Triathlon - Clothing Question

I'm looking to do my first triathlon in September. The swim portion takes place in the Long Island Sound. Now I was wondering what to do clothing wise. If I had the money I would immediately go for a good wetsuit with a race suit underneath. However, money is tight and I really want to try and avoid spending over $150. I was wondering if I should get a cheap trisuit (Waterproof; I would wear it in all three disciplines without changing) and just deal with the water or to buy some cheap aevero tri shorts and a wet suit top.

What is the best choice? Are there any better options out there?

What about renting a wetsuit and getting a decent trisuit? Some bike shops in my area rent it for like 40 bucks per day and if you buy within 30 days you get credit towards the purchase.

Several online line sites who rent:
http://www.rentawetsuit.com/
http://www.wetsuitrental.com/

Google wetsuit rental - several sites.

yeah if you need a wetsuit rent one (or you could always go without one), and get a trisuit or a top and bottom to go under it. look for deals. just whatever you do, do not change except for taking off a wetsuit and changing shoes(/socks if needed).

Just a thought:
You might be able to find a wetsuit on ebay for the cost of renting. I bought a NEW NeoSport Sprint John for $68 shipped and a NEW QRoo Ultrafull for $80 shipped. I'll use them for at least 2 or 3 events which will make it considereably less costly than renting. When I'm finished with them, they can then be resold/given to other beginners.

You might be able to find an inexpensive trisuit there as well.

Good luck

You don't need anything fancy for a wetsuit if you are only in the water for a short period of time. If you are serious about training, train in what you race in. You can pick up a 3mm shortie wet suit (one piece, but short/tshirt style) for under $100. You don't want to get anything thicker for competive swimming because it is just too bulky.

You can try these sites, they are what I use for my scuba needs. They are very well priced and have great sales all the time.

http://www.leisurepro.com
http://www.scuba.com

Good luck with your race!

ps... the swimming portion is rough.. you will get kicked and pushed under water a lot. fight for your place!

You don't need anything fancy for a wetsuit if you are only in the water for a short period of time. If you are serious about training, train in what you race in. You can pick up a 3mm shortie wet suit (one piece, but short/tshirt style) for under $100. You don't want to get anything thicker for competive swimming because it is just too bulky.

You can try these sites, they are what I use for my scuba needs. They are very well priced and have great sales all the time.

http://www.leisurepro.com
http://www.scuba.com

Good luck with your race!
!

Make sure, whatever you do, that you get a TRIATHLON wetsuit, not a scuba suit. The tri wetsuits are made for the motions you use in swimming. Scuba suits are not. You'll be chafed and miserable, as well as very tired because you'll be fighting the suit, if you use a scuba suit.

BTW, 3mm is not correct. Good tri suits will have variable thicknesses in different parts of the body ranging from 2-3mm in the arm area to 5mm in the body.

I was referring to wetsuits, because that is what he was asking for :) I have no issues with my Neo Sport from Henderson for distance swimming.

Of course a tri-suite would be optimal though. Too bad they are pretty costly yet. Which is why I suggested the 3mm wetsuit, since this is September and the water will be a little chilly.

How does this one look? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350217621912&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&salenotsupported)

If I were to get a sleeveless wetsuit but still wanted to use a shirt with sleeves, would I be able to not wear a shirt under the wetsuit and just slip one on at T1?

The Neosport Sprint John is a triathlon specific wetsuit as opposed to a scuba wetsuit as suggested by "roadie gal".
I own one but haven't used it yet so I can't give you a performance report. I'll be starting the OWS training in a couple of weeks for the SandMan Sprint in Sept.
Wear a shirt under your wetsuit if you want - I will. While a Tri Jersey/Trisuit is optimal, I don't see anything wrong with a tight fitting technical fabric t-shirt (like a Nike Dri Fit or UnderArmor Heat Gear). The Technical fabric is much better than cotton -- it won't bunch up & chafe. Also, a plain old cotton t-shirt will weigh a ton once once it's wet. (Check out the performance Ts at WalMa** if you are on a budget -- I think they are around $10.)

Should you decide to 'slip one on' in T1, bear in mind that it is a bit difficult (slow) to put on a shirt (especially a tight shirt) while you're wet.
Hope that helps....

How does this one look? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350217621912&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&salenotsupported)

If I were to get a sleeveless wetsuit but still wanted to use a shirt with sleeves, would I be able to not wear a shirt under the wetsuit and just slip one on at T1?

I own this one and have used it in 2 events and it worked great. Water temp was 61 and 62 degrees respectively. My feet were cold but can't do anything about that anyway. The suit has held up well and I haven't experienced any kind of chafing at all. And the fact it's go no legs on it makes it come off really fast. I notice others struggling with their legs but I never do.

How does this one look? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350217621912&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&salenotsupported)

If I were to get a sleeveless wetsuit but still wanted to use a shirt with sleeves, would I be able to not wear a shirt under the wetsuit and just slip one on at T1?


Ideally you should wear a tight fitting tri-top underneath, or some kind of sleeveless jersey. If you have a sleeved shirt that isn't going to interfere with swimming (i.e. pretty tight fitting) you can probably wear that under the wetsuit too. Slipping on a shirt in T1 can be pretty difficult when you're wet and your mind is frazzled and you just spent valuable time wrestling your wetsuit off.