What to wear, another thread about it...

Hi-

I know it's been talked about before but haven't really found a specific answer to my question - I'm doing a tri in three weeks and will not be using a wetsuit. I'm planning to swim in tri shorts, but am not sure what to do about a top. A friend recommended a tri bra and pulling a shirt on over it after the swim. My concern is that even though I'm smaller chested (B-ish), I'm nursing and I'm worried that a tri bra or a tri top wouldn't be supportive enough on its own.

Here's what I think my options are (enlighten me if I have better options, please!)

1. Wear a tri bra for the swim, put on another bra over it (as well as a shirt) and finish the race.

2. Use a tri top. It's snug enough.

3. Use a bra with a tri top over it. I won't chafe as much as I think I might with a wet bra underneath.

Am I missing something? All help appreciated!

It sort of depends on the compression of your bra/tri-top. I have done it a few ways. My Zoot trisuit/tri-bra are snug enough that I can wear them by themselves with only a shirt over them. My other tri-tops are not snug enough, so I wear a sports bra underneath them (and pull a shirt on for the bike/run if needed). I try to put everything "underwear" on ahead of time - putting a sports bra on a wet body is so not happening. ;)

Sports bra plus nothing over it or with a tri top, you can swim in that no problem.

I'm rather gifted up top, so this may not totally apply to you (but I need lots of support, and it seems that's what you're after, too).
I wear a supportive bra (moisture wicking) with my tight tri top over it (tri top is a waist length tank, but very tight). I swim in both because when trying to get anything on your body in T1 while wet is impossible/frustrating/irritating (IMO, anyway). :)
If you swim what you'll bike/run in, it makes things much easier. I always use body glide and don't have any chafing problems.
Good luck finding a combination that works well for you.

Being from South FL, the majority of my races are not wetsuit legal, so I understand your plight.

Here's the problem with a non-wetsuit legal swims:

As triathletes we put all of this time in the pool wearing tight fitting suits which help to eliminate drag. I can't tell you how many ladies I see at non-wetsuit legal races then pull on a tri tank that is not tight to their torso (must be tight-like a swimsuit- to torso, not just to chest) or worse yet a sleeveless tri jersey (with pockets) and attempt to do their swim in it. The amount of drag that is being produced is just mind boggling... and all of that hard work goes right down the drain.

Pulling on a tank in T1 also becomes tricky- wet skin + tight material = very difficult to get on. Use a looser tank to offset this problem and then you get drag on the bike. It's such a catch-22.

So, here's what I do:

For sprint and olympic distance, I wear a two-piece competition suit with a sport's bra underneath the top of the suit. I have also worn a one piece swim suit with a sport's bra underneath. Yes, this means no tri shorts for the ride. However, I have found that if you apply Body Glide all over your saddle before the race, you won't experience chaffing. Worrying about a chamois is pointless; tri chamois are so ridiculously thin that there isn't anything to even "pad", if you know what I mean.

Would you be open to wearing a swimsuit as I've explained above? You can always pull on looser fitting shorts in T2- you should be drier and it will be easier to get them on.

A sleek and tight fitting tri suit with a sport's bra underneath is also another good bet for non-wetsuit legal swims.

Good luck to you! Have fun!

Sprints and Olympics I wear tight compression sports bra, and one piece tri suit over, this has worked very well. No drag, and enough support in the chest area.
HIM, I wore same sports bra as always, and trishorts, then pulled on a cycling jersey to not get burnt on my shoulders and actually changed into an even more light weight shirt to run, that also covered the shoulders. The minute extra spent putting on shirt and changing is worth not being burnt to a crisp. In the olympics I am not in the sun that long so sunblock still works.
Chafing. I sweat profusely and chafe in everything, always, haven't solved that problem, usually don't wear a bra the whole following week cause I am chafed raw.

Good thread since my first Tri is coming up. I know I cannot/do not want to just do the swimsuit thing.
Option #1 Tri shorts and sports bra. (that means leaving the non-toned belly exposed!). Throwing on light singlet/tanks for bike & run.
Option #2 I a tri suit, one piece.

I might now be leaning towards second option. Either way I need to go shopping soon!

Thank you all for your thoughts!

I got hold of a TYR tri top (sports bra style). I will wear that with my tri shorts for the swim, then throw on a jersey after the swim. If it takes a little longer in T1, that's ok. I'm not thrilled with my midsection being exposed, but oh well. It's not gonna kill me! :p

I'll do a few runs wearing the tri top as a bra to see if I'll need to put on an extra layer :) after swimming. Hopefully it will be enough.

Wish me luck - this tri is to celebrate my 30th birthday - I want to do something to set the tone for my next 30 years. :cool:

On my first tri in May I did the try shorts with a bathing suit top and then threw a shirt on over the suit for the bike/run. I found it very difficult to get the shirt on over my wet body.

For my second one I bought a tri-top will build in bra (disclaimer - i don't have a lot to support) and that worked much better.

This is the one I bought and I really liked it:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_11210F.html

I think I spend a minute in the transition area the first tri just trying to get my shirt unstuck from my skin.