IRONMAN TRI-SUITS
A tri-suit built specifically for long-distance is a must if you want to race in comfort. We put nine to the test
For all the talk of aerodynamics, of saving a precious watt or two on the bike, or cutting through the water with exclusive new technology, comfort is king when it comes to long-distance race suits.
Anything that you will have to potentially wear for up to 17 hours (and perhaps even beyond) simply has to feel good. There’ll be plenty enough sore bits the morning after a race without the added trauma of a rubbed seam or the unmistakable pain of a chamois pad that didn’t do its job.
As with any review, it’s always worth remembering that every person is different. So what may be the perfect combination of all-round comfort for one triathlete may be another’s worst nightmare. That’s why it’s a good idea to try something on in a shop or via a website that offers a returns policy – that way you’ll know whether medium is medium or some kind of cruel joke!
Once you really step up in ability it’s worth considering whether those extra few pounds spent are actually worth it to find those marginal gains that’ll give you a few extra free seconds or minutes. That’s why on this test we considered features but always weighed them up against comfort and value for money.
Not racing long-distance? Don’t worry, we’ll be bringing you a brilliant mix of standard short-sleeved tri-suits next issue. For now, it’s on with the testing…
JARGON BUSTER
Chamois Also known as the ‘chammy’, it needs to be quick-drying post swim, while providing enough padding for long-distance cycling without being too bulky for the run.
Sleeves Sleeved suits offer more sun protection than vested options and should also improve aerodynamics, especially if they’re ribbed, which has been shown to reduce drag.
Leg grippers These keep the tri-suit in place around the thigh. In our experience, wider ones do the job best as they reduce the dreaded sausage-leg sitch.
Zipper Admittedly more beneficial for men than women, a full-length zipper makes midrace toilet stops easier and allows for added ventilation. A good zip garage (where the zip slides into at the top) needs to be comfortable and unobtrusive so you don’t suffer on race day.
Pockets Having enough storage for your longdistance fuelling is key, so you’ll want pockets that offer enough room for your needs and are easy to access. Ideally, they’ll remain secure when packed and won’t hang down or bounce when in motion.
Seams Ensure you pick a suit with bonded or glued seams as even the slightest bump will cause uncomfortable chafing and will be less aero on the fly.
SANTINI VIPER
£179 Santini has made a suit that’s as flexible in its options as you could wish for. This long-distance version, worn by Ironman 70.3 world champion Gustav Iden, is the tip of the iceberg and even includes the option to customise upon request. The basic suit has much going for it, not least the fact it looks great. The chamois is good, breathability is excellent and Santini promises superb sun protection. Notably, there’s a unique grip around the crotch on the outside of the suit. It feels fine and looks superhero-esque, but it didn’t actually add much in terms of the promised extra saddle grip. The longer sleeve fit was welcome and the longer length of the legs, whether intentional or not, was also nice. The major downside was the zip, which wasn’t all that comfortable and caused rubbing, particularly on the bike. santinicustom.it
79%
VERDICT: LOOKS GREAT, CHAMOIS DOES ITS JOB WELL AND SLEEVES WERE A PLUS, BUT ISSUES WITH THE ZIP LETS IT DOWN
2XU AERO SLEEVED
£130 2XU has an uncanny knack of producing quality kit at low prices and the brand has done it again here. At £130 this was the cheapest suit on test and, while it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, it deserves consideration due to its value for money. The seam-free sleeves and excellent fit ensure good aerodynamics and comfort in all three sports. They also promise advanced muscle support (unsubstantiated on this test). The chamois is decent but not exceptional and the rear storage pockets are more generous than on many suits. Having the top half only partially attached to the bottom means easy access for toilet stops, which is always welcome in a long-distance race. The downside is that the fabric doesn’t feel as premium. It’s not a deal-breaker, but maybe this is the compromise for the highly competitive price point. 2xu.com
