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You’ve done the training, and now it’s time to step up to the start line. What you choose to wear during a triathlon can have a big impact on your performance. Uncomfortable chamois pads, scratchy seams or stiflingly hot materials… get your tri suit wrong, and you’re in for a world of misery!
Whether you’re a seasoned age-grouper looking for marginal gains to send you on your way to a new PR at your next Ironman-distance triathlon. A beginner looking for the best tri suit to get you comfortably through your first triathlon. Or you’re after the ultimate tri suit to help you stand out from the crowd in your race photos. We’re bringing you our pick of the best tri suits for all types of racing.
Best tri suit for aero performance without compromise on comfort
TRI-FIT VORTEX
If you’re looking for a tri suit which ticks every box, particularly for long distance racing, the search is over. The new TRI-FIT VORTEX is the brand’s most advanced tri suit yet – and the R&D process behind it has been a labour of love. But that hard work has paid off, because TRI-FIT have seriously upped their (already very high) bar with the VORTEX tri suit. Bringing you all the best bits of their previous award-winning long-distance tri suits, the VORTEX is ultra-aero and performance focused – but crucially, there’s no compromise on comfort, practicality or durability.
Where other aero tri suits will forego things like storage, or be designed with fabrics so delicate you’ll only get one season out of it before it needs replacing. The VORTEX has been built to last, and designed to give you everything you need to get to the finish line. Luxuriously soft, breathable fabrics that move with you? Check. Ventilation and cooling to keep your core temperature down? Check. Enough pockets to carry nutrition for long distance racing? Check. And a ridiculously comfortable chamois pad to boot.
All those advanced features do come with a higher price tag compared to the brand’s GEO and EVO 2.3 suits. But it’s still significantly better value for money compared with some of the top end suits out there which are getting up towards four figures – and in our opinion, the VORTEX can more than compete with these ultra-premium brands.
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Best for racing in hot conditions
Ryzon Verge Series Aero Tri Suit
Another serious investment is the Ryzon Verge Series aero tri suit. But when it comes to a tri suit that’s been designed specifically to deal with hot conditions – you’ll struggle to find a suit loaded with more cooling technology.
Markus Konrad from Ryzon spoke to TRI247 when we put together our feature on investigating how much faster a tri suit can actually make you, who explained that the brand have implemented the use of graphene to fast-track cooling when the heat is on. The inside of the suit is printed with Graphene Plus®, which is highly conductive and dissipates body heat over a wide surface area. In addition, Ryzon have also positioned cooling pockets (for ice and sponges) such that the graphene helps to distribute the cold along the torso faster.
Like the Surpas, the price point means your casual weekend warrior will probably want to look for a more budget-friendly option. But for those of you harbouring dreams of a Kona age group podium, the heat-management of the ultra-high end suits like the Ryzon could make a big difference to your performance.
Best tri suit for beginners
ZONE3 Activate
An earlier version of the ZONE3 Activate was one of the first tri suits I wore when I first got into triathlon. And now coming up for 8 years later, it still remains a tried and tested classic. Coming in at a far more budget-friendly price point, this is a great tri suit for when you’re just starting out in triathlon. You want a tri suit that’s comfortable, without having to put your credit card under serious strain.
The pad is perfectly comfy for sprint distance and standard distance racing. Both the sleeved and sleeveless versions are breathable enough to keep you cool, particularly over shorter distances. And since I had my version of this suit, ZONE3 have updated the fabric on the back to a lightweight waffle material for improved temperature regulation. The women’s version of this tri suit also comes with a built-in sports bra for extra support. If you’re looking for a tri suit which offers both comfort and value for money, the ZONE3 Activate is a great choice.
Best for inclusive sizing
Stolen Goat Advanced tri suit
UK-based brand Stolen Goat have long been making inclusive sizing a priority across their ranges, and their tri suit offering is no different – with up to size 4XL available. The brand have released a new and updated tri suit for 2024 – the Advanced Tri Suit. I tested out an early sample version of this new tri suit from Stolen Goat pre-release, wearing it for a long distance triathlon back in 2023. The pad performed really well, proving comfortable over the 180km bike. There were no issues with chafing from the leg grippers, and no annoying seams to dig in anywhere they shouldn’t. The four-way stretch gives a second skin fit that moves with you, and the perforated material on the upper body did a good job of keeping me cool, even when temperatures soared during the marathon.
Best entry-level tri suit
TRI-FIT VANGUARD
Entry-level can quite often be a thinly veiled way of saying a tri suit is fine, functional, but nothing particularly special. But the TRI-FIT VANGUARD packs a serious amount of performance for the price tag. Because budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean compromising on comfort or race day gains!
Essentials like the chamois pad and the fit are just as good as the high end models. The mono-colour designs lend a sleek, high-end look, that’s anything but ‘my first tri suit’. The fabric on the upper body is nicely breathable – though you’re not going to get the same advanced ultra-aero tech as you’ll get on the brand’s VORTEX and EVO 2.3 models. And the shorts are supportive, without being constrictive. Small compromises have had to be made compared to the higher end models, for example a few less pockets. But for comfort, fit and performance – no corners have been cut. Which means even if you’re racing the full Iron distance, the TRI-FIT Vanguard will be more than capable of getting you comfortably to the finish line. All without doing too much damage to your bank balance!
Best tri suits for vibrant designs
Zoot LTD and Ultra Triathlon race suits
Zoot tri suits are unmissable out on the race course, with the brand offering one of the best design selections you’ll find. Whether you want Hawaii-inspired blooms or bold geometric patterns. But that style doesn’t come at the cost of substance. I raced my first full distance triathlon back in 2018 in a Zoot suit and even then, it was ultra-comfortable for a long day of swim-bike-run. But the latest incarnations of the LTD and Ultra Triathlon suits also come loaded with added extras including additional ice and sponge pockets for chafe-free cooling on the run, and a full zip design for any pit stops.
Grab a great deal with an extra 20% off the sale price
Born Bound Skärvatten Long Distance Short Sleeve Tri Suit
Born Bound are a relatively new triathlon apparel brand from the USA, bursting on to the scene with former ITU triathlete and duathlon world champion Annie Emerson and PRO triathlete Kieran Linders on their athlete ambassador roster.
The Skarvatten tri suits are designed specifically for longer distance triathlon racing, with UPF 50 protective fabric, Cold Black® treated materials for cooling, compressive fabric on the shorts and bonded seam for aerodynamics. What we really like about this suit is the use of the Elastic Interface gender specific chamois pad (the same pad you’ll find in the TRI-FIT EVO 2.3 which we found to be a game changer for comfort on the bike). But also silicone dimples on the outside of the suit to help reduce slipping once you’ve found your position on the saddle. So far in testing the chamois pad is ultra-comfy, as you’d expect given how much we raved about the exact same one in the TRI-FIT suit. And the compressive fabric on the shorts feels really supportive, without being restrictive. Alongside the short sleeved full tri suit, the brand also offer 2-piece separates and they’ve just released a new PRO version of the OG Skarvatten suit which is all about marginal aero gains – with Kieran Linders achieving a 4 watt saving with the new suit.
TRI247 readers can currently get an extra 20% off the original Skarvatten tri suits with code 247-20% – enter at check out.
Choosing the best tri suit can help to level up your performance, ramp up the comfort levels and let’s face it – make sure you get some awesome photos – come race day. Need a little more guidance to find the right tri suit for you? Check out our tri suit buying guide. And if you’re suited up and ready to go, head over to our Training section to get some more triathlon training tips and advice, and our Gear section to get your other race day essentials sorted.
