TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance

TRI-FIT have earned themselves many awards, accolades and top-rated reviews for their tri suit range in recent years – many of which you’ll find on these pages at TRI247! And that’s because time and time again, they’ve consistently delivered top class race day gear that performs when you need it. In fact, I was so impressed with the TRI-FIT GEO when I had it in for review last spring, that I went ahead and bought myself the EVO 2.3 for my two key races last season.

So when TRI-FIT let me know they’d spent the best part of a year working behind the scenes to develop a brand new tri suit that would be their most advanced, performance-focused suit yet. It’s safe to say, my expectations were high. I took the new TRI-FIT VORTEX ultra-aero triathlon suit out for a spin at a standard distance race to put it to the test. Read on to find out how it performed!

Key features

Ultra-aero French ribbed fabric	Laser cut ventilation
Super lightweight and breathable	Heat-welded seams
Full-front opening	TRI COMP EVO Chamois by Elastic Interface® suitable for long distance racing
Aero rear pocket system	IceDrip rear neck pocket
UV protection	Printed silicone leg grippers
Sizes: XS-XL (women’s), XS-XXL (men’s)	RRP: £399 / ~$535 / ~€460

The TL;DR Summary: TRI-FIT have seriously upped their already very high game with the VORTEX tri suit

I’ve raced two full Ironman distances in a TRI-FIT suit, so it’s obvious that I’ve built up a lot of trust in the brand’s ability to deliver a race suit that’s comfortable without compromise on performance. But the VORTEX really does take that to the next level.

They’ve refined and improved all the performance-led features here – from the French-ribbed aero fabric across the shoulders, to laser cut ventilation and ultra-low profile pockets. But that hasn’t come at the cost of race day comfort. The fabrics are super lightweight, without feeling flimsy. The leg grippers and the sleeves didn’t roll up at all under my wetsuit, and there was zero shoulder restriction during the swim. The chamois pad is their comfiest yet for the bike and the run. And the aero fabrics certainly did their job, helping me to post a quicker than expected bike split which, combined with being able to keep my temperature controlled on the run, saw me finish 2nd overall in the women’s race!

There’s no getting away from the fact that this suit is also a step up in terms of price point compared to TRI-FIT’s other tri suit offerings. This is a truly high end suit, aimed at triathletes taking a no-stone unturned approach to performance. But feature-for-feature, this triathlon race suit can certainly be considered a contender against other (way more expensive) premium suits out there. And for those looking to spend a little less, they do of course have the new TRI-FIT VANGUARD race suit which comes at a more accessible price point.

TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit in-depth review

That’s the headlines. But if you want to take a deeper dive into all the features of this tri suit, and how they performed for a real age-group triathlete in a real race setting… keep reading!

Comfort and fit

First let’s talk sizing. What I really appreciate with TRI-FIT is that the sizing is consistent across all their tri suit models, so if you’ve got on well with the sizing on one suit – you can order the same size in another with confidence. I wear a UK 6-8 and I’m 5ft 4, and for me the size S fits perfectly. There’s also a good amount of stretch in this suit, which combined with the full zip opening should make it easier for taller athletes to get a good fit.

Upgraded fabrics

Next let’s talk comfort. I didn’t expect to notice a huge difference on that front when trying the VORTEX on for the first time compared to the EVO 2.3 – because the EVO is super comfortable. But alongside the performance features (more on those further down), TRI-FIT have also ramped up the comfort levels too. The material on the shorts has been upgraded, giving an even more supportive feel without any tightness or restriction. On race day, the grippers stayed put and didn’t roll up even under a hastily thrown on wetsuit – and I had no issues with them digging in or chafing.

Champion of chamois pads

I feel like I’ve written about how comfortable TRI-FIT’s chamois pads are on the internet more than any person ever should. But nothing ruins race day like an uncomfortable undercarriage so it’s an important factor! And again, just when I thought they had no room to improve here compared to their previous suits – they’ve upgraded the chamois on the VORTEX to an even comfier option. The sign of a good chamois? The one you don’t notice. If you’re comfy on the bike, and not aware of it on the run – it’s doing a great job.

Race day comfort that means you can focus on your performance

The French ribbed fabric on the shoulders delivers aero gains but not at the cost of comfort. I’ve had kit from other brands with this style of ribbed material before and it’s been quite stiff and scratchy. But on the VORTEX, it’s super soft and it still has a high amount of stretch so it moves with you. Seam placement and stitching have also been carefully thought about throughout, minimising any potential for discomfort. And on race day, all of that translated to ‘forget you’re wearing it’ levels of comfort.

Performance-led features, race day tested

Comfort is one thing, but if you’re investing in a premium tri suit you want the performance to match. And while the VORTEX might be ridiculously comfortable, it’s giving you all that while still being supremely performance-led.

