Sometimes it can be quite confusing which one to choose. Because what is the difference between a wetsuit and a trisuit? And which model of trisuit suits your preferences?
The difference between a wetsuit and a trisuit
A trisuit is a technical outfit designed specifically for triathletes who want to keep one same outfit on for all three disciplines. In fact, you take off a wetsuit after swimming in exchange for your cycling outfit. In a trisuit you can swim, bike and run.. Trisuits are made of a fabric that is similar to that of a wetsuit but it is lighter and more elastic. So you can move unhindered in all three disciplines. The trisuit is breathable and keeps your body at temperature during the race.
A trisuit with sleeves
The trisuit with sleeves has not even been around for very long, but it is already an integral part of the triathlon world. A big advantage of a trisuit with sleeves, is that it is more aero-dynamic than without sleeves. The faster you go, the more aerodynamics come into play. In fact, a test showed that the more skin you cover with faster material, the faster you go. Another advantage is that you are better protected from the sun. In fact, a trisuit has UV protection in most cases.
The disadvantage of a trisuit with sleeves can be that swimming is less comfortable. This is because there is also fabric around the shoulders. A tip is to take off the trisuit under the wetsuit at the top and put that around the waist.
A long-sleeved trisuit is allowed at races from Olympic Distance and longer (Half Triathlon and Full Triathlon. At shorter distances you may only be allowed to start with sleeveless trisuits. So check carefully which regulations apply.
A 2-piece trisuit
Sometimes a trisuit can consist of a top and a bottom. This is handy if you need different sizes or want to combine different colors. Also, a 2-piece suit is a lot more convenient if you need to make a toilet stop. That's why this suit is also more of a long-distance favorite. Often a 2-piece Trisuit feels a little freer than a 1-piece Trisuit. This is because it consists of and loose top and bottoms, giving you more freedom of movement. The only downside to a 2-piece suit is that it is less aerodynamic due to the folds that can occur.
A 1-piece trisuit
A 1-piece trisuit is often sleeveless. Because a 1-piece trisuit is one piece, it is aerodynamically very strong. It also keeps the suit in place and prevents the pants from sagging or the shirt from rolling up. A 1-piece trisuit is actually most commonly used and seen during a race. Especially at short distance, it is a favorite. However, it is wise to fit a 1-piece trisuit properly. Because it is close-fitting, it is a bit tighter than a 2-piece trisuit.
Men's trisuit and Women trisuit
When buying a trisuit, it is also wise to really take a trisuit that fits the gender. For example, the Women trisuits tailored to the body of the Women, and also the chamois that is in the trisuit is adapted to the Women.
If you buy a trisuit of e.g. the brand Castelli you should keep in mind that you should always choose one size bigger than you are used to.