82%
VERDICT: A BRILLIANT SUIT FOR THOSE ON A BUDGET, BUT LACKS THE PREMIUM FEEL THAT OTHERS HAVE ON TEST
TRI-FIT GEO
£209 There’s a lot to like about the Geo and it’s clear loads of thought has gone into its design. Neat innovations like side-access rear pockets reduce drag but not storage, while the laser-cut hems give a supremely comfortable fit. The star of the show, though, is the chamois, which is about as comfortable as you can get. The Tri-Fit team are considering upping the thickness beyond this model, widely used by their pros, but there’s no need. It’s magnificent. Swim performance was solid and on the run the longer sleeves provided added sun protection. The fit wasn’t perfect around the arms and the colour scheme’s a little uninspiring, but that’s subjective. The suit is is highly competitive in the mid-range price bracket, while the female version (not tested in this grouptest) equally impressed. tri-fitathletic.co.uk
88%
VERDICT: GREAT VALUE AND BUILT FOR SADDLE COMFORT; VERY IMPRESSIVE ALL-ROUNDER
HUUB ANEMOI II SUB22
£299 Huub has pulled out all the stops with the Anemoi II suit. We tested the Sub22, which is for athletes expecting to ride at 22mph or below (the majority of the field at a long-distance race). There’s also a Plus22 version with a few tweaks for those who race faster. Huub says the suit solves ‘Drag Crisis -also known as the Eiffel paradox, a phenomenon in which drag coefficient drops off suddenly as the Reynolds number increases’. We have no idea either. But it’s fast. Very fast. Once you get it over your thighs, the fabric hugs, but isn’t intrusive. The chamois stood up to extended saddle time, while the run was comfortable. Bonded seams promise a saving of four watts and two rear pockets are acceptable. Being Huub, the suit really comes into its own in the water thanks to the Arm Neutral technology, which is simply fantastic. huubdesign.com
90%
VERDICT: A TREMENDOUS SUIT THAT OFFERS COMPRESSION AND COMFORT IN EQUAL MEASURE
MEN’S VERDICT
Going back to the mantra of comfort is king, it’s very hard to look past two of the suits on test. If you like the feeling of compression in a race suit and are happy to be held in tightly then the Huub Anemoi is superb, offering two versions depending on how fast you expect to ride on race day.
If you prefer the feeling of a little more freedom, then you can’t go wrong with the Tri-Fit Geo. The suit is excellent – the chamois pad is one of the best we’ve ever tested – and the price ain’t too bad, either.
The other suits on test had their merits, whether it be value for money, look and length or quirky and well-considered little features, but they also had drawbacks when everything was factored in.
Having said that, no matter the features and cost, it’s always worth ensuring that you’ll be comfortable. It’s an easy thing to get wrong, but if you get it right then you’ll reap the performance rewards.
ZONE3 LAVA
£219 The Lava range has been around since 2013 and it’s easy to see why it’s been a hit. It not only looks stylish but packs in plenty of performance-enhancing features. Dragreducing Aero-Stripe arms offer enhanced aerodynamics, while the balanced compression in the legs provides muscle support to help improve endurance and stamina. The Aeroforce Soft-Touch fabric gives a touch of luxury, with that barelythere feeling offering flexibility and breathability, all while providing 50+ UPF protection. Comfort is also taken care of with the women’s specific pad providing targeted pressure point relief on the bike while remaining unobtrusive during the swim and run. A close fit and 360° stretch means no compromise in movement and plenty of freedom around the hips and waist. We could wear this all day. zone3.com
89%
VERDICT: TICKS ALL THE BOXES, OFFERING PERFORMANCE, COMFORT AND STYLE IN ABUNDANCE
TRIMTEX AERO 3.0
