Race Suits, your thoughts?

[blckdmnd]

Every race I show up to I always see plenty of pretty cool looking race suits. Some xc store suits or team suits, or even just the random lumberjack suit

For those of you that use them what do you like about them for a race setting? Are they going to increase performance? Perhaps a boost of confidence on the start line? The team aspect is pretty cool to think about as well.

[MN Hoser]

All you need is tights and a jersey, so a bunch of "part time" racers use cycle clothing. The problem is that suits are usually pretty damn expensive (for what they are.) I just looked, and new moon has a suit for $105, and that's not bad.

Jay

[TooHeavy]

Go with a two piece for washroom duties. The tops seem to be the perfect balance between warmth and ventilation if you get the right amount of under shirt for the temperature you are racing in. I would not want to be caught in the woods over night with a race suit though.

[MN Hoser]

My mistake. I thought it was $105 for the suit. It's $105 for each piece or $200 for the suit. It seems suits are a fashion thing, so you can find them used. I still have an old one piece, and it has a two way zipper, so I never had a problem with the bathroom stuff, but it can be a hassle sitting in a porta-poty. (sp?)

Jay

[blckdmnd]

the Porta pot wisdom is great! I'm only just growing into a semi serious citizen racer. I'll look more secondhand for a good buy or something on closeout. No need to spend good money on non essentials.

[Neuro]

Even Petter Northug's recent private race suit was mocked for looking like "something a shop teacher from the 80s would wear" so no guarantees to be a hit with the fashion police no matter what you try..

[bmullin]

Two things about race suits come to mind for me.

1) I definitely feel there is a performance boost. Both real and placebo effect. If you go from skiing in baggy clothing to the tight fitting ski suit (or tights and a cycling jersey) you can feel the reduction in wind resistance. I also feel so much less encumbered when I ditch the warm-ups and go ski. Plus you feel fast :)

2) The team aspect is also pretty cool for me. I ski with/for my local shop and we've got some fairly distinctive suits. Its fun to be able to pick out your teammates from a long ways away. This goes for people you know and people you don't. If people are in team kit I always feel like I can go start a conversation even if I don't know them.

That said they are expensive. They should last you quite a while though if taken care of so consider it an investment.

Ben

[skiffrace]

Curious minds would like to know: do all the racers donning the skin-tight racing suits have the proper physique for such garb?
Because a lot of the "Euro-pro"-fakester road bicycle riders I see would improve the world by wrapping their bodies in baggy clothes instead of skin-tight lycra shorts and jerseys (yours truly included) .

ps. this is a public-service message.

[Magnus Johansson]

Curious minds would like to know: do all the racers donning the skin-tight racing suits have the proper physique for such garb?
Because a lot of the "Euro-pro"-wannabe road bicycle riders I see (yours truly included) would improve the world by wrapping their bodies in baggy clothes instead of skin-tight lycra shorts and jerseys.

ps. this is a public-service message.

Ha, ha! You are funny, Tom, and of course there are many amateur racers that do not look half as good in race suits as e.g. Stina Nilsson or Heidi Weng. Have a look at Vasaloppet!

[Run&Ski]

Love them on women!

The serious racers know there are advantages to wearing a skin tight, breathable suit, just like the runners know there are advantages to wearing minimal clothing in a running event. When races are often won by fractions of a second, racers take every legal (and sometimes illegal) advantage they can, especially if there are careers and of course money on the line. If you don't, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage. But for mere mortals and hacks on skis like myself, I'm fine with the proletarian outfit - jeans and a sweat top - when I ski. After all, I see that extra resistance as a means to a better workout.

[sangreen]

Ben mentioned that they last awhile... unfortunately not the case for mine --It is slowly shrinking and fits a little bit tighter each year

As a citizen skier, racing for me is all about having fun and the joy (experienced only after the fact) of giving a maximal effort. A race suit can factor into the first part of the equation. Every time that I squeeze into mine I am flooded with good vibes and memories of races past. Plus it's fun to represent your local team/club.

I would not buy a generic, commercial "racing suit" ($$) in place of run of the mill lycra tops/bottoms.

[bmullin]

Is the suit actually shrinking? Or is there another factor?

I wear mine for both racing and training. I'm up to four different suits in the rotation now, but the original is about 6 years old and still works just fine.

[St. Steven]

My wife thinks I should get one! Don't know if it's because I'll ski better or...but I see it a permission to buy a race suit.

[Glacier Glide]

Have always worn a one piece race suit. Started with an Odlo Norwegian 1976 team knicker suit(which I still own and occasionally race a local classic race in), followed by a full leg one piece Terriknit in the late 70's(which I still own and has been used as a Halloween costume a couple of times). Took a 2o year hiatus from skiing and then used the Terriknit again. About 9-10 years ago bought a brand new one piece Louis Garneau on Ebay for $42. Starting to get a few fuzzies on it so I am thinking it might be time to upgrade. I think I have got my money's worth out of all of them and I like one piece suits as long as there is a zipper in the right spot!
Jeff