First tri coming up - wear a top to swim?

Yes on top during swim. Saves time in T1. Even if you were wearing a wetsuit, wear the top under that as well.

I learned this when I went to go and watch a triathlon as I was preparing for my first. Watching people in transition that were trying to put shirts on forever convinced me not to try and put a top on after the swim

I first used tri shorts and an under armour compression shirt.  I would rather towel quickly and put that on in T1 rather than drag it through another  1500m swim, the time difference in my case would be negligible and the energy savings significant.     Then again I had no wetsuit and I'm not the best swimmer.

6'2" 230        2:something/100

Practice your choice before race day.

How would you say your fit was....pretty tight? And did you use a tank or T? Considering (reconsidering) going this route myself but I'll do a run-through regardless.

Note that tri tops and under armor type shirts are not the same.  They have some things in common, they are stretchy and made of synthetic materials, but that's about it.  The under armor fabric is not designed to swim in and is thus not hydrodynamic.  It's better than swimming in a cotton T, but only marginally.  The tri specific tops are made of fabrics that are much more hydrodynamic and cut to minimize drag.  In the end you choose what you want, but to think that an under armor type top is the same as a tri top is not accurate.

DUMB QUESTION about this question;

I agree with wearing the top to swim however, how do you do that when you have to have the paper bib pinned on your top?  Doesnt it take more time to secure the bib in T1 to your shirt than to not wear the shirt when you swim and have the bib already secured on the shirt to slip on????  Just asking.....

Not Dumb. Answer is... a race belt with your number attached. Put it on in T2 before the run of T1 if race requires it on the bike.

Not a dumb question at all.  Go to Ebay or a local bike shop and buy a race belt.  You can get one of Ebay with shipping included for around $5.  You may pay $10 in a bike or shoe store.  This way your number is attached to the belt.  N oneed for pins for the shirt.  Just put the belt on in T1 since you do not need it for the swim.

I wore a tri top in my first tri a few weeks ago and didn't notice it at all on the swim (and I'm not a good swimmer).  They work exceptionally well for that purpose. 

Tip on the race belt - if your race doesn't require it on the bike, wait to put it on until T2 and put it on while you are running out of transition.   It will save you a few seconds. 

Get yourself a number belt.  Some triathlons want your number on your back while riding and in front while running. This makes it real easy to switch.  Also alleviates any holes you have to put in your expensive tri top.

yeah, what andy said