Triathlon can be one of the most cost prohibitive sports that there is, whether it be bikes, equipment, apparel, coaching or race entry fees the costs can quickly add up. Selecting the right gear is essential to maximising your performance on race day. One of the most essential pieces of equipment is the triathlon suit, which can have a significant impact on your race experience and also your performance.
We hope that we can provide you with the knowledge to appropriately select a triathlon suit that suits your needs and also your budget, whether you are a beginner, a seasoned athlete, a woman looking for specific fits, or someone seeking the best suits available.
Understanding Triathlon Suits
Triathlon suits, or tri suits, are made to be worn through all three legs of a triathlon: swimming, cycling and running. As such tri suits need to be well made and designed in order to perform across the three different disciplines. Some of the key features to look for when purchasing a trisuit are that it includes quick-drying fabric, an aerodynamic fit, and sufficient padding for the bike segment, whilst still enabling enough freedom and range of motion for the run.
Best Triathlon Suit for Beginners
For beginners, the best triathlon suit is usually one that balances affordability, comfort, and functionality. Particularly for beginners it is not necessary to invest in a high end suit, a lot of the features advertised such as aerodynamic savings are unlikely to have much impact for someone just starting out with relatively slower times. Instead it is important to focus on a suit that offers good value while having essential features such as quick drying fabric, a good range of motion and a quality chamois pad that is not overly restrictive of movement.
Recommended Options:
Within our own Velotec range, we would recommend our Elite Aero Short Sleeve Suit as an ideal suit for a beginner or more price conscious person. The elite aero provides a great balance between comfort and performance. Sport lycra fabric designed for triathlon ensures a quick drying suit and a Berenis Cancun Chamois pad provides ideal comfort on the bike with limited impact on range of motion when running
Best Women's Triathlon Suit
Women's triathlon suits use identical materials and construction methods to that of normal tri suits, however there are certain tweaks that are made in order to optimise the suit for women. The key differences between a mens and womens suit is the cut and sizing of the suits themselves and also the use of a women's specific chamois pad which is better suited to the female anatomy.
Recommended Options:
Currently within the Velotec range we offer women’s triathlon suits as made to order, this process is usually quite simple and takes approximately 6 - 8 weeks from confirmation until the date of delivery. Our made to order suits are designed specifically to accommodate the requirements of a women’s triathlon.
Aero Tri Suit
For the more experienced athletes that are looking to maximise their performance an aero tri suit is the way to go. The days of sleeveless tri suits are no more, with top end professional long course athletes all using modern aero tri suits, designed to be as aerodynamic as possible which reduces drag on the bike, increasing speed and resulting in a faster time. Over the length of an Ironman the difference between an aero optimised suit and a standard triathlon suit can result in savings of several minutes.
Recommended Options:
PRO2.0
Our very own PRO2.0 suit incorporates the latest aero materials making it one of the fastest suits available on the market. With wind tunnel testing to back it up, this suit is certain to save you minutes against some very notable competitors. But beyond being just aero, this suit is incredibly fast drying and also the most comfortable suit we have ever made.
PRO Aero
The PRO Aero, despite not being as up to date as our latest PRO2.0 model, still offers leading aerodynamic performance on the bike that will save you time on the bike leg, and for a lower cost than a lot of our competitors. Its use of a cancun chamois pad and quick drying fabrics ensures comfort whether your race be a sprint distance or an Ironman.
Small Budget Triathlon Suits
Not everyone has the money or desire to spend hundreds of euros, pounds or dollars on a top end triathlon suit, particularly when they may not need a lot of the features offered by the top end/higher priced suits. The important thing to consider with a budget suit is the comfort, if you are in a position to try a suit on prior to purchase we highly recommend this, or if purchasing online we recommend brands with a flexible returns policy.. Entry level suits will often be made of a normal cycling lycra which is not as fast drying, and usually these options will not incorporate aero materials. However, a good comfortable entry level tri suit will be a huge upgrade on normal clothing, cutting down minutes of time that you would lose having to change your wardrobe in transitions zones
Conclusion
Choosing the best triathlon suit for your budget involves considering various factors, including your experience level, gender-specific needs, and performance goals. Whether you're a beginner looking for an entry-level suit, a woman seeking a perfect fit, or a competitive athlete aiming for aerodynamic efficiency, there's a triathlon suit out there for you. By focusing on key features and considering the demands that are relevant to you, you can find a suit that enhances your performance whilst still fits within your budget.