Product: 2XU Active Tri Short
Manufacturer: 2XU
Where to Buy: 2XU or your friendly local triathlon store
Price: $35-70
Utilization: clothing
Rating: gold medal
When I started doing triathlons a few years ago, I wore a bathing suit for the swim and added some cheap shorts for the bike and run. Truthfully, after the disaster that was my first triathlon, I said I'd never do another! A year later, I was signed up for an Olympic to get my redemption. At that point, I accepted that some legitimate tri clothing would be smart. I bought a tri top and left it at that, swearing I'd never wear those goofy padded shorts. I don't wear cycling shorts, why would I wear tri shorts?! Ha! We know how this goes...
I made a trip to Tru Tri Sports on the recommendation of a fellow Athena. I've been burned enough buying things online that are "XL" or "2XL" but were surely cut for a child. I asked the salesperson for assistance finding any XL or 2XL tri shorts and he rather dismissively pointed me to a meager selection of 2XU products. "This is probably the only thing we have in that size." Thanks. I picked up a couple of items in each size.
Now this is key - always try on multiple products and sizes. The first item I tried was a 2XL and fit like an undersized girdle. That was disheartening. Then, I tried on the Active Tri Short in XL and they fit beautifully. I strutted around the dressing room for a bit, admiring my padded heiny, before declaring them a success.
Overall fit is great. They are compressive but not oppressive. The leg openings make a slight muffin top, but definitely nothing bad or ugly. The padding is small enough to be comfortable but large enough to be beneficial. I've raced in them several times with great comfort. The legs don't creep at all, even over my thunder thighs. I wash them on delicate or regular and hang to dry, and they haven't changed a bit in size, shape, or compression.
Gold medal awarded for: comfort, fit, compression
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