\u00a3295<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>This is a good-looking suit for the money (not that that\u2019s the main thing, but it\u2019s a bonus). It feels good quality in the water with the 1.5mm neoprene across the chest and arms allowing plenty of flexibility, even for those with a wide \u2018swinger\u2019 style of swimming. The rest of the buoyancy profile errs towards stabilisation, which many new swimmers may welcome.<\/p>
The 5mm in the front of the legs coupled with 4mm in the backs and a mix of 3mm\/2.5mm in the body gave us a high position in the water, but it did feel a little too much, as well as restrictive.<\/p>
If, like this tester, your lower back is prone to aching, then be careful of suits that lift your legs too high. This is something many female swimmers may find isn\u2019t needed, due to lower-body fat distribution (talking to all the pear shapes out there!).<\/p>
Verdict:<\/strong> A good budget wetsuit at a good <\/b>price, but watch out for the levels <\/b>of lower-body buoyancy.<\/b><\/p> Score: 80%<\/b><\/p>
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Orca TRN<\/strong>
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top cheapest triathlon wetsuits<\/figcaption><\/figure>\u00a3199<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>Any brand that opts for bright pink on a women\u2019s design will have some of us wrinkling our noses (men get red). Yet we have to give Orca kudos for providing the only bright-armed suit on test \u2013 which works as a safety feature so you\u2019re visible in open water, as well as helping family spot you on race day. If you like pink, it\u2019s pretty funky, too. <\/p>
This suit felt great on and equal to Speedo\u2019s in flexibility. Orca have clearly used their tri know-how in this budget offering as it\u2019s easy to pull on (a big worry for many new open-water swimmers), while the 4m bottom\/2mm top neoprene combo works to combine buoyancy and flexibility in a way that felt comfy and supportive. <\/p>
There was a tiny water trickle in the neck, but that may be solved by sizing down from a medium to a S\/M \u2013 and it didn\u2019t really bother us in the 19\u00b0C waters of our test lake.<\/p>
Verdict: <\/strong>A flexible, striking and <\/b>comfortable option that comes with <\/b>an amazing price tag for the tech. One of the best cheap wetsuits out there.<\/b><\/p> Score: 90%<\/b><\/p>
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Blueseventy Sprint<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3230<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>This Blueseventy staple\u2019s \u00a3200-ish price tag puts it at the top of our suits here by a whole pound, and savvy swimmers may find the considerably cheaper Orca or Speedo more of a draw. <\/p>
The Sprint was among the snugger size medium suits on test and, after an hour in the water, we found it pulled our lower back a little, so watch sizing.<\/p>
Those stretchy blue jersey panels under the arms feel a touch basic compared to the full neoprene construction of others on test but, coupled with thin 1.5mm neoprene on the outer arms, allow a wide range of movement.<\/p>
You also get stretchy calf panels for quick removal and the 3-4-4mm buoyancy pattern gave us a good body position. <\/p>
The bottom-up zipper and rolled neck, although bulky and high at the back, prevented water ingress, as did the cuffed sleeves.<\/p>
Verdict:<\/strong> Some nice features, but <\/b>the sprint now feels dated and is <\/b>the most expensive here.<\/b><\/p> Score: 72%<\/b><\/p>
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Top men’s cheap triathlon wetsuits<\/strong><\/h2>Blueseventy Bolt<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3149<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>After a few years of treading water, the once-dominant Blueseventy is back with a wealth of fresh suits (and a new logo) for 2022.<\/p>
On paper, this Wiggle exclusive with trickle-down tech from Blueseventy\u2019s \u00a3349 Fusion suit has plenty going for it, with SCS (Super Composite Skin) coating, Yamamoto materials and 1.5mm arms welcoming surprises on a sub-\u00a3150 suit (it\u2019s also currently reduced to \u00a382).<\/p>
And in the murky waters of a Somerset marine lake? Similarly impressive for the sub-\u00a3150 (or sub-\u00a3100) price tag, those supple arms promoting a range of movement in the upper body and a well-considered but far from excessive level of buoyancy.<\/p>
That said, leg sinkers might want more lift than the 3mm-thick legs give here. There\u2019s a lack of water ingress or chafing around the neck, while post-swim removal is swift. It comes in quite small, so size-up if you\u2019re between sizes.<\/p>
Verdict: A bargain for \u00a3149, a steal for \u00a382, but be aware of sizing and buoyancy levels.<\/strong><\/p>Score: 85%<\/strong><\/p>
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Alpkit Silvertip<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3249.99<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>Designed for cold open-water swims, Alpkit\u2019s Silvertip is the outlier in this test against the tri-specific rivals. <\/p>
The \u00a3249.99 price is among the cheapest thermal wetsuits around and you\u2019ll find this type of liner on Huub\u2019s Aegis Thermal.<\/p>
It\u2019s not the softest on the skin compared to Blueseventy\u2019s glorious wool thermal liners, for example, but it seems to deliver the heat-retaining goods (albeit in Devonshire waters in May, not Scottish lochs in March).<\/p>
