ASK BETTY / WHY DOES MY TRI TOP RIDE UP?

by Kristin Mayer


Why Does My Tri Top Ride Up?

Clothing malfunctions are no fun - especially for type-A triathletes who expect perfection. I am no different. I have been racing since 1994 and like my race kit to be TIGHT. I don't want stuff flapping in the wind taking away precious seconds or distracting me from the task at hand. 

The problem is that no matter what brand I try (I tried them all), I always find that my tri-top rides up during the run. 

Recently we received several questions about tri tops riding up and bunching over the hips from our customers. The questions people ask are “Is it a manufacturing defect?” or “Did I purchase the incorrect size?”

The reality is that if your tri top rides up – it is because you are fit as hell and looking badass on the race course. Think about it, when a properly fitting tri top is pulled down all the way, the bottom should sit at the widest part of your hips. For me, that measurement is 35 inches.  This is an issue because the narrowest part of my torso (at the bottom of my rib cage) is 28 inches.  This hourglass shape that most of us have is what causes the tri top to ride up. If you are going to wear a tight fitting top, no matter what you do, physics will dictate that when you run, twist, and boogie during your race, your top will ride up and settle at the smallest part of your torso. 

As far as I am concerned, when it comes to tri tops moving during a race, it is what it is. For the last 20 years, I've been tugging at my tops while racing and survived. So do the pros. Look at race photos and you are going to see some bunching in the images. It honestly doesn't really bother me.

What bothers me more is when I yank off my wetsuit and the leg bands roll up and I have to add time into T1 to straighten them out before throwing a leg over my bike.

When you are fitting your trip top, remember that all women are shaped differently and have differing fit preferences. It might take a little experimentation to find the size/fit you like. If it rides up when you are racing a tiny bit my recommendation is to not sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day if it really bugs you  - go with a trisuit.

Just get out there and be #badassisbeautiful in #bettystyle!