprints, and smaller, I see a lot of Women wearing a one piece bathing suit and throw on regular shorts or biking shorts on over their suit and ride/run like that.

IMO, see if you like it before investing a bunch of money.  It might not be an ideal outfit, but it will work for your event.
2009-08-04 12:33 PM
in reply to: #2327204

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?

JC5066 - 2009-08-04 1:28 PM For sprints, and smaller, I see a lot of Women wearing a one piece bathing suit and throw on regular shorts or biking shorts on over their suit and ride/run like that.

IMO, see if you like it before investing a bunch of money.  It might not be an ideal outfit, but it will work for your event.

I would be careful about following this one.

1. a one piece bathing suit does not provide alot of support in the chest to run in. of course, all depends on your build, but I would never do it. also no padding for the butt.

2. it is very difficult to put on biking shorts when you are wet.

at a minimum I would invest in tri shorts.



Edited by Nipper 2009-08-04 12:34 PM
2009-08-04 12:44 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
Thank you for the feedback!

Do you recommend definitely wearing some type of longer short for the bike leg (be it tri shorts that I swam in or longer shorts I pull on after the swim) to prevent chafing? Is that even a concern in the shorter distances?

So, to be clear, you can swim in tri shorts? Do you recommend any particular brands? I feel like they would be weird to swim in, but I have never tried it.



2009-08-04 12:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
gettingthere - 2009-08-04 12:44 PM

Thank you for the feedback!

Do you recommend definitely wearing some type of longer short for the bike leg (be it tri shorts that I swam in or longer shorts I pull on after the swim) to prevent chafing? Is that even a concern in the shorter distances?

So, to be clear, you can swim in tri shorts? Do you recommend any particular brands? I feel like they would be weird to swim in, but I have never tried it.



Tri shorts are made to swim in! They are great! I love to run in mine as well because they stay put and nothing rides up. For long runs my tri top (holds gels) and shorts are great.

Swimming is just fine in them. Just don't do swim workouts in them (not great in chlorine) to keep them around longer. Races are no problem.

Everyone likes what they like. I like certain make/models/years of Desoto tri shorts.

If you get tri shorts and a tri top you can swim/bike/run in the outfit (with nothing under it).

Good luck!

2009-08-04 12:50 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
I wore running shorts over a swimsuit for my first tri, and didn't notice any chafing (plus I'm flat chested, so I didn't notice that being a big problem either)
but now that I have done a few, I definitely prefer to be in tri shorts and a swim/tri top.

I agree that it's not a waste because I like running and biking in tri shorts, even if I wasn't racing in them, and the tri tops are basically just a very supportive swimsuit top, so it would be useful for running and swimming, too.

I understand not wanting to get too spendy for one, but tri clothes are AWESOME for everything!

Yes, you swim in tri shorts.
It feels weird for about the first minute, and now I love it!
2009-08-04 12:56 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
THANK YOU!

This is actually one subject that has been bugging me so thank you all so much for the good advice. I like to run in tight bike like shorts, so tri shorts seem like the perfect option!

Best of luck to you all in your tri-adventures!
2009-08-04 12:58 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
I agree with the ladies.  Invest in the tri shorts- you will wear them again.  I have a pair of zoot that are 6" (I think). 

For my first tri- I wore a sports bra- CWX brand.  And an EMS techwick running tank.  That seemed to work pretty well.  To prevent chafing, invest in some body glide. 

As for using a one piece and then throwing shorts on, try it first, if only to test how much support you get and to see if you can actually get the shorts on when wet.  That is really tough and why most tri'ers wear something they can wear to transition from the water to the road. 

Good luck!!
2009-08-04 1:06 PM
in reply to: #2327138

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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
I'm having the same issue.  I live in a town where Tri gear is generally not available.  Everything I've ever ordered online has not fit and had to be sent back!

I decided on just compression shorts and a sports bra top for my first Tri.  I looked at sporty bathing suits, but nothing has enough support to run in.

Hopefully my next visit to Raleigh, I can shop around and try on actual Tri clothes.

2009-08-04 2:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
kziemer -  To prevent chafing, invest in some body glide. 


Body glide? That sounds kinky! What's that for?
2009-08-04 2:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
I have my first super sprint tri this Sunday.  I'm planning on wearing a racing swimsuit (Dolfin Uglies, $30 on swimoutlet.com) with simple mesh running shorts on top.  I've run and biked in this combination a couple of times and while it's not ideal (the shorts ride up and there's no butt padding), I can manage just fine for 8 miles biking and 1.8 miles running.  I'm small enough on top so that the suit is supportive enough for me.

I'll probably invest in a tri outfit if I decide to get serious about this in the future.
2009-08-04 2:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
I can't beleive that this thread has gotten this far with out the obiglitory "This Thread is useless with out pictures"
2009-08-04 2:50 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?

gettingthere - 2009-08-04 2:28 PM
kziemer -  To prevent chafing, invest in some body glide. 


Body glide? That sounds kinky! What's that for?

It's a white stick-lubricant (kinda like antiperspirant) available at sporting goods stores.  Anywhere your skin rubs against something (other skin, seams, wetsuit, etc) it'll cut down on chafing. 

2009-08-04 2:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Women - what do I wear?
McFuzz - 2009-08-04 3:50 PM

gettingthere - 2009-08-04 2:28 PM
kziemer -  To prevent chafing, invest in some body glide. 


Body glide? That sounds kinky! What's that for?

It's a white stick-lubricant (kinda like antiperspirant) available at sporting goods stores.  Anywhere your skin rubs against something (other skin, seams, wetsuit, etc) it'll cut down on chafing. 



Thanks McFuzz for getting to this.  I use it on every conceivable body part that could be victim to chafing- running for a while has gotten me into this habit.

You should see the looks in the running store when I'm in a hurry and ask where the Astroglide is!  After I stick my foot in my mouth, I buy my BODY glide and go home


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