Last month I approached two of the fastest growing triathlon brands in the UK, Aqua Sphere (www.aquasphereuk.co.uk) and Fusion (www.fusionsportsuk.co.uk) with an idea and a challenge. I was looking to secure one of my product testing team with some of the highest performance equipment available (wetsuit and race kit), for an extra special product review.

The kit would be thoroughly tested in race conditions at the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa. I'd also said that the tester "was targeting winning his age group and qualifying for Kona". Given it wasn't me, it was an easy claim to make! Well, thankfully both brands delivered on my requests - and despite a puncture - tester John Franklin delivered on my bold claims too, winning the 18-24 Age Group by just two minutes and booking his Kona slot.

Yesterday John reported on the Aqua Sphere Icon wetsuit, while today he reviews the Fusion Triathlon Power Compression Shorts and Fusion Multisport Pro Top.

As most triathletes are well aware, training and racing are two very different beasts, and, as such, the kit we use on race day is going to be subject to different demands to the equipment we elect to use on a daily and weekly basis. On April 5th, three pieces of kit were put through their paces in the most extreme conditions possible at Ironman South Africa. On a day where temperatures peaked at 34 degrees, the clothes I chose to wear experienced just over ten hours of racing. So, how did they fair under the circumstances?

Fusion Triathlon Power Compression Shorts (£62)

When racing any triathlon, the race suit has to be both functional, well fitted and, if at all possible, aesthetically pleasing. Having tested the Fusion Compression Tights earlier in the season I had high expectations for the Fusion Power Compression race shorts and standard race top.

The tech spec says: "Fusion Power Triathlon Tights are made from LYCRA® POWER™ A certified compressive fabric made to enhance performance by reducing muscle vibration, a major cause of muscle fatigue, therefore increasing accuracy and efficiency of movement, and providing superior comfort and fit. These are designed for the Sprint, Olympic, Middle Distance and Ironman Triathlete. These tights also provide excellent support and comfort for marathon running."

The compression shorts are an innovative design being one of the first tri-specific race shorts to incorporate compression technology. Fusion have managed to avoid the potential pitfalls of this buy creating a short which sits on the hip bone, thus eliminating the possibility of too much pressure on the stomach. With this athlete they were an instant hit. Not only is the fit excellent but the chamois was comfortable for rides of anything up to three hours and was wearable for rides of six hours plus. On my evening runs I found that even after a week of training, my legs felt fresher when wearing the Fusion kit. My only criticism was that it meant having to find the time to wash it every evening so it was clean for the next day!

On race day the shorts stepped up to the challenge. They allowed me to ride in relative comfort for the entire bike leg and I personally believe that the compression technology played some part in helping me to run the 26th quickest marathon of the day, and run my way from fifth to first in my age group. I wouldn't go as far as to say that these shorts got me my Kona slot, but they certainly helped.

One small draw back is that they do lack a rear pocket so if you choose to run in them and need to carry keys/gels you will need a top or fuel belt to provide that function.

Fusion Triathlon Mulitsport Pro Top (£52)

The top was not as impressive in action as the shorts. It served its purpose, with two rear pockets there was room to carry a CO2 inflator on the bike and gels on the run, but it did not perform as well in the heat. The material was not as breathable as my previous race top of choice, and whilst this may not prove to be a problem in the UK, it was a small drawback in the baking heat of Port Elizabeth. Also, the suit is a little baggy around the mid-rift. This is not so much an issue for wetsuit sanctioned events but would cause excess drag in non-wetsuit and pool based triathlons (where the alternative Fusion Triathlon Power Top, may be a better a choice). It's not a bad top, but it doesn't rank alongside the other Fusion kit I have tried.

In summary, I plan on going out and purchasing several pairs of the shorts to make sure I have a pair for every session I do in the build up to Kona, however, I will be pairing those shorts with a different top come race day.

The shorts and top tested are both available in four colours (black, blue, red or white).
For more information on the Fusion Sports range of products and to purchase online, go to www.fusionsportsuk.co.uk.