Road Cycling - Skin Suits?

What are the pros and cons of skinsuits, compared to a regular jersey and shorts? It seems like they would be more comfortable without elastic waistbands, cooler because sweat evaporates right through the material, more comfortable (no chaffing), and maybe be *slightly* more aerodynamic.

I've only seen a couple races, but I don't think anyone was wearing a skin suit- so maybe they actually aren't that great? Does anyone know why this is?

You have to be fairly confident in how you look :) Since they are fairly tight and mold to your body, no shirt to cover up unsightly cuves. I own a couple of them and find them very comfortable, more so then shorts and a jersey. It is a royal pain if you have to go to the bathroom though, other then that I don't see any drawbacks.

Skinsuits are often worn in time trials, track races, criteriums, and sometimes short road races. A jersey and shorts are more convenient when you have longer races where you need to take a feed.

Skinsuits are more aerodynamic because you don't have any excess material for the wind to hit. That's why you see them in time trials!

Skinsuits aren't that popular because if you're a road racer, you probably ride a lot of road races that you need to take food & water for. It's cheaper and easier to buy a jersey and shorts than to buy a skinsuit that is less versatile.

I happen to like skinsuits, though. So, I think they're worth the extra cash for TTs, track, and crits.

There was a pic posted on Velonews a couple of years ago of a rather portly guy, wearing a skinsuit and-get this-basketball glasses! It was reposted mercilessly. This guy looked absolutely awful in that skinsuit!
Better make sure you wouldn't mind a pic of you in the thing being taken, first.

Thanks for the info, everyone! So far the main drawbacks are no pockets for food, and it's hard to go to the bathroom... which I think I can deal with when I look at all the advantages. :)

Are there any particular brands that stand out above the rest? Is this something that could be purchased over the Internet, or am I better to find a shop and try one on?

Yeah skinsuits are really comfortable and I think they tend to be a little cooler on hot days. I race on the track at K-town and northbrook and almost everyone out here races in skinsuits. They're only really useful in short races like the track or crits though cuz you cant carry and extra stuff ( although you can always stuff a gel pack into your leg gripper:D ). The long sleeve ones with the little finger holes look really cool too. I noticed a lot of pro riders were wearing skinsuits at crit nats this year.

Umm.. as for going to the bathroom its just as easy as with regular shorts seeing as you can just roll up the leg:rolleyes: Of course I'm making the assumption that you're a man;)

For the ultimate in aerodynamics and evaporative cooling, ride nekkid! ;)

Who needs pockets? :D

Get a skinsuit for critt's and tt's, I kinda feel faster when I put mine on. just pee first.

Originally posted by D*Alex
There was a pic posted on Velonews a couple of years ago of a rather portly guy, wearing a skinsuit and-get this-basketball glasses! It was reposted mercilessly.
I remember that...
The biggest reason not to wear skin-suits? It's like beads and bell-bottoms in the 60s-70s. Somebody will take pictures... it will be hard to deny.

Wish I had saved that pic-it was hilarious!

Originally posted by HøllenHund
I race on the track at K-town

Do you mean T-Town (Trexlertown, PA)?

no... i meant K-town as in Kenosha Wi.

sorry theres only 11 tracks in the country so I didnt think I needed to clarify any more;) It must be a trackie thing to just refer to towns by the letters they start with. Maybe too many head butts into the boards:fight:

Previously owned skinsuits are inexpensive ($20-30) on internet sales from pro cyclists. They make great base layers for cool weather riding.

Rich

Thats funny.. Those who do not understand cycling gear- shorts, jerseys, et al ; would find it difficult to believe that cycling skin suits could be tighter than regular cycling gear. It seems to me, as close to the body as any jersey clings to the waist, that skin suits could be any less of a wind drag..
Never had one... noticed those riding in time trials appear to always wear skin suits..

Originally posted by HøllenHund
no... i meant K-town as in Kenosha Wi.

Right. LoL, there aren't that many people going to old Kenosha anymore, I guess I'm just not used to hearing it called K-Town! ;)

I once wore a skin suit, and my cycling buddy made a comment that the manufacturer will sue me for making there skin suit look aweful, never wore them again, he he he he

oh by the way my wife gave me that skin suit, and when I dispose of it my wife was very upset, she think I was sexy on that one and she didn't talk to me for a week, hu hu hu