FAQs – Clothing for Triathlon

All of your questions about clothing for triathlon… answered!

Should I race in a one-piece trisuit or in a two-piece outfit?

Clothing For Triathlon FAQs

The one-piece trisuit is favoured by advanced triathletes because it saves one having to worry about one’s top riding up and offers aerodynamic benefits. It also has advantages in a pool based swim where you don’t wear a wetsuit.

Novice triathletes often opt for a two-piece suit because it can make pre-race nerves related toilet issues so much easier to deal with. You also get a lot more use out of a two-piece as you will wear it more often in your training sessions. Should you decide on a two-piece outfit, remember that a tank top will give you more sun protection than a crop top.


What trisuit size should I buy?

When buying a one-piece trisuit, you need to consider your normal dress size and your height. Trigirl suits size S fit a UK 6-8, size M fit UK10-12 and size L fit UK14-16. However, if you are taller than average, you may need to buy a slightly larger size. If you are below average in height, a smaller size will fit you best. A trisuit must always fit snugly, without creases or excess material. So, if you find yourself between sizes, we recommend that you try the smaller size first. Of course, when buying online from us, you can always exchange your suit if you find you ordered the wrong size. Please see our size chart below for your reference.Clothing For Triathlon Size Chart

Why do I need triathlon specific clothing?

The main reason for buying a triathlon specific outfit for your race is that normal sports clothing such as running tops or gym shorts are made from heavier, slow-drying materials. They retain water and won’t dry as quickly as a tri-specific outfit, thus meaning that you run the risk of getting cold and uncomfortable on the bike. This may affect your performance or, in the worst case, result in you catching a cold.

In addition, clothing for triathlon has lots of technical features that will make your race a much more enjoyable experience. The chamois pad in the bottoms, for example, will protect your bum on the bike, while the leg gripper elastics will ensure your shorts don’t ride up when you pull your wetsuit over them.

I have a large bust, do I need to wear a sports bra?

All our trisuit and tri-tops have a separate support bra which should offer enough support for women with A cup, B cup and even C cup sizes. We recommend women with larger than C cup size to consider wearing a more supportive sports bra under their suit for maximum comfort during the run. We recommend and sell Anita sports bras for a full range of cup sizes.

For more info about bras you might want to read our Triathlon Bra Tips.

Do I wear underwear under my 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. Additionally, your underwear could retain water and counteract the quick drying properties of your suit.

Do I wear a trisuit for the whole of the race, even the swim? Do I wear it under my wetsuit? If not, how do I get changed?

Yes, a trisuit (one- or two-piece) is made for all aspects of your race, including the swim. There is no separate changing area (except for the changing tent that is often in an Iron-distance race), so you’ll need to be race-ready from the start. Trigirl’s trisuits are made from special quick-drying fabric, so you won’t stay wet for long! The trisuits also have a flattering, streamlined fit, perfect for wearing under a wetsuit and on their own.