A well-fitted wetsuit adds buoyancy and is designed to slip through water more effectively than a tri suit or swimsuit. They’re designed to make you faster at open water swimming, and who here doesn’t want to swim faster??
As a result, triathlon wetsuits are viewed as swim aids, and triathlon federations have several rules in place governing when they can be used, linked primarily to water temperatures.
Could they all have picked the same temperature guidelines? Yes, they totally could have.
Did they all pick the same temperature guidelines? They did not.
Overview: Ironman® Wetsuit Rules
For age-group participants and relay team, the following rules apply for water temperature:
- Wetsuit required – water temps below 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius)
- Wetsuit legal – water temps up to and including 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (24.5 degrees Celsius)
- Wetsuit optional* – above 76.1° F, but below or equal to 83.8°F (24.5° C to 28.8°C)
- Wetsuit prohibited – water temps above 83.8 degrees Fahrenheit (28.8 degrees Celsius)
*Some Ironman® events allow participants to wear a wetsuit in this temperature range, but you will have to start in a ‘non-competitive wetsuit wave‘, and won’t be eligible for podiums, awards, or Ironman® World Championship slots.
Please note that there are different regulations relating to professional athletes – they can’t wear wetsuits in a water temperature over 71.5° F (21.9° C).
What other rules should I know for Ironman® events?
We cover the rules beginners need to know in more detail here, but for wetsuits specifically:
- Wetuits cannot be thicker than 5mm, and standard race kit like a tri suit or shorts is fine underneath, buoyancy shorts or neoprene swim skins cannot be worn.
- Wetsuits cannot cover your face, feet or hands. If the water temperature is on the colder side, check the race pack for rules around neoprene socks or caps as these are usually allowed.
USA Triathlon Wetsuit Guidelines
USA Triathlon and other federations seek to standardize rules governing when athletes can wear wetsuits.
This means that for any event sanctioned by USAT, guidelines around water temperatures should be consistent. Having said that, it always pays to double check what race directors publish governing the wetsuit maximum temperature before race day.
USA Triathlon follows a similar structure to Ironman® in how they design wetsuit policy:
- Wetsuit legal – water temperature up to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 degrees Celsius*)
- Wetsuit optional* – water temperature above 78° F but below 84° F (above 25.51° C but below 28.9° C)
- Wetsuit prohibited – water temperature above 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28.8 degrees Celsius)
*as with Ironman®, if an age group participant chooses to wear a wetsuit in these water temperatures, they will not be eligible for prizes or awards.
USA Triathlon rules for elite athletes are slightly different and linked swim distances. But basically, if you’re an elite athlete, you’d better enjoy cold water…
USAT rules related to wetsuits can be found here. For new rules or rule changes, it’s always good to stay up to date with the full set of USAT rules.
British Triathlon Wetsuit Rules
Interestingly, British Triathlon draws a distinction for age group athletes based on age.
Athletes aged 60 and up can wear a wetsuit in water temperatures greater than 24.6°C (76.3°F) for Olympic distance and shorter races, while participants younger than 60 have to leave their wetsuits behind in water over 22°C (71.6°F).
Wetsuit Rules for Other Major Federations
World Triathlon Corporation Rules for age groupers require wetsuits at 15.9°C (60.6°F) and below. Wetsuits are forbidden at 24.6°C (76.3°F) and above. This applies to swims longer than 1500m.
Australia, believe it or not, follows the exact same rules as World Triathlon! It’s a miracle.