surf shirts/tri shirts

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2005-05-16 4:36 PM

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Elite
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Venture Industries,
Subject: surf shirts/tri shirts
Anyone ever use a surfing rash guard as a tri shirt? Seems like it's the same material as tri shirts and there are more choices (A lot more colors and xxl for me) plus they seem a little cheaper than tri shirts. Any thoughts?

2005-05-16 4:40 PM
in reply to: #158595

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Expert
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St. Louis, MO
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts

Where do you find these shirts?

2005-05-16 4:48 PM
in reply to: #158595

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flatland
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
I train sometimes in an el-cheapo-Walmart Starter brand top that is made to mimc UnderArmour stuff. I do have a tri top now, but I don't want to train in it all the time. I had the same thoughts when I saw the rash guards for sale at local Scuba shop. So far, for me, it works well, and it's cool enough because it still is a wicking material.

Probably as long as it's form fitting and not cotton, you could at least train in it.
2005-05-16 5:38 PM
in reply to: #158595

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Veteran
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Citrus Heights, CA (Sacramento)
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
I used to wear these when surfing. I do not recommend using them for tri racing though. Rash guards are designed for use in the water but are not designed to remove sweat or dry quickly like your tri shirts. I used rash guards to keep me warm in the ocean (water less than 70 degrees). Even though both shirts may use the same materials, they do not both exhibit the same qualities or capabilities.

2005-05-16 6:38 PM
in reply to: #158595


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Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
I race in a body glove rash guard shirt, and have used it in a variety of conditions from misting to damn hot. Its comfortable and has not given me any problems such as chafing. I am a "casual" triathlete and have only competed in sprint events. Perhaps I would have issues in longer events. Also, I have just started to train for the first time in the pool. The chlorine seems to be eating my shirt up.
2005-05-16 8:07 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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San Clemente, California
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
At the risk of being accused of advertising my own business.....
Rash guards:

http://store.yahoo.com/ebodyboarding/wet-stuff-rash-guards.html

2005-05-17 9:10 AM
in reply to: #158595

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Veteran
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
I was wondering the same thing, I have perfectly good ol' rashguard at my house and since I've left the coast it doesn't get much use. My only concern about training with my rashguard is it seems to retain heat more than I would expect from a Under Armor type product.
2005-05-17 11:30 AM
in reply to: #158595

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Pro
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Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
I contemplated this same question before my first tri back in March. Even though the bulk of the material is similar, I believe the problem is, as mentioned already, that once you start biking and running, it will retain too much heat.

I ended up using an under armour "heat gear" shirt as a tri shirt and that worked fine. They are pretty tight to begin with, but I bought one size smaller so that it will be tight so I can get on my wetsuit. I then used it on the bike and run and it worked fine. It dried up about 10 miles into the bike ride.
2005-05-17 1:57 PM
in reply to: #159013

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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: surf shirts/tri shirts
Thanks Auto, it puts my thoughts in more of a real situation, now I can fork over the cash for Under Armor.

auto208562 - 2005-05-17 10:30 AM

I contemplated this same question before my first tri back in March. Even though the bulk of the material is similar, I believe the problem is, as mentioned already, that once you start biking and running, it will retain too much heat.

I ended up using an under armour "heat gear" shirt as a tri shirt and that worked fine. They are pretty tight to begin with, but I bought one size smaller so that it will be tight so I can get on my wetsuit. I then used it on the bike and run and it worked fine. It dried up about 10 miles into the bike ride.
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