I'm thinking of doing this BRW triathlon in Sydney next year and am currently sifting through the raft of different options for clothing to wear during the different legs. I've got running down, and the cycling I'll be OK with, but the swimming is doing my head in. Am now thinking of doing the swimming leg in just my Skins half tights, but just wondering if anyone has done the same? Is this a disaster waiting to happen?
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Swimming In SkinsFeasible?
Started by MTV, Nov 10 2009 01:00 PM
11 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 01:00 PM
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#2
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 01:21 PM
If the BRW is same distance as it was through 89's when I did it several times don't worry - all sorts of "interesting" gear got worn. A pair of speedos seemed all that was necessary, no need for much cushioning with short cycle leg and makes for faster & simpler transitions - may be good idea to bung on a shirt through cycle and run (sun protection & in case of crash from bike) running shoes for both cycle & run. OOPS - forgot the bike helmet
#3
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 01:26 PM
MTV, on Nov 10 2009, 02:00 PM, said:
Am now thinking of doing the swimming leg in just my Skins half tights, but just wondering if anyone has done the same? Is this a disaster waiting to happen?
Depends if you are male or female and how shy you are.
#4
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 01:26 PM
I wouldn't worry too much about what to wear - in any BRW race you'll see all sorts of things from people swimming in board shorts, speedos, skins, tri-suits, cycling knicks you name it.
It really comes down to what you're most comfortable in, and if you're worried about time, what you can change out of quickly.
The serious folks (and non-serious but built like athlete types) tend to wear something like a 2XU all in one tri suit for the swim, ride and run - means you don't have to change at all. I wouldn't recommend being seen in one of these unless you're winning the race, or built like you should be winning the race.
I went with my running shorts and a rashie for the swim, then just whipped the rashie off and put on my corporate running singlet for the ride and run. It's a short distance, so I didn't feel the need for padded shorts for the ride.
Hope this helps.
(For the record, such is the nature of the BRW races that for the ride, you'll see old bikes, new bikes, $20,000 racing bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid commuters, and a couple of $50 bombs. And in terms of competitors, you'll see short, tall, fat, thin, strong, weak, black, white, pink and yellow all competing)
It really comes down to what you're most comfortable in, and if you're worried about time, what you can change out of quickly.
The serious folks (and non-serious but built like athlete types) tend to wear something like a 2XU all in one tri suit for the swim, ride and run - means you don't have to change at all. I wouldn't recommend being seen in one of these unless you're winning the race, or built like you should be winning the race.
I went with my running shorts and a rashie for the swim, then just whipped the rashie off and put on my corporate running singlet for the ride and run. It's a short distance, so I didn't feel the need for padded shorts for the ride.
Hope this helps.
(For the record, such is the nature of the BRW races that for the ride, you'll see old bikes, new bikes, $20,000 racing bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid commuters, and a couple of $50 bombs. And in terms of competitors, you'll see short, tall, fat, thin, strong, weak, black, white, pink and yellow all competing)
#5
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 02:08 PM
MTV, I would recomend you try not to swim in Skins, especially if you like wearing them at the moment running/recovery.
Skins, are designed to be swum in so therefore if you do they lose all there compression, which is why you pay $80 for them. No a once of swim might do much damage, but would still recomenend the follwoing option.
Go with a pair of Tri Shorts (2XU, Orca, Zoot etc), as far as being embarrased about wearing lycra, wearing skins is the same thing and as mentioned above, the tri shorts are made to do all 3 legs (Swim, Bike and Run).
Now I am from WA so don't about the race mentioned, but Tri Shorts have a small amount of padding in them, so you miaswell not suffer without padding if you can have something that has it. The shorts normally range from $55 - 95 or you can get a one piece suit, but shorts are just as practical.
And if you buy Tri Shorts, you are comfy in, you can always wear them for running training in general, so you get your moneys worth out of them.
Hope that helps, good luck with race
Skins, are designed to be swum in so therefore if you do they lose all there compression, which is why you pay $80 for them. No a once of swim might do much damage, but would still recomenend the follwoing option.
Go with a pair of Tri Shorts (2XU, Orca, Zoot etc), as far as being embarrased about wearing lycra, wearing skins is the same thing and as mentioned above, the tri shorts are made to do all 3 legs (Swim, Bike and Run).
Now I am from WA so don't about the race mentioned, but Tri Shorts have a small amount of padding in them, so you miaswell not suffer without padding if you can have something that has it. The shorts normally range from $55 - 95 or you can get a one piece suit, but shorts are just as practical.
And if you buy Tri Shorts, you are comfy in, you can always wear them for running training in general, so you get your moneys worth out of them.