€359 Kristian Blummenfelt wore the men’s version of the Aero 3.0 when he went 3:25:21 at 70.3 Bahrain in 2019, so we know they’re built for speed. The women’s Aero 3.0 is bursting with aero enhancements tailored to each part of the body, such as the fabric which includes dimpled mesh around the arms and shoulders and ribbed panels on the legs. There’s clearly no compromise on quality, with the quick-drying, breathable material offering flexibility and a specially adapted chamois providing multidiscipline comfort. Wide leg grippers prevent unwanted movement and the split front design allows extra movement during the run and swim. Two rear pockets are also deep enough to hold fuel for all-day racing. Trimtex advises it’s an extreme fit and to size up, but if anything our sample felt roomy, so ideally try before you buy. trimtex.eu
92%
VERDICT: IT’S A HEFTY PRICE TAG BUT THE SUIT OOZES QUALITY AND MAY HELP SHAVE OFF THOSE PRECIOUS SECONDS
VAN RYSEL LD TRISUIT
£59.99 Decathlon’s visually-appealing design is perfect for those operating on a budget. The lightweight, breathable fabric offers plenty of flexibility with a soft neckline to ensure all-day comfort, though the light colour around the chest area means wearing a bra is a must! Although lacking the aero features of some pricier models, the femalespecific design adapts and stretches around the natural curves of the female body, giving freedom of movement in all disciplines. Storage options were great, with a deep pocket on each leg and a further two on the back, allowing plenty of capacity for even the longest events. The slimline chamois was perfect for the swim and run but felt a bit too narrow for our wide-nosed saddle. However, our main criticism was the stiffness of the leg and arm grippers, which both started to irritate by the end of testing. decathlon.co.uk
78%
VERDICT: AT THIS PRICE POINT IT’S A GREAT ENTRY-LEVEL OPTION WITH UNBEATABLE STORAGE CAPACITY
DHB AERON LAB
£190 Hailed as a second skin, the Aeron Lab feels ultralight and ultra-sleek. The closefit design, combined with aero-disruptive fabric on the arms, shoulders and legs, aims to provide maximum speed for minimal effort on the bike. The suit offers complete flexibility with the neckline and grippers seamlessly blending into the body to enhance freedom of movement. However, at 5ft8in, we wouldn’t have wanted to be any taller, so sizing up may be required for longer bodies. Three big rear pockets offered generous storage and the chamois pad kept us comfortable all day on test. On initial wear, the internal seams were irritating to the skin, but these softened in time and didn’t provide any further issues. It’s worth noting the legs are shorter than others on test, which may or may not be to your taste. wiggle.co.uk
85%
VERDICT: COMPRESSION SUPPORT IS LACKING, BUT THIS IS A LIGHT, FLEXIBLE AND STYLISH SUIT
2XU LIGHT SPEED TRISUIT
£150 Bucking the long-sleeve trend, 2XU’s sleeveless tri-suit targets heat control and muscle stabilisation. The UV protective fabric claims to reduce heat absorption from the sun, improve airflow by almost 200% and provide enhanced aerodynamics. In testing it felt lightweight and breathable, aided by the open-cut under arms and neckline, giving the feeling of freedom even during the hottest session. Targeted compression claims to dissipate load transfer on the knee while running which, in practice, made our quads feel well-supported. The chamois felt stiff at first but proved comfy through all our cycling and gave us no issues on the run. The two rear pockets were disappointingly small, though, and we found the split front design cut in on our stomach and pulled up when standing, so taller athletes may want to size up to accommodate this. 2xu.com
83%
VERDICT: POOR STORAGE, BUT PROVIDES DECENT FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY TO GET ON WITH YOUR RACE
WOMEN’S VERDICT
With such a broad spectrum of prices, comparing like for like is slightly unfair. Decathlon’s suit may not have all the features of high-end suits, but it does what it needs to do well. The ultra-lightweight feel of both the 2XU and dhb suits make them great options for warmer weather, although the limited storage in the 2XU suit may make it more appealing for middle-distance racing.
If money’s no object, the updated Trimtex suit is packed with technology. For faster athletes it could provide important marginal gains, but getting the right fit is key to take advantage of all the aero technology.
However, ticking all the boxes of a premium suit, yet slightly kinder on the bank balance, Zone3’s Lava feels fast yet supportive, is flexible and stylish, and is our top pick for long-distance racing.