Pool swim - One piece or two

The only caveat I have is if it is a two piece MAKE SURE THE BOTTOMS ARE TIGHT. I had an experience last summer with a tankini that is best forgotten, quickly.

Watchout for the two pieces, sometimes the top parts don't really support very well when you swim and you feel like it might pull down and pop out. Lots of swimmers in the swimming world stick with the one pieces to train and race in. If you find a two piece to fits everywhere on the body go for it, but go for what feels good. Speedo has good suits, that last long, look for a polyester suit, they do not fade (learned this in college while swimming), the can be pricey but the first one i got, i still have and i am going on three years with it.
Take care,
Kelly in Tampa

Personally, I like to wear my wife's two-piece suits -- makes heads turn for sure.

Mike

Guess I had the same question. Are you talking about swimming with a "one-piece" tri suit or "one-piece" tri shorts (and putting on a shirt during transition)?
The majority of the races I have done required that men wear a top on the bike and run legs, so I have a tight-fitting tri top that I wear for the entire race along with my tri shorts. The top "felt" slower the first couple of times I wore it to swim, but now I don't even think about it.
Mark

I mean a one piece tri suit, and wearing it the whole time, or wearing just tri shorts in the pool and then putting on a shirt during T1.


By wearing the one piece, it saves me a few seconds of not having to put on a shirt. But, will it increase drag and slow me down swim wise. I am going for my junior elite card, and every second will count.

So jump in the pool and swim some 100's with and without the tri suit to see how much it really slows you down.
Mark

Regardless, either wear the trisuit or the tri top and bottom during the swim. Nothing's going to slow you down like trying to put on a shirt in T1.

I am in love with my brazilian cut two piece bikini. Being a guy, I have learned to ignore the laughter and pointing. I realize jealousy makes people do silly things. It's easier to drag someone else down than it is to build yourself up. That's what I keep reminding myself.

Okay ... be serious Ryan ...

Regardless, either wear the trisuit or the tri top and bottom during the swim. Nothing's going to slow you down like trying to put on a shirt in T1.

Common sense has arrived.

get a 2 peice tri suit, I personally hate the one peice tri suits. Good luck with your junior elite card. Are you racing Nationals in Washington on August 7th? or Junior Worlds in Japan?

Whatever you do, practice in whatever you intend to wear in the race, including your transitions. I guess the point I was trying to make earlier was that you really won't see that much effect on your swim times by wearing a tri suit, unless it fits very poorly.
Good luck with your race, and keep us updated on how you do.
Mark

I'm certain that wearing the top in the pool is slower. I can feel it. I only wear a top under a wetsuit. I pin my number to the front, so I can avoid having to put on a number belt. If it's a wetsuit-less swim, then I leave the top at home, and just use a number belt in T2. I haven't been in any races that required men to wear a top. In fact I'm bummed they make anyone wear one. Race naked.

Of course weather conditions might be a factor in race gear. I've had to pull on a heavy fleece shirt for the bike in a very cold weather race. Definitely don't swim in those.