Why don't male runners wear tighter-fitting tops

MattAaronson

In my taper mode my mind is starting to wander to odd topics. My race-day outfit is very "traditional runner" -- a running singlet and 2" racing splits for shorts (that look like they were made in the 1970's running boom and VERY odd on a guy who has tree-trunk legs).

I would consider racing in my EN singlet, but of course you never really see male runners wearing tight-fitting singlets it seems.

Why is that? The wind is less of a factor than on the bike but you'd think it makes at least some difference. Is there some sort of range-of-motion issue where fitted tops tax the ab muscles???? You see the top women wearing sports bra tops all the time.

Just curious...

steve Beyer

The David Bowie song "Fashion" comes to mind. I wore my EN top to the half Mary I ran in Chicago this year.

Paul Hough

A running singlet is cut wider under the arms. It is close fitting but has no compression whatsoever, so even when it sticks to you if you are soaked, it is not tight on the diaphragm like a tri top. Women's sports bras are not on the diaphragm. Apart from materials, the shape and cut of a good running singlet has not really changed in half a century. Unless you are running the 100m - 200m - 400m sprint on the track, then wind drag is a non-issue. If you are racing a mid or long distance event, then wear a traditional singlet!

Scott Alexander

Just don't be THIS guy!

This is a pic of me back in 2009 with my (now) ex-gf's running singlet on.

John Bayone

Matt, My answer is wear whatever you are comfortable with. For me, I dont like anything tight since I think I look ridiculous...not as crazy as the photo that Scott provided, but ridiculous.

Scott...I laughed for a few minutes and found it hard to type this. thanks.

Dino Sarti

Nipple chafe.

Satish Punna

Posted By Matt Aaronson on 01 Oct 2013 11:11 PM

In my taper mode my mind is starting to wander to odd topics. My race-day outfit is very "traditional runner" -- a running singlet and 2" racing splits for shorts (that look like they were made in the 1970's running boom and VERY odd on a guy who has tree-trunk legs).

I would consider racing in my EN singlet, but of course you never really see male runners wearing tight-fitting singlets it seems.

Why is that? The wind is less of a factor than on the bike but you'd think it makes at least some difference. Is there some sort of range-of-motion issue where fitted tops tax the ab muscles???? You see the top women wearing sports bra tops all the time.

Just curious...

Is this a backdoor brag?  Running shorts look fine on me and my spaghetti legs (I think... or at least no one has told me otherwise).

Joseph Lombardi

LOL...taper madness....

but seriously...I have been running run races in my tri-top the last two years...5k-1/2M....as I was trianing/getting ready to run Milwaukee Marathon (last weekend)...in the summer heat& humidity...I got back to wearing trad shorts and singlet....got so comfortable in it I decided to race in it...

I think it is simply a matter of mental comfort...which do you feel most comfortable in (at the moment...because I go back and forth)....

The other consideration is if you want to carry nutrition...typically gels in Marathon are not every mile/availability is less predictable...in which case having the pockets is nice......I got around it because it was pretty cool temps...I stuffed 6 gels into the cuff of my arm warmers...(3each side)..fyi my nutrition plan for the Marathon comes from Alberto Salazar...and that is a gel every 30 mins or every 5k...whichever works for you...the key is you need about 600 extra cals over the course of the race.............

 

 

William Jenks

Matt's race has come and gone... at my mary this past year, I just wore a really good quality technical T (actually an EN one...). The cheap ones from most races I find do actually chafe a bit. I've never bought a real running singlet. :-)