Your gear crossed the finish line with you, but if you’re washing it wrong, it’s not making it to your next race…

Tri suits don’t protest. Most athletes are sweating bullets over training splits and nutrition timing, while the very kit holding their race together is slowly getting wrecked. That’s careless. Triathlon clothing is engineered for punishment, designed for endurance, and expected to go the distance. But even the toughest gear has limits if you’re treating it like a beach towel.

Don’t Throw High-Tech Gear Into Low-Effort Care

Triathlon apparel is not made from your standard supermarket cotton. The fabric blends are built to stretch, breathe, compress and wick moisture in all the right ways. And every time you toss your Action Navy Tri Shorts into a hot dryer or leave your Action Singlet soaked in a gym bag, you are pulling apart what makes that kit race-ready.

Here’s where most people get it wrong:

  • Hot water breaks down elastic fibres
  • Harsh detergents strip technical coatings
  • Fabric softeners ruin compression zones
  • Heat drying melts delicate stitching
  • Hanging in direct sun fades colour and weakens the fabric

That SUB4 Triathlon 2 Piece Set Men’s Action Navy you wore to smash your last PB has seamless leg openings, four spacious pockets, and a lockable zip. Throwing that into the wrong wash cycle wrecks the very features you trained in.

Why Your Wash Routine Could Be Wiping Out Your Performance

Washing your kit should protect its function. Leftover salt, body oils and sunscreen seep deep into high-performance fibres and start to corrode them. The damage shows up silently at first. Elastic bands stop gripping. Mesh stops breathing. Seams start to rub raw.

Later, the rear mesh pocket on your Action Navy Singlet starts sagging mid-race. The long-distance chamois in your shorts turns abrasive. You’re not competing anymore. You’re coping.

A properly cared for tri suit holds its shape, keeps its stretch and stays breathable. If your gear feels off, chances are it’s been treated poorly.

The Small Mistakes That Wreck Your Kit Faster Than Training Ever Could

Here’s what most athletes never get told:

  • Rinse your kit immediately after a race or training
  • Never wring your kit
  • Wash in cold water only, inside out
  • Use a liquid detergent made for sportswear
  • Skip the spin cycle and let it dry in the shade
  • Never iron
  • Don’t mix tri gear with heavy garments like jeans or hoodies

These steps extend the life of your gear. If you’re racing in SUB4’s Tri-Skyn material that supports compression and sweat wicking with precision, these details matter.

The Secret Life of Chamois and Why It Needs Its Own Rules

The chamois pad in your Action Navy Shorts is designed to stay soft, fast drying and bacteria resistant. Treat it wrong and you get irritation, odour and collapse in support.

What it needs:

  • Cold water
  • No bleach
  • No softeners
  • No dryer
  • Flat air drying

If you’re relying on comfort through long rides, that chamois needs proper care. Miss that and it shows up where it hurts most.

What Breathability Really Means and Why It Fails So Quickly?

Most high-performance tri gear, including the Action Navy Singlet, has mesh panels to release sweat and allow airflow. Mesh loses its function when clogged with oils, sunscreen, or residue from improper washing. Sweat gets trapped.

To keep mesh panels working:

  • Never use the dryer
  • Wash inside out to protect mesh
  • Rinse after every wear
  • Don’t wear your kit casually post-race

That rear mesh pocket isn’t just aesthetic. Letting it fade or sag changes how you race.

Why Technical Apparel Needs Real Care to Last

Tri suits are engineered with purpose. Fabric panels offer compression where it’s needed, flexibility where it’s smart, and ventilation in heat zones. Picking up SUB4’s Action 2 Piece Set or the matching singlet and shorts means choosing gear with structure.

Give your gear what it needs:

  • Wash solo or with other sportswear only
  • Use garment bags in machines
  • Check for debris before washing
  • Store it flat in a cool, dry place
  • Don’t hang it by the shoulders

This is race insurance.

Final Word

If your race gear is built for performance, then so should be the way you treat it. Every thread in our Tri-Skyn material, every zip guard, every seamless stitch is designed to support you on the course. Letting bad habits break that down is not worth it. If you want your tri clothing to perform like it did on day one, treat it right. And if you want gear that’s made to hold up to that kind of treatment, we make it. We are SUB4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I use anti-chafing balms or creams with my tri gear?

A. Yes, you can. Go for non-petroleum-based formulas. Petroleum can break down the technical fabrics and coatings in your gear over time. Water-based or silicone-based balms are a safer bet and still do the job well.

Q. I travel a lot for races. How should I pack my tri clothing?

A. Lay your tri gear flat and roll it gently instead of folding. This prevents stress on the seams and helps avoid creases in compression panels. Always pack it in a breathable mesh bag, not a sealed plastic one.

Q. Can I use my tri suit for pool swim training?

A. You can. Chlorine exposure will wear down the fibres faster. If you’re hitting the pool regularly, rotate in a chlorine-resistant suit for training. Keep your tri suit for open water swims or race-day simulations.

Q. Is it okay to wear underwear under my tri shorts or suit?

A. Not recommended. Tri shorts are designed with built-in chamois padding and strategic seams to reduce friction. Adding underwear just creates extra layers that can cause chafing, bunching and moisture retention.

Q. How do I get rid of lingering smells from sweat or body oils?

A. Soak your gear for 15 to 30 minutes in cold water with a capful of white vinegar or sportswear pre-wash solution before the regular wash. Avoid bicarbonate of soda. It’s too alkaline and can damage technical fabrics.

Q. Is it safe to use disinfectants or sanitisers on my tri gear?

A. Most aren’t made for technical apparel. Disinfectant sprays, especially alcohol-based ones, can break down elastic fibres and coatings. If hygiene is a concern, a cold soak with a mild sports detergent does the job.

Q. Can I dry my tri gear with a fan or hairdryer if I’m in a rush?

A. A regular fan is fine. Skip the hairdryer, even on cool settings. Direct air blasts can warp fabric and seams unevenly. If you’re in a rush, pat the gear between two towels, press gently to absorb moisture and lay it flat in front of a fan.