The arm cuffs are fine if you\u2019re wearing gloves, but there\u2019s just too much water ingress for non-gloved swims. The tight elasticated neck chafes and isn\u2019t one for long-swim comfort, but it does quell the water seeping in.<\/p>
Upper-body flexibility from the 3mm neoprene is acceptable and buoyancy levels are fairly high. But as an entry-level thermal suit for off-season swimming \u2013 with an internal pocket and visibility touches \u2013 it has appeal.<\/p>
Verdict: An affordable intro to thermal wetsuits, but not for triathlon racing<\/strong><\/p>Score: 76%<\/strong><\/p>
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Dhb Aeron 3.0<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3350<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>At the time of writing, this dhb suit is already down in price to \u00a3225, and for that it\u2019s an absolute bargain that should have Martin Lewis beaming with joy.<\/p>
Worn back-to-back with the rivals here, it\u2019s easily the supplest suit, the 38- and 39-cell levels of Yamamoto neoprene and a mix of 2, 3 and 4mm panels making this the most graceful in the water. <\/p>
Further spec highlights come in the form of the SCS coating that beads water and arm cuffs that make for a speedy T1.<\/p>
Thankfully, dhb is continuing to ditch the reverse zipper in the latest version of its top-of-the-range suit, an issue we had with the 2019 edition, while the broad array of sizes (three alone in medium) is a further boon.<\/p>
Worth noting for leg sinkers and open-water newcomers is that there\u2019s more buoyancy in the 2XU, Alpkit and Zone3 suits on test, but this is hardly lacking in lower body lift. And it looks great, too.<\/p>
Verdict: A supple, stylish and speedy suit that’s also a bargain buy with some great features for the money.<\/strong><\/p>Score: 91%<\/strong><\/p>
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2XU P:1 Propel<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3250 <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>The P:1 Propel has been a regular high scorer in our recent entry-level wetsuit tests, with this latest version largely going for the \u2018If it ain\u2019t broke\u2019 formula.<\/p>
Which is largely no bad thing, as the 2XU utilises a combination of classy 39-cell Yamamoto neoprene, an SCS coating and 1.5mm thick panels in the upper body.<\/p>
And all for an entry to mid-level price point. It\u2019s a noticeably thicker and heavier suit than the dhb Aeron Lab, for example, a mix of 3 and 5mm panels on the upper chest, legs and back giving a hefty dose of buoyancy in the water (more natural swimmers may well say too much).<\/p>
There was a slither of water ingress around the neck, and some swimmers may prefer the visuals of the previous P:1 editions.<\/p>
That said, we can certainly vouch for the 2XU P:1 Propel\u2019s long-term durability. And this wetsuit\u2019s two-year warranty is definitely another plus point.<\/p>
Verdict: Very hard to fault but not as supple as some with the entry-level price point becoming more competitive.<\/strong><\/p>Score: 85%<\/strong><\/p>
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Zone3 Agile<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3199 <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>Zone3\u2019s \u00a3250 Advance has long been one of our beginner-friendly picks, but can the new Agile wetsuit undercut its celebrated older and more expensive sibling?<\/p>
It certainly stands out due to the silver cuffs and back panels, which look a little too 1960s science-fiction for me. And it\u2019s also a solid performer in the water.<\/p>
The 2mm upper body panels are agile enough, while the 3 and 4mm sections deliver a considered, but not excessive, level of lift.<\/p>
Yamamoto materials are seemingly absent, but an eco-friendly neoprene is present. And this is coated with a Speedflo technology that beads water to aid hydrodynamics.<\/p>
With minimal water ingress and secure seams, the Zone3 Agile never failed to keep our tester warm in the English Channel in May. Like the 2XU P:1 Propel, it feels like a durable and tough wetsuit that will last through multiple seasons of use.<\/p>
Verdict: A solid contender that’ll please both beginners and bank balances.<\/b><\/p>
Score: 83%<\/strong><\/p>
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Yonda Spook<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3269<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>Yonda has fine form on these pages with the Ghost and Spectre triathlon wetsuits. The similarly paranormal-themed Spook is from the British brand\u2019s open-water collection, but there\u2019s little to give you the frights here.<\/p>
Construction is high quality and the nylon\/neoprene combo offers an unrestricted front-crawl stroke due to the smartly placed panels. The only mild chills we did experience came from some water ingress, and from the nylon being looser and more absorbent than neoprene. This means it takes longer to dry and can get heavier.<\/p>
The classy neck, meanwhile, led to a chafe-free swim. We\u2019re not convinced by the elasticated arm cuffs, which did lead to some water ingress, but the overall comfort and durability heightens the versatility \u2013 we\u2019d happily use this on our paddleboard ventures alongside open-water swimming and for triathlon race days.<\/p>
Verdict: Great as an open-water contender, but is tri-friendly too. <\/b><\/p>
Score: 85%<\/strong><\/p>
