A track singlet is a simple two-piece uniform: a sleeveless top and separate shorts or bottoms. It's the classic choice you see on most high school and college track teams, and for good reason; it works for almost every distance event.

Best for: 

• Distance and middle-distance runners (like the 800-meter all the way to 10,000-meter races).

• Field athletes who throw the shot put, discus, or javelin.

• Track meets held during hot, sunny summer days.

Why coaches and athletes like it:

• It breathes. A two-piece kit lets heat escape during a long, tough race, which matters a lot once an athlete is 20 minutes into a 10k.

• It moves freely. Sleeveless tops and looser shorts give arms and legs room to swing without any pull or drag.

• It's easy to fit. Split shorts and compression bottoms can be mixed and matched, so one style of top can work across many different body types on the same team.

The downsides:
 

• Loose fabric on track and field singlets custom can sometimes flap in strong winds. This tiny amount of wind drag might slow down a top-speed sprinter by a millisecond.

• Loose tops can occasionally snag on hurdles if an athlete gets too close.

A speed suit, sometimes called a skinsuit, is a one-piece uniform that fits tight against the body from shoulders to hips (and sometimes down the legs). It's built for one job: getting an athlete through a short race as fast as possible.

Best for: 

• Short, fast sprints (like the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter races).

• Hurdle events and fast relays.

• Field events like the high jump or pole vault, where loose clothing might bump the bar.

Why sprinters reach for it:

• Nothing flaps. A one-piece compression fit won't ride up, flap, or catch during an aggressive drive phase; no mid-race adjustments needed.

• Muscles feel steadier. A snug compression fit can support blood flow and cut down on muscle vibration, which some athletes say helps them feel more locked in.

• Every millisecond counts. Less loose fabric means less drag, and in a sprint final decided by hundredths of a second, that can matter.

The downsides: 

• Unlike a custom track singlet, a speed suit is a single, one-piece garment. It can be trickier to fit. A tall athlete with a long torso might find them too tight or restrictive in certain areas.

• They can feel warmer during long-distance races because heat doesn't escape as quickly as it does with a loose two-piece singlet.

For better clarity and to help you make a decision, we have placed all the differences between singlets and speed suits side by side. Here is what you are getting into. 

Most teams don't need to pick just one. To make the best decision for your school or running club, think about these three simple things:

1. The Running Distance

If your athletes run short, explosive races where every split-second counts, speed suits are a fantastic choice. But if they are running laps around the track for miles, a singlet will keep them cooler and much more comfortable.

2. The Local Weather

Are your track meets mostly held in hot, humid weather? Two-piece track singlets custom-designed with light fabrics are highly breathable. If you live in a windy, cooler climate, the snug protection of a speed suit is often preferred.

3. Personal Comfort and Confidence

Athletes run their absolute best when they feel confident in their gear. Some runners love the tight, compressed feeling of a speed suit because it makes them feel like a rocket. Others prefer the classic, breezy freedom of a track singlet.

Pro Tip: Many coaches order a mix! They get beautiful custom singlets for their distance team and sleek speed suits for their sprint squad so everyone gets exactly what they need.

Every team is really two teams in one uniform order. Your distance runners and your sprinters need different things, and that's okay. To make your athletes super comfortable and productive, analyze their needs and order custom track singlets or speed suits so they can make you proud on the field. 

At Gear Team Apparel, we make designing your next uniform incredibly simple. Whether you want classic, breezy customized singlets with our sweat-wicking fabrics, or ultra-fast sprint gear, we have you fully covered.

The best part? We have absolutely no minimum order limits, so you can buy gear for a single runner or an entire school district. Plus, we offer completely free personalization and custom design work for that extra panache.

Let's make this your team's best-looking season yet. Head over to our online design room and let your team's identity shine!

Can one team wear both singlets and speed suits? 

Yes. Many teams outfit sprinters in speed suits and everyone else in singlets, matching team colors and logos across both styles so the whole roster still looks unified.

Are speed suits actually faster, or is it mostly a mindset thing? 

Both. The reduced drag is real, but athletes also report feeling more confident and "locked in" wearing a snug fit, and that confidence matters on the starting line too.

Do custom track singlets work for middle school teams too? 

Absolutely. Singlets are actually the easier starting point for younger teams since the two-piece design fits a wider range of body types with less custom sizing work.

What fabric should a track and field singlet custom order use? 

Look for a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric with real airflow; this matters more for distance events than logo placement or color ever will.

Is a speed suit too advanced for youth athletes? 

Not necessarily, but many coaches introduce speed suits at the high school level once an athlete is fully committed to sprint events, and stick with singlets before that.