Tips & Tricks - Putting on a race suit safely.

We are often seeing suits come into store with what could have been easily avoided rips and tears due to rushing to get it on or getting sidetracked. 

The following are step by step instructions for putting on race suits. We want you to get the most out of your race suit as they are a costly investment. 

How to Put On a Race Suit

1. Take your time.
The first time you put on a race suit it can take up to an hour. It will get easier each time as you figure out how to slide into it. 

2. Fold up the leg hems.
This keeps the silicone grips off your skin so the material can slide up more easily.

3. Bunch the suit.
Carefully accordion-fold the suit into a bundle. This protects the fabric and gives you more to grip as you step in. Keep the seams straight and folds even, if the suit twists or folds over on itself, you’ll need to start again.

4. Pull the suit up your legs.
Think of it like putting on tights. Get it as high as possible in one movement, this makes the later steps much easier.

5. Adjust the leg hems.
Hook a finger under the hem and wiggle it up towards mid-thigh. The higher you get it now, the easier it will be to pull the suit over your hips and butt. (You’ll pull the legs back down after the top is in place.)

6. Get the suit over your butt.
This is the hardest part — once you manage it, you’re almost there.

Stop pulling as a unit and switch to pinch-and-pull movements. Pinch looser material lower down, pull it up, then repeat higher up until you reach your hips.

Once you have extra material gathered under your butt, tuck yourself in. Grip the strong center seam (never beside it), press your butt cheeks inward with one hand, and use the other to pull the fabric up and over.

If your suit has straps, pull them up over your butt and hips so they sit at your waist while you work.

7. Pull the suit to your waist.
Continue pinch-and-pull in a spiral pattern: front, right side, left side, back. If it gets stuck at your hips, cross your feet and squeeze your legs to compress slightly and slide it over.

8. Adjust the crotch.
Hike it up as high as possible to allow full leg movement. Avoid deep seated squats before it's in place or the race suit can tear through the crotch. Small squat-like movements to achieve comfort is recommended. 

9. Secure the suit.

If your suit has a drawstring: Tie it now, then uncuff and pull the leg hems down into place. 

If your suit has straps: Don’t pull the legs down yet — secure the straps first.

10. Pull the suit up your torso.
Grip and wiggle it up as one unit, like at the start. Get your chest fully inside and the back strap up as high as possible before working with the shoulder straps.

11. Put on the straps.
Do one at a time. Pull the strap outward with your opposite hand, slide your arm through hand-first, dip your shoulder, then guide the strap into place. Repeat for the other side.

12. Final adjustments.
Situate the chest and straps so they feel comfortable. Then uncuff the leg hems and pull them down into their proper position.