• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Snacking in Sneakers
  • Home
  • About + Contact
    • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Running + Triathlon
    • Free Training Plans
    • Running
    • Triathlon
    • Race Reviews
    • Fitness Tips & Workouts
  • Wellness + Travel
    • Nutrition
    • Health + Wellness Tips
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Journey to Healthy Eating: 28 Day Nutrition Challenge
    • Printable Fitness Planner
    • Triathlon Art – Set of 3 Digital Prints
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Chrissy Carroll and Snacking in Sneakers
  • Recipe Box
  • Wellness + Travel
  • Fitness, Run & Tri
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Fitness, Run & Tri

    What’s the best way to remove your wetsuit in triathlon?

    November 8, 2017 by Chrissy Carroll 28 Comments

    Every so often, I head over to PubMed to browse the latest research related to running and triathlon.  I like to see if there’s anything new related to either sports nutrition or training.  While browsing today, a 2016 study caught my eye because I’ve never seen it previously researched – wetsuit removal strategy for triathlon transition.

    The study’s goal was to find out: does the way you remove your wetsuit affect your run into the transition area?

    Essentially, the authors set out to see how different methods of wetsuit removal at the end of the swimming portion affected the athlete’s running ability to the transition area.  They compared four different scenarios:

    1. Running normally (without wearing or carrying a wetsuit – the control scenario).
    2. Wearing the wetsuit fully up
    3. Wearing the wetsuit halfway down
    4. Carrying the wetsuit

    They recruited 10 male and 10 female subjects to run in all of these scenarios for 5 minutes each.  During the runs, they measured heart rate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and VO2 (i.e. oxygen uptake – essentially a measure of running economy).

    Here’s what they found based on the different wetsuit removal strategies:

    Running without a wetsuit at all was the most efficient – which is fairly obvious, but it’s good to have that control measure.  In this case, the athletes had lower heart rates, VO2, and RPE compared to any other scenario.

    Here’s where it gets interesting though.  Athletes had a lower rate of oxygen uptake when carrying the wetsuit or running with the wetsuit fully on, compared to running with it halfway down.

    And athletes had a lower RPE when carrying the wetsuit versus wearing the wetsuit halfway down.  It tended to be lower when wearing it full compared to wearing it halfway down, though that measure was not statistically significant.

    This was all fascinating to me, since most triathletes use the halfway down approach.

    What does all that mean?

    Essentially, your running economy suffers a bit and you feel like running is harder when you’re wearing the wetsuit halfway down on your run to transition – compared to either carrying or fully wearing your wetsuit.

    But keep in mind, there are a few limitations to this research.  The between group differences were pretty small, so it’s likely not going to matter for beginner athletes.  But for an elite athlete, it may be something to consider.

    Also, the study didn’t examine any body heat measures.  So while running with the suit fully on may lower VO2, it may negatively retain body heat which would be detrimental in warm weather.

    So what’s the best way to take off your wetsuit in triathlon?

    It’s going to be an individual decision for you based on a few factors:

    How long is the distance between the swim exit and transition?  –> The longer the distance, the greater possible multiplication of the detrimental effect on running by wearing the wetsuit halfway down.  In addition, the greater the distance, the more the suit may “stick” to your body by the time you get to T1 (as the water drains out during the run).

    What is the weather like?  –> Warmer weather means a greater risk to wearing the wetsuit fully on during that run, since it can retain body heat.  

    How competitive are you? –> The small effects between the different strategies are not super important for those just out there to have fun.

    What feels most comfortable to you? –>  This is probably the best question to make your final decision, because if you feel comfortable with your strategy, you’re more likely to pull it off well.

    My personal wetsuit removal strategy?  I carry it!

    Boston Tri Swim Finish

    After a tip passed along from a fellow athlete a few years ago, I started taking my wetsuit off right before the swim exit.  It’s most important for me when there’s a long distance between the swim finish and the transition area.  I find the water loss during the run to T1 morphs my wetsuit into a clingy, straight-jacket-esque annoyance, making it super difficult to remove.

    Instead, once I get to calf deep water, I step to the side and remove it.  This allows it to slide of much easier, and I can get out of the suit quickly.  Then I carry the suit with me while I run to the transition area.

    Yes, I get weird stares and I’m sure people are probably looking at me saying – “man, check out that newb taking off her suit in the water.”  😉 

    But I’ve done that for probably my last 6 or 7 races and it works wonderfully for me.  And now this research study suggests that strategy may be beneficial outside of the fact that I don’t like feeling like I have neoprene melded to my body!

    Share with me:  How do you take off your wetsuit at a triathlon?  Have you ever tried more than one different wetsuit removal strategy?

