How thick should my wetsuit be for a triathlon?

Maximum wetsuit thickness for competitive triathlons is 5mm to help reduce the risk of overheating. Also, wetsuits are only permitted when the water temperature is below 21C for this very reason. All our suits contain a mix of different neoprene thickness’s, to achieve the perfect balance.

Can you do a triathlon in a normal wetsuit?

So, the answer is yes – you can legally race in a surf wetsuit as long as it’s 5mm in thickness or under, but you might get a bit hot or lose energy with each stroke compared to the race-focused triathlon suit. For newbies and seasoned athletes alike, there’s an impressive range of wetsuits to choose from these days.

Do I need a triathlon specific wetsuit?

No. You can’t wear a surfing or diving wetsuit in a triathlon. Triathlon wetsuits are specifically designed to help triathletes swim fast and comfortably in colder water over a longer distance. Surfers and divers don’t need to do this, and so their wetsuits are not designed with the same features.

Do you wear anything under a wetsuit?

Wearing nothing under your wetsuit is totally acceptable, and a matter of personal preference. However, consider these factors: Chafing: Wetsuits can chafe. Give it a try, and wear a swimsuit if it’s uncomfortable.

Can you wear a shorty wetsuit for a triathlon?

So, in the UK the vast majority of open water swims and triathlon events will allow wetsuit use. You may wear a wetsuit if the temperature is 79 (26°C) degrees to 84 (28.9°C) degrees but you won’t be eligible for awards. Anything 85 (29.5°C) degrees or over, no wetsuits are allowed.

Do you change clothes in a triathlon?

Clothing for a Triathlon You can opt to change into clothes specific to each leg of the race —or not. Some triathletes choose to do the whole race in a swimsuit for quicker transitions. Other swimmers simply pull on a pair of shorts before jumping on their bike.

What is the difference between a triathlon wetsuit and a normal wetsuit?

Wetsuits used for water sports are usually covered by abrasion-resistant Lycra and are not particularly designed for swimming positions. Triathlon wetsuits are designed for flexible swimming positions, making you comfortable especially when your arms are above your head and are pointed forward.

Can a wetsuit be too big?

If the suit is too big, it might be easy to get into, but in the water it’s not going to function properly. All the gaps and extra material will allow more water into the suit, making your body work much harder to stay warm.

Is it better to have a wetsuit too big or too small?

If your new wetsuit turns out too big, it’s essentially rendered completely ineffective. Too small, and you’ll be uncomfortable with a restricted range of movement making whichever water sport your partaking in harder than it needs to be.

Should a wetsuit be tight?

A wetsuit needs to fit snugly: if it’s too loose it’ll allow water into the suit that’ll seriously slow you down. If it’s too tight, your swimming experience won’t be pleasant. When trying on in a shop, the suit should feel tight but not restrictive.

Do triathletes Pee on the bike?

On to the matter at hand – yes, some triathletes do, in fact, pee on their bikes. If it’s not obvious, triathletes pee while riding their bike so they don’t have to stop – saving precious time for competitive races.

Do you wear a bra with a tri suit?

The answer is no. 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.