Choosing a Tri Outfit

[Susan Otcenas]

I've been wearing Zoot Ultra stuff because I like the chamois and the chest support. How does the LG stuff compare in those areas?

Veronica

The chamois is nice. Perforated all the way through, so it dries very quickly. NO scratchy edges or seams. The suit I chose does not have a built-in bra, which is my preference. I'm a C cup, and I generally prefer a little more support than most built-ins offer. Besides, a bra in a one piece is an engineering nightmare. The bras in LGs 2-pieces are average. Not stellar, but not wimpy either. A-B-maybe-light-C should be satisfied.

[artifactos]

I am an A-cup, and I already have a sports bra that will probably match the turquoise color in the LG suits.

I might go back and try on the PI pro two-pieces, but otherwise I think the LG suits will probably work out best for me. I may order one today!

[nscrbug]

I really liked my DeSoto one-piece trisuit...it was comfortably snug but not so tight that you couldn't breathe. I did have to wear a sportsbra underneath it, because it didn't have any built-in support...but that wasn't a big deal to me, and I could use the extra support of a sportsbra anyway. What I liked most about it, was that there were no leg grippers...so no "sausage leg" effect. It worked very well for the 2 triathlons that I did back in 2008. The only downside to it, is that the suit is not chlorine-resistant...so it should not be worn in pools because the chlorine will eat away at the suit causing "thin" spots. However, they do state that very clearly in their descriptions of the trisuit...so that was completely my fault for not adhering to their warning.

[Susan Otcenas]

I really liked my DeSoto one-piece trisuit...it was comfortably snug but not so tight that you couldn't breathe. I did have to wear a sportsbra underneath it, because it didn't have any built-in support...but that wasn't a big deal to me, and I could use the extra support of a sportsbra anyway. What I liked most about it, was that there were no leg grippers...so no "sausage leg" effect. It worked very well for the 2 triathlons that I did back in 2008. The only downside to it, is that the suit is not chlorine-resistant...so it should not be worn in pools because the chlorine will eat away at the suit causing "thin" spots. However, they do state that very clearly in their descriptions of the trisuit...so that was completely my fault for not adhering to their warning.

The Desoto one piece Forza trisuit is the suit I wore in all 4 of my triathlons last year, for much the same reasons that I chose the LG this year. No leg grippers (yay!), no built-in bra. But both the DeSoto & LG has pockets, which I definitely use for carrying nutrition on the longer events. The DeSoto suit has a short inseam (not short short, but shorter than the LG) which I preferred. But, because of the nature of my job, I didn't want to wear the same brand this year. It's important for me to try out apparel from lots of different vendors. Over the years, I've worn tri apparel from most of them!

Susan

[Susan Otcenas]

BTW - I did a review of the Forza last year. The only thing they changed this year was color, so we copied my review from last year onto this year's item description. You can read it here: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDE_WFTT.html

[artifactos]

While I like the look (and price) of the Forza suit, I like the LG front zipper a little better since I tend to have to go potty after swimming. I'm uncoordinated with back zippers, so idk how I will ever adjust if I get a wetsuit.

Is there much difference between the Pro and Elite LG trisuits in terms of fit/durability? I might be doing some pool swims, so being able to stand up to chlorine would be nice.

[colby]

The chamois is nice. Perforated all the way through, so it dries very quickly. NO scratchy edges or seams. The suit I chose does not have a built-in bra, which is my preference. I'm a C cup, and I generally prefer a little more support than most built-ins offer. Besides, a bra in a one piece is an engineering nightmare. The bras in LGs 2-pieces are average. Not stellar, but not wimpy either. A-B-maybe-light-C should be satisfied.

I was surprised at how well the Zoot one-piece shelf bra held me in - and I'm a C cup in regular bras (size Medium in the CW-Xes). I wouldn't use it over Olympic distance, though. Anything longer and I wear two-piece with a Zoot tri bra.

Artifactos - you should practice learning to pee in the water. It's probably not the worst thing in the water during an OWS If you do want to pee afterward, I'd definitely go two-piece OR one-piece with NO built-in bra. The built-in bras are a nightmare to get into and out of quickly. One super-nice advantage to the one-piece is that you generally get way less chafing, too.

[Veronica]

Well, I decided to wear my one piece for my HIM next week. I figure I'm going to be DFL or pretty close to it anyway and so any time lost will not really matter.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

One super-nice advantage to the one-piece is that you generally get way less chafing, too.

I also prefer one pieces for the utter lack of abdominal pressure. Late in a long event, when I might be more prone to intestinal distress, the last thing I want is pressure from a waistband.

[artifactos]

Okay, so I did a brick this morning! With just compression shorts - no chamois. I had no real discomfort on the bike once I got moving (the first minute or so my tush was saying "uh, are you sure about this?) and I'm not noticing any lasting effects now.

Today's brick was 13 miles on the bike (including some hills and a slow start) and a 5 mile run. I'm now debating whether I enter the Olympic or Sprint distance duathlon on June 6 - I now know I can manage the sprint with just compression shorts, and I think I'd be fine for the Olympic as well. Just in case I don't make a decision on a trisuit or tri shorts by then. What do you ladies think? Go for the Olympic in my first or stick with the Sprint?

I will probably also have some questions about duathlons, but those can wait for now. I'm still debating the Pro/Elite versions of the LG trisuit - not sure which will suit my needs best!

[mariposa]

If you're only going to get one tri outfit, I'd strongly suggest getting separate tri shorts and tri top, rather than the trisuit. That way, during duathlons or bike-run brick workouts, you can wear the tri shorts with ANY choice of top. Sometimes you just won't feel like wearing a tri top in those situations - you might want better sun coverage, for example, or a shirt that's looser and more comfy.

The tri shorts and tri top don't have to be from the same company. Zoot tops, for instance, fit me great, but Zoot shorts are absolutely terrible, because I have hips.

I absolutely love Shebeest tri shorts, which ARE designed for people with hips (and not-skinny thighs).

[Veronica]

Hey I have hips! And the Zoot shorts fit me just fine.

Veronica

[artifactos]

I decided to go with the LG Pro Trisuit. It fits me rather well (and since I'm very small-boobed but have a decent size ribcage, I could probably go without a bra altogether since it pancakes me so well, haha), but the chamois does chafe a bit at the joining of my left thigh with my crotch. It only hurts on the bike, at least, but it was getting really painful and I only rode 6 miles on the bike today. Yeeks. I'm going to hope that body glide will solve all of my problems there!! And that washing it a couple times when I got home will have softened the edge of the chamois a bit more.

I love the fabric, even if it is see-through enough to show off my butt crack.