What do I wear to swim in a triathlon?

For most races, you will want a wetsuit, likely your most expensive purchase (outside of perhaps a bike). A great entry-level suit for all levels is the Blueseventy Fusion. Not uber expensive, but good enough so you can use it even when you get faster after your first couple races. Don't forget about swim goggles.

Do you have to wear a swim cap in a triathlon?

In a triathlon like the Rookie Tri, swim caps are provided as part of the race and are required to be worn during the swim portion of the event. Different groups will wear different colors to help signal when waves are starting. Talk to those who have the same cap color, you may just make a friend in line.

Do you have to wear a wetsuit for triathlon?

Triathletes normally wear a tri suit during a triathlon. A tri suit is made of a thin athletic material and can come in one or two-piece options. Sometimes because of colder water temperatures, a tri suit is not enough and triathletes will opt to add a wetsuit to wear during the swim.

What do you wear to swim an Ironman?

A comfortable t-shirt or singlet, shorts, a number of good pairs of running socks and a set of running shoes is the basics.

Why do triathletes wear swim caps?

Caps are meant to protect the pool from your hair and hair products. Not to keep your hair dry or to save your do. Most Swim Caps will get your hair damp and some even soaked.

Beginner Triathlon Race: What To Wear to Look and Feel Confident

Do triathletes wear fins?

You also cannot have any gloves, fins, bouys, anything that can be used for propulsion. Can't wear those. And goggles are 100% optional.

What do females wear for a triathlon?

You can wear a swimsuit if a tri-suit isn't reasonable. It should be an athletic suit that is tight fitting with no frills (for safety purposes). Women often wear a sports bra and spandex shorts in the water. Then you can toss a bike shirt on after the swim.

What do you wear under a swimsuit wetsuit?

We recommend NOT using cotton socks or socks that have extra padding or cushioning in the footbed or toes (to prevent bogginess). Using a wicking sock like a thin running or cycling sock that is higher than ankle length is the way to go.

Do I need a race belt for triathlon?

While race belts are not mandatory in triathlon, they are very convenient to use as opposed to other options especially when wearing a triathlon suit.

Is a swim skin worth it?

While a wetsuit is still the best in terms of offering buoyancy, warmth and speed, the swimskin is a great alternative when racing in non-wetsuit legal races to provide an advantage over traditional triathlon racing suits. You will want to consider buying a swimskin if you are racing in areas with mild temperatures.

Are sleeveless wetsuits worth it?

The number one reason for picking up a sleeveless suit is swimming in warmer climates and races. When air and water temperatures over longer distances rise, some athletes can overheat in a full suit. A sleeveless suit offers most of the buoyancy and speed of a full suit without the additional warmth.

What is a triathlon skin suit?

There are basically three categories of triathlon apparel: Wetsuits, Swim skins, and Tri suits/kits (including standard Cycling apparel). Wetsuits: Are made with a nonpermeable material. Usually, neoprene. This material provides buoyancy and is only legal in wetsuit legal swims or wetsuit optional waves.

What are the triathlon swimmers wearing on their ankles?

Pullbuoys feel great because they help you float nicely in the water. Paddles immediately let you know that you're working harder and increase your distance per stroke. Everybody is happy to use these 2 tools because they enhance the feel for efficiency in the water.

What stroke do you swim in a triathlon?

Hands down, freestyle is the best stroke to use when swimming in a triathlon. It is the fastest, most efficient stroke. The freestyle stroke not only allows you to move swiftly while helping you get your bearings from side to side to check for buoys or other swimmers around you.

Are you supposed to wear swimming trunks under a wetsuit?

The trunks or swimming costume you'd normally wear in your local swimming pool is all that's required to wear under your wetsuit. And if you are training for an open water swim, that's all you'll need for the rest of the season. However, there is one exception – we wouldn't recommend wearing boardshorts.

Can you wear swim shorts under wetsuit?

It is a common question, and the answer is no, a wetsuit is not waterproof! You must bare this in mind when deciding what to wear under a wetsuit, as anything under the suit will get wet. Some thicker suits are knows as “Semi-Dry” suits, but again, whatever you wear, will get wet!

What should I wear to run a swim race?

Do triathletes wear bras?

Triathlon bras are as essential to a woman's triathlon kit as a good pair of trainers or a bike. But many women don't spend time making sure that their bras fit well and offer the support that delicate breast tissue needs. In triathlon, it's straight from the swim to the bike (no changing in transition!).

Do you wear a bra under tri suit?

You should not wear underwear (except a sports bra) under your trisuit in a race. Our female-specific triathlon chamois is made to be comfortable against your skin and to protect you from chafing and discomfort on the bike, and is thin and light enough to be comfortable on the run.

What should I wear for my first triathlon?

While you might see lots of triathletes in very tight, expensive-looking Lycra one and two-piece and snazzy neoprene wetsuits for the swim, beginners don't have to follow suit. If you're starting with a pool swim, just a normal swimming costume or trunks will be fine, and you can cycle in shorts and a t-shirt.

Do triathlon swimmers use flippers?

Training with swim fins can be enormously beneficial to triathletes by improving strength. Training with swim fins can be enormously beneficial to triathletes by improving your swim your strength, flexibility and technique.

Can I wear buoyancy shorts in a triathlon?

So can you wear buoyancy shorts in a triathlon? While buoyancy shorts are a super addition to your training regime it is worth noting that they are not allowed in triathlon swims. This is for all wetsuit and for non-wetsuit swims in triathlons.

Can you rest during Ironman swim?

The IRONMAN Competition Rules allow for competitors to stop or rest at any time during the swim. If you or a fellow athlete needs help, raise your hand to alert a lifeguard or safety boat.

Is backstroke allowed in Ironman?

You can absolutely do breaststroke in an Ironman! The only stroke that you can't do in any sort of triathlon is backstroke – for two reasons; firstly, because you can't see where you're going, and secondly, because it's rolling on your back that signifies you may be in danger or at least struggling.