I still have the first tri suit I bought and that was 2nd hand. They will last fine.
You really won’t be wearing them much. Few training sessions leading up to the race and the race itself.
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Welcome!
I was going to ask a similar question. I got one (Tactic sport) 2 years back I’ve only worn about 15 times, and it’s not quite the same true race fit anymore.
Still very good quality and better than the very cheap entry one I had first but arms and legs clearly a little saggy at the elasticated grippers. Some can definitely go see through at the back quick too if they’re thin.
Just bought a new one here for club kit otherwise I’d be looking at all the same brands already mentioned as get good reviews elsewhere.
Another +1 for raceskin though, bought one set of Bib Shorts in their crazy sale last year and love them so would try more stuff if I was buying in UK.
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Yeah, they last. Although as seems to be the way with tri suits and wetsuits, the expensive ones possibly less well than cheaper ones, seams would be the first place to go.
Fit might change. Not just the suit losing it’s shape, what about you, if you are training more, is your shape going to change? Then the 2 piece v. 1 piece debate for long course, I would say there is a fairly good chance you would want something else for your IM.
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Welcome!
Loads of great advice on here about tri.
Love probably seen the “ other “ threads !
I’m sorry.
Old school vested is the best, all that aero data about sleeves … lies… lies … lies !
Yeah, what Buzz said. I’d probably just get something cheap and cheerful initially. The likelihood is you’ll do the first sprint, then want to do more! That’s the nice bit of short course, you can race one every few weeks if you want to for fun! And so it’ll see a fair bit of use.
The kind of suit you want for an ironman will be a very personal thing, and you won’t really know what preferences you have until you’ve done a few races. Plus, as others have said, you’ll probably change shape slightly over the course of a few years.
It’s also worth saying that the expensive ones are all about the marginal gains. When starting out I (rightly) didn’t have any real care about those gains. There’s lots more to be gained in consistent training etc than worrying about the little things right away. And those gains come with a fragility in materials. That £200 bargain trisuit I mentioned…ive used in two times in races in roughly 2 years! As I don’t even use it for non-A races 
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Ha, thanks guys. That’s amazing help. There’s an Active Plus in what should be my size for £50 in Zone 3s black Friday so might give that a go.
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Has anyone noticed any difference in supposedly “short course” and “long course” trisuits, or even basic trisuits?
I don’t mean quality, I mean comfort I guess.
As long as they fit I can’t say I have been more or less comfortable in any of the what a dozen long course events I’ve done?
@gingerbongo fairly sure @Matthew_Spooner wears a sailfish suit.
I bought an anemoi last year in a sale that Jeff mentioned. No complaints from me for the money. The one pocket is shite though and wouldn’t fit a gel imo. I do find the legs a bit short ‘hot pants’ style - just waiting for someone to mention that my arse crack is on display a la @Poet like Assos bibs
I have only worn it 4 times though, would hope to get a couple more seasons out of it.
Had the Castelli san remo before that and generally liked it. One thing I would say is the zip chafed just under my belly button as it’s a two piece stitched together
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Yes, certainly. There’s trisuits I’ve owned that I’d never use for more than a 20k bike, as they offer nothing. And others that are just nicer to wear material wise (although that tends to equate £££)
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The DHB stuff from wiggle is pretty good and the ebay site have them up there for a good price
They have a cytech pad which is quality and is used by the top end cycle manufacturers
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I have the Nopinz trisuit and Sailfish. The Nopinz is getting a bit big, maybe as it is well used and maybe because I am a bit smaller.
I really love the pockets on the sailfish, lots of place to put Gels. I had no issue carrying 7 gels on the run (I eat one every 5km). Its also an aero trisuit, I think that an aero trisuit is money well spent, and my bike time in Roth wasn’t too bad. I found that I need to go down a size, I actually bought an XS as S felt too large. Even XS, when I got on the bike and suit was wet, it was “blowing up” on my chest a little, as soon as it dried it was tight to body. I think that it is stretchy to give minimum restriction when wet.
The NoPinz suit has also been great. Pockets are not really big enough so I have to put gels in a waist belt. I think that it is not quite as flexible as Sailfish
Probably going to have had to choose before get many replies, but how do people feel about white tri-suits?
Top half only of course, non-black bottom half’s are just exposed. But our club suit has option for white or black top half and figure it’ll be a lot cooler, possibly worth looking mucky for after you’ve accidentally spilt a gel down yourself 
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Yeah that would be my concern, keeping it looking white long-term. Gels, oily chain fingers etc. Plus anything white in my house never seems to last!
The heat thing not really a problem here!
I know it’s before our time, but Outlaw 2013 has been mentioned once or twice around these parts 
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Surely that would have melted any colour, and fabric! 
Your chubbier members may not appreciate white
My run club vest is white with black bits down the sides that give an attenuating look (slightly masks my love handles)
Anything white will fade greyer as you wash with darker synthetics over time
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I’ve an all white skinfit suit for years, really good suit but no problem with things being visible, until the hole appeared
But racing in the UK isn’t great for it, it’s off white now. If you are regularly doing dry races it should be fine
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I deliberately went with a white upper (and yes I did outlaw 2013).
Tbh for me, I only do a handful of races and anything long is a real commitment (Appreciate that’s the case for most people too). So if after a few races it’s not sparkly white, so be it. But if it saves one race… Then I’m happy with that compromise.
The only issue I’ve had so far was swimming local lake in just the trisuit and the white became a bit green 
Washed out tho.
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White, skin tight, sweat. Recipe for see-through-ness surely?
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I do think a bit of off-white after washing and see through top isn’t the worst thing given how much people see me with no top swimming.
But I went black in the end. At least when I swelter to death in Cairns next year I’ll look mildly better doing it, and can blame the other half for why I didn’t perform #earlysandbag
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