FEMALE RACE CLOTHING
WHAT SHOULD WOMEN WEAR FOR THEIR FIRST TRIATHLON
Most women love to get all the right apparel, in the right colour. What should you get for your first race and how do you make the right choice? It’s really hard to say as all women’s bodies come in different size and shapes and what is comfortable for one can be terrible for another. There is no right answer but you can spend a lot of money making mistakes as well. Here are some guidelines that may help.
Triathlon clothing has come a long way since the swimming costume days and now you have so much choice
Triathlon One Piece Suit – You can swim, bike and run in these outfits and they are all in one. These are great if you’re doing a sprint to a full ironman. Great choice for a non-wetsuit triathlon
Tri pants and top – these are just as perfect as the tri suit but may not be as fast in the swim if it’s a non-wetsuit swim. For your first race this is a great option if you want to wear while training as well.
The Triathlon chamois (aids comfort when riding)
Cycling chamois (Left) Endurance Tri Chamois (right)
A triathlon chamois (padding in bike shorts) is smaller and less cumbersome than a cycling chamois (picture) and distinguishing triathlon pants from cycling pants. As the race gets longer, my preference is for more of a robust chamois (closer to bike chamois) but for sprint triathlons thin is great so you can run comfortably as well
Cycling Chamois (left) Short distance chamois (right)
Making a decision
- You need to assess your goal, if you would like to have something you can wear in training and you’re afraid this will be your only triathlon then choose the pants and top. You can wear them riding and running every day with out a problem. A triathlon suit is really only for triathlon.
- What if you don’t want to purchase anything? I would start in a swimming costume, throw on a fitted running top and shorts when I get out of the water cycling and run in this outfit. You need to know that swimming costumes and shorts without a chamois can be uncomfortable on the bike but a bit of Vaseline on the seams may be all you need (please test before race though) I would try and minimise changing clothes as for a short race, one outfit should be enough. The best part is that 1. You saved money, 2 you look great when you overtake all those people with the professional suits. When you find the love and passion for triathlon then splash out on you favourite colour suit
if you have seams on your clothing that can cause discomfort, I usually put Vaseline on the seem prior to the race and this will minimise any chaffing
What if you’re a larger female triathlete?
It’s important that you feel supported and there are two ways you can do this;
1. Good supportive bras – you will need to try these on and practice with them. Most triathlon gear will allow for a bra to be worn under. If you’re going to purchase triathlon suits or tops bring your supportive bra with you and make sure it’s comfortable
2. Good supportive lycra – you can get some great, sturdy lycra and cheap thin stuff. If you want more support then good firm lycra is important. You will pay more but it will last longer.
I would love to hear from women that fit into this category, please email me your suggestions to contact@misstriathlon.com . Thanks
