You might want to edit your topic title. Left off a 'N'.
I'd go either tri shorts and no top or swim skin over tri shorts/top or tri suit. Race distance also plays a factor. WTC races make you wear a top for the bike and run so you'd have to factor in putting on a top.
Tri tops generally have pockets and pockets are bad for hydrodynamics as they create drag. The swim skin will not only tighten things up but it also covers the pockets.
I just usually go tri shorts. The trick is getting the top on with a wet body, having a towel helps. As for the swim skins I don't own one but there are WTC rules around the types/ones you can use as they were making them with neoprene to make them even faster. I believe swim skin with neoprene is not allowed. You would have to check your local races but I typically like to buy something that I can use at all my races.
I did Louisville this year in just my tri-shorts. Took me forever to put on my jersey. For Texas and Louisville next year, I'm going to wear a skin over my entire kit. That way I'll save a minute and move from MOP to more MOP... seriously.
I think it depends on how long a race you are talking about. For sprint/olympic distance, DeSoto makes an excellent one-piece with no pockets that is designed to be swum in and left on for the entire race. I have a 2009 liftfoil that I wear for all races less than half-ironman. I believe there are other similar options from other manufacturers. http://www.desotosport.com/product/LF1 If you are talking about a longer race where you might want the pockets, it's a question of cost/benefit. The swimskins on the market will speed up your swim, and prevent you from having to put a top on over a wet (and probably a little cold) body, saving you minute(s). But they cost ~$200 and up, which is pretty pricey for something you are only going to wear in the swim, and only in races that don't allow wetsuits.
There's no reason you can't just wear your normal tri outfit that you would wear under a wetsuit, EXCEPT for the following disadvantages: - It's slower than an alternative - just like wearing a bad swim suit in a pool race is. - you can't put anything in your pockets (e.g., gel) and expect it to be there when you're done.
If you buy the swim skin, you wear it just like a wetsuit, i.e., over the tri outfit. The good ones are made of a "faster" material than tri suits and don't have a pocket to scoop water. They can be bought tight enough to give you a bit of hydrodynamic shape.
I bought the XTERRA one, and we had a discount at the time...I am pretty sure it was $175. I have worn it 3 times so far. Once I forgot to take it off and had a bit of a warm ride. :-) It's much easier to get off than a full wetsuit...just a few seconds, as long as you remember to do it. :-)
Comments
You might want to edit your topic title. Left off a 'N'.
I'd go either tri shorts and no top or swim skin over tri shorts/top or tri suit. Race distance also plays a factor. WTC races make you wear a top for the bike and run so you'd have to factor in putting on a top.
Tri tops generally have pockets and pockets are bad for hydrodynamics as they create drag. The swim skin will not only tighten things up but it also covers the pockets.
John,
I just usually go tri shorts. The trick is getting the top on with a wet body, having a towel helps. As for the swim skins I don't own one but there are WTC rules around the types/ones you can use as they were making them with neoprene to make them even faster. I believe swim skin with neoprene is not allowed. You would have to check your local races but I typically like to buy something that I can use at all my races.
Gordon
http://www.desotosport.com/product/LF1
If you are talking about a longer race where you might want the pockets, it's a question of cost/benefit. The swimskins on the market will speed up your swim, and prevent you from having to put a top on over a wet (and probably a little cold) body, saving you minute(s). But they cost ~$200 and up, which is pretty pricey for something you are only going to wear in the swim, and only in races that don't allow wetsuits.
- It's slower than an alternative - just like wearing a bad swim suit in a pool race is.
- you can't put anything in your pockets (e.g., gel) and expect it to be there when you're done.
If you buy the swim skin, you wear it just like a wetsuit, i.e., over the tri outfit. The good ones are made of a "faster" material than tri suits and don't have a pocket to scoop water. They can be bought tight enough to give you a bit of hydrodynamic shape.
I bought the XTERRA one, and we had a discount at the time...I am pretty sure it was $175. I have worn it 3 times so far. Once I forgot to take it off and had a bit of a warm ride. :-) It's much easier to get off than a full wetsuit...just a few seconds, as long as you remember to do it. :-)