As mentioned, my maiden voyage in this tri suit was a standard distance race. Which, as a long distance racer, felt way more hectic than I’m accustomed to. Where in an Ironman distance I’d take an extra second or two to check my kit was all sitting properly after getting out of my wetsuit before heading out on the bike, in this race there was no time to dawdle. And thankfully, the construction of this tri suit meant that the sleeves and the leg grippers had stayed perfectly in place under my wetsuit. No wrinkling or rolling up. Locked, loaded and ready to roll without having to waste time faffing. The chamois pad didn’t retain water after the swim either, and the suit dried out quickly on the bike.

Aero performance

I’m in the middle of a big training block on the road to Kona right now, and that mid-Ironman training fatigue (if you know, you know) made itself known on the bike. I couldn’t quite hit the power numbers I wanted to, but despite that I actually finished the 46km ride a few minutes quicker than my coach and I had calculated – despite the lower power numbers. That’s not the exact science of a wind tunnel test – but I’d say that’s a solid indication that the aero-tuning of the VORTEX tri suit more than did it’s job!

Ventilation and breathability

The materials on the TRI-FIT VORTEX are designed to be super lightweight and breathable. You’ve also got laser cut ventilation holes on the shoulders, quite literally to let off some steam! And single piece side panels with further laser cut ventilation, which is also seam free under the armpits.

Conditions weren’t quite at Kona levels of hot and humid during my UK-based race in this suit. But temperatures did actually rise pretty quickly, and we always get a steamy dose of clammy humidity whenever it’s warm here in the UK. And I’d say the VORTEX did a good job of helping me to stay cool. I didn’t feel hot at all on the bike. And even on the run, where there was little shade and strong near-midday sun, my temperature and heart rate both felt nicely controlled – I was able to negative split quite comfortably.

It’s worth noting that on the white editions of this tri suit, the ultra-lightweight, breathable fabric is quite see-through. That doesn’t bug me at all, but just a heads-up – you’ll definitely want to wear a sports bra with this suit.

Pocket power

TRI-FIT have redesigned the rear pockets on this tri suit. You’ve got two small gel pockets, and one larger pocket in the middle with a fold-over design to optimise aerodynamics. There’s also two internal pockets either side of the zip on the front of the suit. Plus the IceDrip pocket on the nape of the neck, designed to hold an ice cube, which I really liked on the EVO 2.3 also features here.

Obviously in a standard distance race, I didn’t need to make much use of the pockets. I have built-in storage on the bike, and I only took one gel for the run. But for longer distance racing, I’d say you could easily carry 6 gels in your pockets without it being a tight squeeze.

The only thing I would say is that the two small gel pockets on the back are designed to very neatly hold one gel, which means it takes a bit of extra ‘feeling around’ to get the gel in your pocket if you’re running at the same time. Not a big issue, and it does mean your nutrition feels nice and secure once it’s in.

The full kit option

Alongside the VORTEX tri suit, TRI-FIT are also about to launch matching aero calf sleeves. These are made from the same French ribbed fabric and you can get them in white or black. I wore mine on race day, and they performed well. They were comfortable enough to wear under my wetsuit without being overly tight. Stayed put even when I whipped my wetsuit off in transition. And they didn’t move even a millimetre during the bike or the run. So if you really want to optimise your aerodynamics, you can add the VORTEX calf sleeves to your race day ensemble without worrying about being uncomfortable.

Is the TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit suitable for Iron distance racing?

For me, what sets any tri suit apart is whether or not I’d genuinely be willing to go and race an Ironman distance triathlon in it. Because what feels fine for a couple of hours or less in short course racing, can become agony by the end of 140.6 miles of swim-bike-run. And based on my testing so far, I’d be more than happy to race a full distance in the VORTEX. The fit, feel and chamois pad have all been upgraded from the TRI-FIT EVO 2.3 which I’ve raced 2 full Ironman distance events in. You haven’t got the extra hip pockets on the VORTEX like you do on the EVO 2.3, but you’ve still got plenty of storage. And over a 180km bike ride, those aero gains will soon add up too.

The verdict

Once again, TRI-FIT have launched a product which is truly hard to fault. Trying to be picky (mainly so you don’t think they’re black mailing me!) the only minor deductions here are for the slightly tight rear gel pockets – I could see myself having butter fingers heading out of T2 after 180kms on the bike and struggling to get my gels loaded. And maybe the see-through nature of the white fabric if that’s something you’re bothered by – again, personally not an issue and nothing a white sports bra won’t fix. But aside from that… the TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit is a near 10/10.

Next-level performance, that’s actually built to last. And where other aero suits might compromise on comfort in favour of performance, TRI-FIT have actually ramped up the comfort levels in tandem. This latest offering from TRI-FIT really ups the game, and I think it’ll more than stand up against some of the key premium players in the triathlon apparel market.