11 Best Triathlon Wetsuits [2024]
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Are you a beginner triathlete and are not sure which is the best wetsuit to get? Or are you an advanced triathlete looking to upgrade your current wetsuit?
There are a lot of factors that come together when choosing your ideal suit. Let’s find out what they are.
I am reviewing more reasonably priced wetsuits up until high-end wetsuits.
Read this article to find the right wetsuit for your triathlon swimming.
What Is a Triathlon Wetsuit?
Triathlon wetsuits are specially made for triathletes.
The best triathlon wetsuits not only keep us warm in cold water, they also can improve our swimming position.
Picking the right wetsuit for your needs is thus extra important to maximize the impact it has on your swimming.
There are sleeved and sleeveless wetsuits.
Wetsuits that support your upper body or your lower body more, depending on your weaknesses.
All for one reason….to make YOU a better swimmer!
How Can a Triathlon Wetsuit Benefit You
A Triathlon Wetsuit can help you become more buoyant.
Especially if you’re a beginner triathlete and you struggle with keeping your hips and legs from sinking in the water.
A wetsuit will help you stay in a more horizontal and streamlined position in the water which means -> you swim faster!
What Are the Best Triathlon Wetsuits?
Now let’s look at some of the best triathlon wetsuits to boost your performance in the water!
So you can perform your best in your triathlon events.
Beginner
1. Orca Athlex Float
The Float model from Orca is practically made for beginners. It has the highest buoyancy and is designed for maximal flexibility.
Also, it’s the cheapest model from Orca which makes it particularly accessible for beginners.
Key Benefits
- 4.5mm thick neoprene on the legs for increased buoyancy.
- High elasticity in the shoulders, arms, and back for unrestricted movement.
- Yamamoto 39 neoprene
- SCS treatment for improved hydrodynamics and speed.
Personal opinion
This is a great wetsuit for beginners as it offers support for the common weaknesses of beginner triathletes.
The Orca Athlex Float is on the cheaper side of the wetsuit spectrum, so perfect as your first triathlon wetsuit.
2. Blueseventy Sprint
The Blueseventy Sprint wetsuit is designed as an entry-level suit offering comfort and support for beginners.
It is important to them to make it easier to put on and take off so you can focus on your technique.
Key Benefits
- SCS coating on arms, legs, and lower torso for quick drying and reduced water friction.
- Lower neckline for comfort and reduced chafing.
- Easy on and off with ankle cuffs design.
- Super-Stretch Jersey arm gussets for flexibility.
- 3-4-4 buoyancy profile to promote good body position and reduce drag.
Personal Opinion
If you are a beginner looking for your first triathlon wetsuit, I would say that the Blueseventy’s wetsuit is a really good choice as it is literally MADE for beginners.
Easy to take on and off AND buoyant in the places you need it to be…. excellent!
Additionally, it doesn’t break the bank (You might even get it under 200$!).
The only downside is, that it has limited performance enhancements and additional technologies that are typically found in more advanced suits. Thi means, you probably want to upgrade your wetsuit when you get better.
3. Xterra Vortex
The Xterra Vortex has been the number 1 best-selling sleeveless wetsuit in North America for over ten years. So undoubtedly you can’t expect much less from the full suit.
Key Benefits
- 5mm neoprene for buoyancy and warmth.
- X-FLEX liner for easy transition.
- Eco-friendly neoprene.
Personal opinion
My biggest pro for this triathlon wetsuit is that it is good for all skill levels.
And the good return policy also speaks for itself.
Not to forget is the great flexibility in the arms and shoulder parts of the wetsuit.
The only thing that you should keep in mind is that the sizing runs small!
As it is a USA-based company, you are responsible for all customs and duties, so keep that in mind if you live and order from outside the USA!!!!
Beginner to Intermediate
4. Sailfish One 7
The Sailfish One 7 is a high-end triathlon wetsuit designed for performance-oriented swimmers. It’s known for its excellent flexibility, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic properties, making it ideal for both competitive races and training sessions.
Key Benefits
- Advanced flexibility for unrestricted movement.
- Optimal buoyancy for efficient swimming.
- Hydrodynamic design to reduce water resistance.
- Durable and comfortable material for extended use.
Personal Opinion
The Sailfish One 7 is the optimal choice for you if you are transitioning from a beginner-level tri wetsuit to a more intermediate one.
This wetsuit offers a lot of support for a more horizontal body position in the water. But also gives swimmers and triathletes maximum flexibility in their swim strokes.
With higher quality comes a higher price.
You CAN expect to gain more from this wetsuit with your improved technique but also expect to pay a higher price for it.
5. Zoot Wikiwiki 2.0
The Zoot Wikiwiki 2.0 Wetsuit, means literally “speedy fast” in Hawaiian. It is designed for high performance and is tailored towards experienced athletes. It’s engineered to deliver cutting-edge features for enhanced swimming efficiency.
