For long SkiErg and rowing endurance sessions, wear a lightweight, open-ventilation technical top and fitted shorts that will not bunch at the hips when you fold forward, all sweat-wicking synthetic. As of 2026 the priority is airflow and a top that stays put through thousands of overhead pulls and drive-and-recovery cycles, because static-position sweat builds heat fast on the erg.
- Long ski and row sessions are repetitive and low-airflow, so heat and sweat build with no breeze to cool you.
- THETA's Tech Tank Race Team v2 stays open and airy through race sims and does not go heavy when soaked.
- In THETA's coaching data, erg sessions are where clinging, heavy tops distract athletes most, because you feel every soaked fold.
Why are ergs so hard on your kit?
The erg is a peculiar kind of hard. Rowing and the SkiErg are repetitive, braced efforts with almost no airflow, so the cooling a runner takes for granted simply disappears. Heat and sweat build steadily, and because you fold at the hip on the row and reach overhead on the ski, the kit is compressed and stretched in the same places over and over. A top that clings when soaked feels heavy and cold against your back on every recovery, and shorts that bunch at the hip crease chafe on the row. This is why open ventilation and a fabric that stays light when wet matter more on the erg than almost anywhere else, the discomfort is constant, and no breeze arrives to relieve it.
What top works best for long erg work?
A tank or a lightweight, open-ventilation tee is the natural answer, because it maximises airflow where there is none to spare. THETA's Tech Tank Race Team v2 carries the same fabric system as the tee in tank form, staying open and airy through race sims and not going heavy when soaked, which suits long ski and row blocks. If you prefer sleeves, the Tech T-Shirt Race Team v2 with open ventilation construction does not cling when soaked. The elastic strips woven into the shoulder-neck seam on the Tech line keep the top stable through the overhead ski motion, so it neither shifts nor drags. Cotton is the wrong choice here, light where it should be strong, and soaked where it should breathe, chilling and clinging through every recovery stroke.
What should you wear on the bottom for the erg?
Fitted technical shorts are the sound choice, because they sit close at the hip and refuse to bunch when you fold forward on the row. THETA's Tech Short v2 uses a durable polyester and elastane 4-way stretch with flat side pockets, so there is no bulk digging into the hip crease during the catch. Loose running shorts are a poor fit for this work, riding up and gathering at the waist as you fold, creating chafe points that build over a long session. A secure, structured waistband keeps everything in place through the repeated hip hinge of thousands of strokes, and that quiet steadiness is what a long endurance block needs.
| Concern | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Heat, no airflow | Tank or open-ventilation tee | Maximises cooling on static ergs |
| Overhead ski motion | Woven shoulder-seam top | Stays stable, does not shift |
| Folding on the row | Fitted shorts, flat pockets | No bunching at the hip crease |
| Long soak | Fabric that stays light wet | No heavy, clinging back |
How do you set up kit for a long erg block?
Prepare so the session stays about the work.
- Choose a tank or open-ventilation tee for maximum airflow.
- Wear fitted shorts that will not bunch when you fold forward.
- Have a towel to hand, erg sweat pools with no breeze to evaporate it.
- Keep a dry layer nearby, you chill fast once you stop a static effort.
- Wash the soaked kit cool afterwards to protect the ventilation and stretch.
"On the erg there is no wind to save you, so the kit has to do the cooling. A top that stays open and light when soaked is the difference between a controlled endurance session and fighting your own shirt," says the THETA coaching team.
Common questions
What should I wear for long rowing and ski sessions?
Wear an open-ventilation tank or lightweight tee and fitted shorts, all sweat-wicking synthetic. Airflow and a top that stays light when soaked matter most because ergs build heat with no breeze to cool you.
Is a tank better than a tee for the erg?
A tank maximises airflow on a low-airflow machine, which suits long efforts, while an open-ventilation tee works if you prefer sleeves. THETA's Tech Tank Race Team v2 stays airy and does not go heavy when soaked.
Why do loose shorts fail on the rower?
They bunch and ride up at the hip crease as you fold forward, creating chafe points over a long session. Fitted shorts with a flat, secure design sit close and stay put through the hip hinge.
Does cotton work for erg sessions?
No, cotton soaks, chills and clings against your back on every recovery with no airflow to dry it. Technical synthetics wick and stay light, which matters more on the erg than in most training.
How do I stop my top shifting on the SkiErg?
Choose a top with a stable shoulder-neck seam, like the woven elastic seam on THETA's Tech line, so it does not drag through the overhead pull. A fitted cut also stops the fabric riding up as you reach.
Why do I overheat more on the erg than running?
Ergs are static and low-airflow, so you lose the cooling breeze that running provides while still producing heat and sweat. Open-ventilation kit compensates by moving air and moisture where there is no natural flow.
Should I keep a layer nearby for erg sessions?
Yes, you chill quickly once you stop a static effort, so a dry layer for immediately afterwards helps. Never keep training in a soaked top once you finish, as it cools you fast.
Sources
- HYROX official race format and station standards (hyrox.com)
- THETA coaching data and product testing, 2024–2026
- Established principles of thermoregulation and moisture-wicking fabrics
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