Don't bother at this point, and save the money for something else. I completed a sprint tri last October and I wore a bathing suit and tri shorts (pearl izumi) for the swim and pulled on a cycling shirt in transition that I also ran in. I dried off pretty fast on the bike and was not wet by the time I had to run.

I have 2 tri suits, and I wear them for training more than racing. On race day, I prefer the ol' standard - a good pair of tri shorts, and an appropriate top. This changes from race to race. For a sprint, something tighter is probably nice, like a sleeveless something-or-nother. Sometimes I have a shirt in transition that I'll throw on. For longer races, I much prefer sleeves. Keeps my shoulders from frying worse than KCF chicken. But that's just me.

Good luck, and great racing!

For my last two seasons (total of 5 sprints) I wore either a tight running tank top with built in bra or just a sports bra with compression shorts under my wetsuit for the swim. I put a quick drying top over the bra (t-shirt to protect my shoulders like Trijoe said) or left the wet tank and shorts on for the bike. I think I may have thrown shorts over the compression shorts for my first race or two for the run.
This year my club is ordering new tri-suits so I am going to buy one.
It is a nice to have but certainly not necessary.

ok noob question time.....what are tri shorts?

i'm going to do a sprint triathlon in june and i'm thinking i want to wear a wetsuit. (there's a place in town that rents them) i know 750m isn't that long of a swim, but even in June the water is going to be cold in Northern Alberta. so would i wear my tri shorts and shirt under my wet suit?

what else would i need for a first triathlon?

I bought an expensive ($100-$159) Tri suit for my first sprint and I loved it but honestly I don't get much use out of it unless I'm racing (which isn't all that often!!). I wouldn't suggest training in it in the pool as chlorine is super hard on clothing and I would rather save the suit for racing.

Wear on race day what you are comfortable training in. For example, if you run wearing a hat, bring a hat to race day.

For your T1 (transition 1) bring a towel and some baby powder (removes sand from your feet fast) so you can put your socks/shoes on easily. You may want to practice this once before in a brick workout (swim-->bike).

Best of luck with your training and race!!

I've done a few try-a-tri's over the last few years (planning on doing my first sprint this year) and it really doesn't matter. You will see everyone in different levels of gear and it really comes down to what you are comfortable in. Yes, down the road, I may explore more options when I have the money but for now I use what works best for me - my swimsuit and a pair of cycling shorts. Whatever you decide to wear, make sure you train in them and are comfortable in them - spend on of your "workouts" closer to the race just going through your swim/bike transition which is the hardest because you are wet. I highly recommend wearing a sports bra under your swimsuit for better support if needed (I do!). Have a towel handy for your transition. DON'T EVER try anything new on race day that hasn't been practiced and trialed in your workouts - something as little as wearing a brand new shirt may chafe and cause you unbearable blisters during your race.
It's easy to get sucked into buying newer and better equipment - I don't need to shave seconds off my time, I need to shave off minutes so I just want to get out there, get a great workout, have a great race, and above all, HAVE FUN!!!... and shop end of season sales

Like others said, get some tri shorts and a good running shirt.
Wear the shorts in the pool, transition to the bike, put the shirt on and shoes and get on your bike and go.

PS - take a look at the clearance section at performance bike .com I just picked up a set of pearl Isumi Trishorts there last week for 35 bucks (normally 70).

Last year I was my second season doing Tri's. I have an Epix Gear one piece suit that I wear for Sprints and Olympic Distances and I love it. I wear it thru all 3 activities.
I also dont wear socks when I bike. (its very hard getting socks on wet feet.) I also attach my bike shoes to my bike.

So my flow looks like this....out of the swim, I run to my bike, glasses, helmet, grab my bike and run the mount line. Mount the bike w/ my feet on my shoes and get up to speed, then slip my feet in my shoes and Im off. About 100yds from approaching the dismount, I slip my feet out of my shoes, and dismount on the line. I run my bike back to my spot, remove helmet, put on visor, put socks on, put shoes on (get a pair of YANKS) and off.

2 other things - 1 - go to beginnertriathlete.com for tips on how to set up your transition area.
2 - set up a transition area in your driveway and practice practice practice. Even if your goal is to just finish, it will make things that much better for you if you are familiar with what you are doing. Try to make it realistic. Get yourself wet and run to your bike, and try to put your shirt on, It will be very hard to do when you are wet. So figure out the best way to lay your shirt at on your bike so you can grab it, get your arms in then over your head so it doesnt get stuck.

Also - as far as wetsuits go, if you ever need one and are going to buy it, I would recommend XTerra. you can get them for about 50% off thru Beginnertriathete.com just look for the discount code.

Good luck!

Also - as far as wetsuits go, if you ever need one and are going to buy it, I would recommend XTerra. you can get them for about 50% off thru Beginnertriathete.com just look for the discount code.

Good luck!

I bought the $99 Sleeveless wetsuit from Xterra after a disastrous first race with a cheap, not made for swimming wetsuit. I was more than happy with it, especially for the price (I am in Canada so it was a little more expensive after shipping, duty and taxes. )

The xterra suits are certainly easier to find for that price, but if you don't mind deal hunting, there are better deals to be found. I've got 2 wetsuits, both bought on-line on sale, both for less than $150, both considered better suits than the xterra. One is a sleeveless TYR, the other is a long-sleeved Zoot. Both have thicker neoprene for more buoyancy than what the $99 xterra offers.

I'm not saying the xterra suits are bad (several club members have them and have been really happy), only that there are better suits out there in the same price range if you don't mind deal-hunting. Check out gearscan.com - that's where I found my zoot.


.

I agree but I am just a terrible bargain hunter. I also had some issues with which sites ship to Canada and which didn't.

Check out gearscan.com

I hate you :-) (j/k). Already dropped 50 bux on that site!

wish I didn't see this.

And it only gets worse.

I know. Currently bike shopping. Getting fit on Thursday to narrow down my choices.

One HIM on a bikes direct roadie was enough for me.

badass suit Rob!
inspiring story. good luck in your race!

badass suit Rob!
inspiring story. good luck in your race!

DITTO

You're actually more aero in your drops. Would suggest that for sprints, maybe Olys.