XXL Tri Top

I'm 6'-2" and 255 - so tri tops are not a good look on me.  I found a sleeveless Under Armour compression shirt that looks much like a tri top - but still fits a Clydesdale sized frame.  It has worked well on my swims and obviously is fine for the bike and the run.  Black should be easy to find and it easily fits within your budget.  That's my best advice!

+1 on that.

Do the compression shirts get waterlogged from the swim at all?  Also, could one use compression shorts for a sprint triathlon as well?  Would they do well in the swim?

Edited by LittleAl 2009-04-07 11:40 AM

Thanks for the advice on the Under Armour shirt...I'll check that out...

I have found the Under Armour shirts are fantastic for clydesdale/athena size athletes. Sleeveless ones for the guys are COMFORTABLE and very durable (according to a male training partner of mine). For the ladies...there are a multitude of BRIGHT GIRLY COLORS (Sorry..I get tired of the black stuff). I purchased a bright pink one last week and it very comfortable and fits great. Check them out!!!

In the same vain. I am planning on racing in my bike jersey. This is based on the fact that I will swim in a wetsuit, but I couldn't justify a tri specific top with all of the other shirts in my drawer. I tried to ride in a tech shirt, but didn't like the way it came up my back as I road my bike.

Thanks for the tip!  You and I are almost the same height/weight and let's just say I was a little less than impressed with how I looked in a tri-top (like my gut needed any more accentuating!).  I will definitely have to give the underarmor shirt a try.

Something even better, one of the Under Arnour style shirts from Target, made by Champion, their C9 line of sportswear.

They have XXL and even XXL and fir very tight, they are really a compression t-shirt, both long sleeve and short sleeve ... wore one in my first sprint tri ... they don't get water logged, stayed tight enough against me that there was no drag, and was dry within minutes of getting out of the water and biking.

They don't have pockets, but for shorter sprints they should be fine ... you really don't need to carry anything with you ... can always grab a quick bite of a cliff bar or bite or two of a PB&J sandwhich.

That's what I did, a cliff bar 30 minutes before my swim start, a bite of PB&J at T1, had a Gu gel taped to the top tube of my bike, and at T2 some Gatorade ... made it fine ...and the Champion C9 shirt worked wonderfully.

Costs about $12 or $13 at Target.

OK I have profile design XXL http://www.profile-design.com/clothing/triathlon-specific-clothing/...

I love it - it is amazing how much of a difference a real tri top makes over and under-armor style shirt. the pockets to shove a goo or put your hat or glasses if the sun changes....

if you are wearing a wetsuit an under armor style shirt would do just fine.

I have a 48 inch chest and a 44 inch waist and my top fits me just fine

Edited by jhilsch 2009-05-12 4:06 PM

I did my first in a set of Jammers and Cycle top for cheap.

Add the $$ gear later, besides - if you meet your fitness goals, you will not want to be the same size for long!

The best site I've found for big guy stuff is Aero Tech. And I'm a BIG guy!  http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/ They've got jerseys, shirts, shorts, everything and it shipped quickly, even to Canada!

Thanks for the Target C9 Shirt idea.  Went and bought me two compression style tops with sleeves and and one no sleeve top (tri top jersey style).  We'll see how long they last.

Brian

Here is cycling shirt I picked up locally.  Almost solid black with grey shoulders.  (pic is of blue, click link to see black)  Was on sale for $40 and came in XXL.
http://cycleworksusa.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=33353

Edited by kklems 2009-06-15 12:23 AM

I'm 6ft 3in and 226lbs I bought this in XXL and it's perfect http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/triathlon/10/2XU_Mens_Endurance_3_Pocket_Tri_Singlet/5360041457/

They're based in the UK but have 5 XXL's in stock now ready to ship to the US very reasonably. I'm sure you can probably find the same product over there which may be easier.

Great idea on that man, I'll go check it out today...... Thanks!

yes i'm cheap, but walmart sells  dri fit tops and dri fit compression shorts I wear both under my wetsuit and I throw my cycling shorts over the compression shorts then when it's time to run I just peel off the cycling shorts and run in the dri fit compression shorts. They dry really fast and are comfortable. shorts 10-12 bucks and I found the shirts for 6 bucks!!!!! I've been doing this for a month and like the way they feel and at that price how can you lose.

I bought one of these based on this post. Great heads up! This thing is perfect.