What thickness wetsuit do I need for triathlon?

USAT, ITU and WTC (Ironman) have rules restricting the thickness of the wetsuit to no more than 5mm. Most brands will put the thickest rubber on the front torso and legs to give the heaviest areas of your body the most buoyancy. Thinner rubber (1.5-2mm) at the shoulders allows for greater flexibility and arm speed.

Do I need a special wetsuit for triathlon?

In America, USAT guidelines state that you may wear a wetsuit if the water temperature is 78 (25.5°C) degrees or below. 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.

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.

Are wetsuits allowed in triathlons?

USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 – 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards.

How much should I spend on a triathlon wetsuit?

The price range of triathlon wetsuits varies significantly. You could spend anywhere from $50 to $700 or more for something labeled as a triathlon wetsuit.

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.

Are triathlon suits worth it?

Triathlon suits: Not necessary, but nice-to-have. A good triathlon suit is designed specifically for triathlon, and offers benefits that may help you race faster and be as comfortable as possible. On the downside, triathlon suits can be expensive, and you can easily do triathlons without them.

How much should you spend on a wetsuit?

For your first wetsuit I would suggest spending between £100-£200 to ensure that it will last you a long time, keep you warm and to make sure that you enjoy the activity of your choice to the maximum.

Should I 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.

Is it OK to wear wetsuit in pool?

Use Your Wetsuit For most wetsuit brands, it’s perfectly fine to swim in a pool in your wetsuit on occasion. Be sure to do a thorough job of rinsing it inside and out with clear water after you wear it in a chlorinated pool. For many swimmers, wetsuits feel constricting. Every few weeks, include a wetsuit set.

Should I wear a wetsuit for my first triathlon?

In a triathlon you want to wear what is called a triathlon suit or a triathlon kit (a top/bottom combo) designed to be worn in the swim, the bike, and finally the run. In other words, you do not take it off! With the exception of the wetsuit (if needed), you need not put on any other piece of clothing.

Do I need a wetsuit for 60 degree water?

For this reason, you will need a wetsuit to surf in 60° F water, as we’ll look at in more detail in a section below in this article. If you don’t have a wetsuit, you will struggle to last more than about 15 minutes surfing in water of this temperature, and even then it won’t be very pleasant.

How cold of water can you swim in without a wetsuit?

It is very common to have an otherwise comfortable swim where your forehead is so cold it makes for an uncomfortable swim. Just for some perspective, in our opinion, water (without a wetsuit) feels quite cold under 65 degrees. Comfortable around 70-75.

At what water temperature do you need a wetsuit?

If the water temperature is 77-degrees Fahrenheit or 25-degree Celsius, you don’t need a wetsuit. Any temperature below 77 F or 25 C you should wear a wetsuit, in some circumstances. The right wetsuit for the temperature is: 72F-77F (22C-25C) – Shorty during the morning, evening, and windy conditions.