Hope that helps, good luck with race
#6
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 02:41 PM
I agree with Neavesy. Definitely don't go swimming in pools with them. The chlorine kills the stitching. My mate owns a sport store and gets a lot of returns who have been swimming in them. Get a pair of tri shorts. Great investment.
#7
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Posted 10 November 2009 - 03:15 PM
chilliman, on Nov 10 2009, 02:26 PM, said:
Depends if you are male or female and how shy you are.
Male + not shy. Just shuddering at the thought of speedos...
Thanks everyone for your advice, I was considering tri shorts, but I just don't know that I'll be doing any more tri's so not keen on wasting my money. The only tri shorts I've seen around are the 2xu's et al and they are all around the $100+ mark. I just figured that at that price I'd be better off wearing the $80 skins.
So with that in mind, where are these elusive $55 tri shorts located? That's a much more reasonable price I reckons. The other thing I was thinking of is Speedo Jammers which fetch about $40. No padding, but over this short a distance I don't much care about it...
#8
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Posted 12 November 2009 - 11:28 AM
MTV, you should be able to fins some Tri shorts less then $100 thats for sure, I own a sport store in WA and we have tri shorts from $79.95 but i know there is cheaper ones then that out there.
But yes your other option of Speedo Jammers will work fine and will be much better then Skins.
Good luck with tri.
But yes your other option of Speedo Jammers will work fine and will be much better then Skins.
Good luck with tri.
#9
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Posted 12 November 2009 - 11:42 AM
MTV, on Nov 10 2009, 04:15 PM, said:
The only tri shorts I've seen around are the 2xu's et al and they are all around the $100+ mark. I just figured that at that price I'd be better off wearing the $80 skins.
So with that in mind, where are these elusive $55 tri shorts located? That's a much more reasonable price I reckons. The other thing I was thinking of is Speedo Jammers which fetch about $40. No padding, but over this short a distance I don't much care about it...
So with that in mind, where are these elusive $55 tri shorts located? That's a much more reasonable price I reckons. The other thing I was thinking of is Speedo Jammers which fetch about $40. No padding, but over this short a distance I don't much care about it...
Not sure if there is a Sydney equivalent, but DFO (Discout Factory Outlets) in Melbourne have a 2XU shop where they sell 2XU gear for about half the usual price.
Not sure if this helps you or not - if you have DFO in NSW and they have a 2XU outlet, there, that may be an option.
#10
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 12 November 2009 - 12:46 PM
Based on what you've said, I'd go the jammers. Cheap and you won't feel like you're wearing budgies and they'll be enough for the ride and run. It's such a short ride you can bear it without any chamois in there.
I've bought some cheap tri stuff from ebay and from the Jaggad clothing site. With Jaggad, I go to their sales page. They have some tri shorts in there atm for $34.50au + shipping but they are out of Mediums.
You'll do this once and get hooked. This is how it starts. I started training to do the BRW this year on the Goldie. 5 short courses, a 24 hour tri relay and a HIM down now and I'm more hooked every day!
I've bought some cheap tri stuff from ebay and from the Jaggad clothing site. With Jaggad, I go to their sales page. They have some tri shorts in there atm for $34.50au + shipping but they are out of Mediums.
You'll do this once and get hooked. This is how it starts. I started training to do the BRW this year on the Goldie. 5 short courses, a 24 hour tri relay and a HIM down now and I'm more hooked every day!
#11
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rassum brassum msblsssl
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Posted 12 November 2009 - 02:00 PM
if you've already got the skins, and presuming they are the shorts? then they work fine.
i've done it and had no issues, though given the seams and their location in skins you might want to wear undies under them.
i've done it and had no issues, though given the seams and their location in skins you might want to wear undies under them.
#12
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Posted 14 November 2009 - 09:27 PM
For the last couple of years I have worn long skins over a pair of tri shorts when doing Olympic distance triathlons or the longer Bribie Island triathlons (8 km run). I don't bother for sprint distance triathlons.
I take the point that it is probably not that good for the skins, but I haven't had any problems. I find them very comfortable in the water and on the bike. I have worn the same pair in around 8-10 events and they still have their compression. I never wear them in the pool.
It may seem slightly eccentric, but I figure it minimises the risk of injury on the run leg. It also makes it easier for people to recognise me because I am generally one of the only people wearing long skins.
PBM
I take the point that it is probably not that good for the skins, but I haven't had any problems. I find them very comfortable in the water and on the bike. I have worn the same pair in around 8-10 events and they still have their compression. I never wear them in the pool.
It may seem slightly eccentric, but I figure it minimises the risk of injury on the run leg. It also makes it easier for people to recognise me because I am generally one of the only people wearing long skins.
PBM