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Speedo Proton <\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3140<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>The Proton has been around a while now, but that\u2019s no bad thing as it\u2019s a winning budget suit. After our first swim, we had to double check the RRP as we believed it\u2019d be more expensive, but what we actually have is Yamamoto 38-cell neoprene, and a lean, lithe and continuous 1.5mm shoulder panel for an astonishing \u00a3140.<\/p>
Where budget wetsuits are often purely functional \u2013 a bludgeon of buoyancy, a flirtation with flexibility \u2013 the Proton finds the balance between keeping you afloat and maintaining a feel for the water thanks to the 1.5mm thickness of the shoulders and supple neoprene. And it\u2019s also damn enjoyable to swim in.<\/p>
Negative points are minimal, although those with sinking legs may want more buoyancy than the max 4mm leg thickness offered here. The neoprene is also quite delicate and we\u2019d size up if you\u2019re between sizes.<\/p>
Verdict: It may not be new, but it’s still a fine budget suit offering remarkable value.<\/strong><\/p>Score: 90% <\/strong><\/p>
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Sailfish Atlantic<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a3195<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>The first rule of Sailfish is to size down, with the brand\u2019s suits regularly coming up bigger than we\u2019d expect. The second rule of Sailfish is that the suits it makes are always top quality. That continues with the sleek Atlantic, which joins the ever-expanding pool of open-water-specific suits rather than pure tri wetsuits.<\/p>
This means thinner neoprene and thus less buoyancy, with the thicknesses ranging from 0.5-2mm. The result is you have to kick your legs far more than a tri wetsuit \u2013 good for technique progression, less so for conserving race-day legs for the bike and run.<\/p>
The benefit is a natural swimming experience, with the nylon\/neoprene construction hugely flexible and providing excellent upper-body movement (it was the swiftest in our timed tests too). Despite that Atlantic title, it\u2019s a suit we\u2019d rather use in the Med, as we noticeably suffered in the cold. s<\/p>
Verdict: A supple and slick training suit, but not one for race day or the cold.<\/strong><\/p>Score: 80%<\/strong><\/p>
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Lomo Cyclone<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a350<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>Fifty quid is the cheapest wetsuit we\u2019ve ever tested, but does a rock-bottom price ensure good value? Not in this instance, especially when you compare it to the Aptonia or Lomo\u2019s own Prime wetsuit at \u00a3105.<\/p>
The nylon construction of the arms just felt rigid and swimming was an ongoing wrestle to get the disobedient arms doing what we wanted \u2013 forget any talk of this suit acting like a second skin. The tight elasticated cuffs proved troublesome to get off or pull up, meaning we couldn\u2019t access our sports watch pre or post-swim, and the chunky zipper head gave us serious neck-rubbing issues.<\/p>
The 3mm all-over thickness felt too little in the legs and overkill in the upper body. In terms of positives, the suit\u2019s flatlock stitching is welcome, it feels durable and looks decent enough, while the water ingress through the zip was limited.<\/p>
Verdict: An incredibly cheap suit, but the price shows in the erratic performance. <\/strong><\/p>Score: 60% <\/strong><\/p>
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Aptonia Triathlon SD<\/strong><\/h3>
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\u00a399.99 <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>Regular readers will know that we\u2019re personally not fans of reverse zippers, especially on entry-level wetsuits. We just can\u2019t see why Decathlon has gone down this route with the sub-\u00a3100 Aptonia Triathlon SD when an entry-level suit should be all about making things easy for newcomers (judging by the customer reviews, we\u2019re not the only grumpy one).<\/p>
Rant over, and once we\u2019d been zipped in (thanks, mum!), the suit\u2019s actually pretty good, the neoprene\/ polyester combo and 2mm arms proving lithe enough in the water, and both front crawl and breaststroke-friendly.<\/p>
The buoyancy from the 4mm panels felt understated but efficient, but water ingress was noticeable around the neck and zipper. It\u2019s a fine-looking suit as well and \u2013 yes, we\u2019ll admit it \u2013 that reverse zipper coupled with the shorter cut of the legs did make it swift to remove.<\/p>
Verdict: So close to being a corker, sort that zip and come back stronger!<\/strong><\/p>
![\"lomo](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/06\/lomo-prime-wetsuit-0e6ac3c.jpg\")
<\/figure>![\"Van](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/06\/Van-Rysel-SD-Neoprene-c2e9e6e.jpg\")
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<\/figure>![\"Speedo](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2020\/11\/Speedo-Proton-tri-wetsuit-c5a6426.jpg\")
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![\"Blueseventy](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2020\/11\/Blueseventy-sprint-triathlon-wetsuit-78b6ad0.jpg\")
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<\/figure>![\"alpkit](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/06\/alpkit-silvertip-wetsuit-d507a8e-2.jpg\")
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<\/figure>![\"zone3](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/06\/zone3-agile-ddbe280-2.jpg\")
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