Triathlon Tops or Singlets

Once you have your shorts selected, you need to figure out what to wear on top.  This is where the answer might be different for men or women.  Many racers will choose a triathlon-specific top, often called a singlet, for racing.  Singlets can be nice because they can be comfortable for activities such as cycling or running, even outside of a tri race.  Good singlets range in price from $40 to $100, depending on the maker and the quality.

Women also have the option of wearing a support top, which resembles a swimsuit top or a training bra.  This enables them to choose if they want to simply wear that for the entire race, or throw a shirt over it once out of the water.

There is nothing wrong with simply throwing  on a t-shirt or a workout shirt for the bike and run.  For women, this would usually be done over a support top, but for men it would mean they come out of the water shirtless.  In any given race, a large number of racers will be wearing a simple t-shirt or workout shirt.  We have known many very competitive triathletes whose top of choice for racing is the same moisture-wicking athletic shirt they would wear on a treadmill or a long run, often by makers like Sugui.  Another option might be a cycling shirt, although they can tend to chafe during the run, especially when damp.

One thing to think about when choosing a tri top:  Because you will be a little wet when putting the top on, making it a little more difficult for everything to easily slide, and because time is of the essence in Transition 1, we like a top with a zip that helps open up the neckline and opening for your head.  A regular old t-shirt might be a little tight to put on, when factoring in wet skin.  Having something with a zipper makes the top much easier to put on, and allow helps you allow for airflow if it is a warm day. That brings us to tri-tops.