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian, RRCA Running Coach, and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing training tips, sports nutrition information, and healthy recipes for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
    Latest posts by Chrissy Carroll (see all)
    • Oreo Overnight Oats - July 3, 2025
    • How to Build a Fitness-Fueling Power Bowl - July 2, 2025
    • High Protein Iced Sweetpotato Latte - July 1, 2025

    More Fitness, Run & Tri

    • A woman's feet next to two sets of heavy kettlebells.
      Should Runners Lift Heavy Weights or Light Weights?
    • A man doing a long run outside on a dirt path.
      Do You Really Need to Cap Your Long Run at 3 Hours?
    • A woman doing a forearm plank outside.
      Cross Training Tips for Runners (From a Coach)
    • A man looking down at his phone while out on a fall run.
      4 Best Ways to Carry Your Phone While Running – and the 3 Worst Options!
    227 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Let’s connect!

    Instagram
    Facebook
    Pinterest
    Twitter

    Looking for something?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      November 8, 2017 at 11:28 am

      I agree, the best way is always to carry it! Great tips!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:54 pm

        Glad I have a fellow athlete that feels the same! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Abbey Sharp

      November 8, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Awesome tips to get off a wet suit in a pinch!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:54 pm

        Thanks Abbey!

        Reply
    3. Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner

      November 8, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      Definitely makes sense to carry it now that you mention it! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:54 pm

        Sure thing! Do you have any tris coming up anytime soon?

        Reply
    4. Agness of Fit Travelling

      November 8, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      This is a completely new topic for me and I’m so happy I’ve learned so much from your post, Chrissy! 😉

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:54 pm

        Of course! Glad I could help.

        Reply
    5. Jessica @Small Bites by Jessica

      November 8, 2017 at 6:32 pm

      Great tips! I’ll have to keep this handy if I ever do a tri!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:55 pm

        You know you want to sign up for one… 😉

        Reply
    6. Kelly

      November 8, 2017 at 6:56 pm

      This is impressive. While I haven’t done a tri, I’ll pass the info on to others I know who have.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:55 pm

        Great – I hope your tri pals find it helpful!

        Reply
    7. Rachel

      November 8, 2017 at 7:01 pm

      Admittedly, this is something I never would have thought of. You triathletes are amazing!!!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:55 pm

        Haha, thank you! Triathlon is SO fun!

        Reply
    8. Carmy @ carmyy.com

      November 8, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      I’ve watched competitors taking off their wetsuits during races and I’m always amazed. I feel like I’d be stuck in it for forever!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:56 pm

        Haha, it’s definitely all about finding out what works best for you. That thing can be so clingy!

        Reply
    9. Emily @Sinful Nutrition

      November 9, 2017 at 7:52 am

      Such a great tip! Need to keep this handy when I cross a triathlon off my bucket list!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:56 pm

        You’re in Maine, right?! Let’s pick one mid-way to do next year!

        Reply
    10. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

      November 9, 2017 at 10:10 am

      What a good idea! Wet suits can be so clingy!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:56 pm

        Thanks Julie!

        Reply
    11. Laura

      November 9, 2017 at 10:20 am

      Great idea! They are so difficult to remove.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:56 pm

        They definitely can be a pain in the butt to get off sometimes, haha.

        Reply
    12. kalee

      November 9, 2017 at 11:15 am

      Such a great tip and also just the idea of a triathlon is good motivation!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:57 pm

        Yay!! Triathlons are super fun; highly recommend it as a bucket list item.

        Reply
    13. Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com

      November 9, 2017 at 2:10 pm

      This is very helpful! I like taking mine off as soon as I get out of the water!!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:58 pm

        Yay another fan of that method, woohoo!

        Reply
    14. jill conyers

      November 10, 2017 at 3:14 am

      This is a great resource for anyone that wants to do a tri.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        November 13, 2017 at 7:58 pm

        Thanks Jill! 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Snacking in Sneakers! That's me, Chrissy, and I'm here to share all my favorite fitness, food, & wellness stories & tips. I'm a dietitian, personal trainer, runner, triathlon coach, foodie, not-so-extreme couponer, and all around fun lovin' gal.

    More about me →

    Latest

    • Overhead shot of a mason jar with oreo overnight oats.
      Oreo Overnight Oats
    • A lentil quinoa bowl with lots of veggies and peanut sauce on top.
      How to Build a Fitness-Fueling Power Bowl
    • A high protein sweetpotato iced latte in a mason jar with a blue straw.
      High Protein Iced Sweetpotato Latte
    • A woman's hand holding a chocolate peanut butter protein popsicle.
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Ice Pops

    Let’s Connect!

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Snacking in Sneakers

    227 shares
    • 7

    Want to start running - and stick with it?

    Sign up for our email list to get a free Beginner Running Guide with helpful tips and 4 beginner-friendly training plans!

    Screenshots of several pages in a beginner running guide.

    Invalid email address
    Thanks for subscribing! Check your email in the next few minutes for your free guide.