How to choose your Trifonction?

Allowing you to swim, cycle and run in comfort and performance, the trifunction is essential if you're taking part in triathlons or planning to do so. A technical garment if ever there was one, the trifunction must be selected with care.

Here are a few points to help you make the right choice.

Key points

• Distance: short or long ;
• Cut: with or without sleeves;
• Tri-function or singlet ;
• Swimskin.

ALL ABOUT TRIFUNCTION SUITS

First of all, we need to know what we're talking about. A tri-suit is not to be confused with a neoprene triathlon wetsuit.which is dedicated exclusively to swimming in water temperatures between 16 and 24.5°C. A single garment for all three events, the trifunction combines the characteristics of a swimsuit, a bib short and a running suit.. The advantage is that you keep the same equipment for all three sports, saving precious time during transitions. In fact, the tri-function is essential for short distances, even if the rules don't require it. On an L distance, and even more so on an IronMan, some people may prefer to take a few minutes to change into a specific outfit for each discipline - it's a matter of personal preference and priorities.

In practical terms, this outfit is most often made in a water-repellent fabric to help you glide (when you can't or don't want to wear a neoprene wetsuit) during the swimming part, then dry quickly as soon as you get on your bike, where you can enjoy optimum comfort thanks to the chamois. Last but not least, the cut and materials are designed to make you forget you're wearing them when you're running. second-skin feel second-skin feel.

Last but not least, some models are designed in a compressive fabric to stimulate blood circulation and delay the onset of muscle fatigue and cramps.

DISTANCE

Obviously, not all trifunctions are created equal, nor do they offer the same degree of performance and comfort at every point. Aside from price differences, some trifonctions are more specifically designed for short distanceswith an emphasis on gliding in swimming andaerodynamics in cycling and running, while others are more geared towards long distances with a slightly denser chamois leather, a more comfortable front zip for good ventilation or even numerous pockets to store gels and nutrition bars.

CUTTING

In recent years, more and more athletes have been opting for trifunctions with integrated sleeves. These offer a number of advantages.
Firstly, if they are made from an aerodynamic fabric, they can be accentuate the glide even further in swimming and, above all, provide aerodynamic benefits on the bike. provide effective protection from the harmful effects of the sun's raysSecondly, they provide effective protection from the harmful effects of the sun's rays, which is particularly important in long-distance triathlons, where the skin is particularly exposed.

Finally, in very hot weather, they can paradoxically add a touch of freshness by soaking them regularly. And in cooler races, on the contrary, they can provide pleasant extra warmth.

ONE-PIECE TRIFUNCTION OR SHORT/SINGLET SET

If the one-piece trifunction is now the most common garment, it is also possible to opt for another option, the short/singlet set. Worn in the early days of the sport, this latter outfit has evolved a great deal today, with a thoroughly modern look comparable to that of a three-piece. It is also technically very similar, in terms of both cut and materials used.

L'short/singlet set can be very interesting over long distances by providing more ventilation and facilitating technical breaks. But above all, for those who don't want to attack the bike with a wet upper body (especially people with sensitive digestive systems, as a cold, wet stomach is an aggravating factor), you can choose to put on the singlet only after the swim, for example, and change again before setting off for the final run.

SWIMSKIN

Trifunctions also include hybrid products called swimskin. Halfway between a swimsuit and a trifunction, a swimskin allows you todramatically increase glide and, to a much lesser extent, buoyancy, thanks to fabrics specifically designed for hydrodynamics. A swimskin can be worn over a tri-function on days when wearing a neoprene wetsuit is not authorized, but only on certain events, usually with a private label. Races organized under the aegis of national federations do not authorize the wearing of an over-suit. However, there's nothing to stop you wearing it as a single layer in a race, even if it's less comfortable, especially on the bike, swimskins have neither chamois nor pockets..

WHICH WETSUIT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

More than your level, it's the type of distance you plan to swim that will determine your choice of wetsuit.

Short distance

If you only take part in so-called short distance (XS to M)a one-piece tri-function will be ideal for combining the three events without losing time.
Pay particular attention to the gliding and drying qualities of the tri-function, especially in the XS and S distances, where you may be tempted not to wear a wetsuit if the water temperature is pleasant. This can save you precious seconds in the first transition.
For the same reasons of glide, and because the race format doesn't require it, opt instead for a pocketless tri-function. The question of whether to choose a model with or without sleeves can legitimately arise here. It's above all a question of taste, but fair and fragile skins should still opt for sleeves for added protection against the sun's rays.

Long distance

For the L and half triathlons, and even more so for XL and IronMan eventsevents, you'll usually be wearing a neoprene wetsuit (unless you're racing in regions where water temperatures regularly exceed 24.5°C). Gliding qualities are therefore not the most important factor. On the other hand, it's vital to have a model that dries extremely quickly, so you don't catch a chill at the start of the ride, which could lead to a stomach ache, among other things. Choose a model with a dense, breathable chamois, as you'll be spending several hours in the saddle. Choose a model with a front zip to modulate ventilation.
Choose a model with plenty of pockets for storing gels and bars.
This is where a model with a sleeve comes into its own, both in terms of aerodynamics and protection against the sun's thermal rays, as well as thermal protection (hot or cold).