There are no stupid questions because we all ask them at one point or another.

You don't need a wetsuit, you don't need a tri suit, and you don't need a lot of things. It makes it easier if you have some of these things. For example, a tri suit is nice because it's designed to get wet, it has some basic padding for the biking, and it dries quickly. You might invest in a two piece tri suit.

Yes you can wear your swim suit, but I would recommend a pair of tri shorts and a tri jersey. You can wear them on the swim, bike, and run. If you are a guy and wear the traditional baggy swim suit/board shorts it won't be the most efficient in the water or comfortable on the bike, but if will definitely work. If your female you could just put on a pair of shorts over your suit after the swim, and maybe throw on a top if you wanted.

This might help too:

http://trifuel.com/forum/12784/should-i-care-about-tri-suit-color-or-loo...

I invested in a pair of last season's de soto tri shorts. I'm wearing that with a speedo sports bra. I'm going to bring a tshirt to put over top in case I feel like it and I'm wearing running shoes for both the bike and run.

The very best thing to wear is a big toothy ear to ear grin. You are about to enter an area of improved physical and mental health. Good for you and don't forget to wear the smile. It comes with the entry fee and is redeemable at the finish line.

running my first tri this weekend and been through many of the choices your are now faced with.

the consensous around here seems to be:

- you are not allow to expose yourself in the transition area
- wetsuits are nice but not necessary
- swim, bike, run in your bike/tri shorts
- go comando, and
- it is hard to put a shirt on when wet, so get a tri-top if possible.
- or don't worry about all of the above and (to coin a phrase) just do it.

i'm planning a slight variation of the above:

- swim, bike, run in my old bike shorts that have a thin pad (like tri shorts)
- wearing underarmor underwear (comado was uncomfortable)
- and putting on a t-shirt in transition 1, rolled up to help get it on (too fat for a tri top)

if you want to stick with the swimsuit, i'd do the whole thing in that, but expect some chaffing.

Glad someone else was thinking the same thing. I am planning on training and doing a sprint Tri. this September and am starting to round up training gear and lay plans for my summer regime as the pool will open here at the end of the month so swim training can start.

In the midst I was wondering what you wear, I am an avid mountain biker and while my baggy shorts work well on the road and in the woods they just aren't designed for swimming.

Still being overweight and out of shape I was leary of trying the tight shorts and then going to bike shorts. A tri suit looks like a good option for me. Are there any price point equivalents for Tri stuff.

Also what other critical gear is needed. Have Bike, Running shoes, need googles and swimsuit... anything else?