Key Benefits
- Innovative Waterwing catch panel.
- Combination of Yamamoto SCS Nano #40 and #39 neoprene for optimal buoyancy and speed.
- AQUAlift buoyancy profile to maintain the best swimming position.
- Gender-specific ergonomically shaped panels.
Personal Opinion
The Wikiwiki 2.0 is clearly a top-tier wetsuit designed for competitive triathletes.
Its focus is on flexibility, particularly in the arms and shoulders. The advanced neoprene materials, make it a strong choice for those looking to optimize their performance in the water.
The price might be high but I think it reflects the advanced technology and materials used in this wetsuit.
It’s an investment for serious athletes who are seeking the best equipment to enhance their swimming capabilities.
Intermediate
6. Huub Aegis X
The Huub Aegis X is a versatile triathlon wetsuit designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels. It blends high-end features into a suit that offers both comfort and efficiency in the water.
Key Benefits
- Suitable for various skill levels
- Comfortable
- Designed for efficient swimming performance
Personal opinion
The Huub Aegis X is a well-rounded suit. As it offers a good mix of buoyancy and flexibility.
I really like the design of this wetsuit. It’s not just that…its design is also focused on comfort AND performance!
This makes it a strong choice for triathletes seeking a high-quality wetsuit without the top-tier price.
7. Quintana Roo Hydrofive
The Quintana Roo Hydrofive is a high-performance wetsuit engineered with a focus on flexibility, buoyancy, and comfort. It uses premium Yamamoto Type 39 and 40 neoprene and features a minimized seam placement for unrestricted movement. The wetsuit is designed with a unisex fitting system and has a hydrodynamic buoyancy profile for maximum efficiency.
Key Benefits
- Suitable for various body types
- Made with premium Yamamoto Neoprene for durability and flexibility
- Minimized seam placement for enhanced comfort and movement
- Comfort Seal Neck Design
Personal opinion
This is a very powerful and efficient wetsuit for those looking to level up their game.
Furthermore, this wetsuit offers a high range of movement and has an efficient buoyancy profile!
The downside of this wetsuit is that is priced higher than some entry-level options. But in return, this model is very durable!
8. TYR Sport Hurricane Wetsuit
The TYR Sport Hurricane Category 3 Wetsuit is designed for performance enhancement in triathlon swimming. It’s part of TYR’s Hurricane series, offering a blend of advanced features for intermediate-level athletes.
Key Benefits
- 360-degree Core Stabilization System for muscle support.
- Speed Wrap Paneling for increased buoyancy.
- Quick Release Ankle Cuffs for faster transitions.
- Form-fitting wrist Cuffs to minimize water entry.
Personal opinion
If you are aiming for a quick T1, this wetsuit might be the right choice as it is known for its ease of removal.
The advanced buoyancy and stability features are big pros.
BUT if you are looking for a lower number on the price tag, this suit is not ideal for you. It is priced higher compared to entry-level suits.
Advanced/Pro
9. 2XU Propel Pro
The 2XU Propel Pro is a high-performance triathlon wetsuit designed for serious athletes. It integrates the latest neoprene technology and design innovation to provide ultimate flexibility and minimal water resistance.
Key Benefits
- Hydrodynamic Nano-SCS Coating.
- Premium Japanese Yamamoto 45-cell flexible neoprene in the shoulder and arms.
- High-quality Japanese Yamamoto 39 Cell buoyant neoprene in the body.
- Intermediate Stretch Zone (ISZ) core panels.
- Lower leg propulsion panel.
Personal opinion
The 2XU Propel Pro uses the newest Neoprene suit technology.
This triathlon wetsuit is like a second skin, the compression in this suit offers several racing advantages.
It also offers a high range of motion and high buoyancy in the water.
Keep in mind that this wetsuit may be more suited for experienced triathletes.
Even though it has a high price point, you will get what you pay for!
10. Alpha Triathlon Wetsuit by ORCA
The Alpha Triathlon Wetsuit by ORCA is a premium wetsuit designed for advanced triathletes.
This wetsuit is crafted with the needs of high-level competitors in mind, offering a blend of top-tier materials and technologies.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional flexibility, especially in the shoulder and arm areas for unrestricted movement.
- Advanced buoyancy features for optimal body positioning in water.
- State-of-the-art neoprene materials for enhanced hydrodynamics.
- Innovative design focusing on reducing drag and improving swim efficiency.
Personal opinion
This is a really great and innovative wetsuit. It was made specifically for what are called Natural Swimmers.
It has a low neoprene thickness around the arms and on the back to improve the stroke amplitude of the swimmer.
Another feature of this wetsuit is the shorter zipper for greater elasticity.
The downside is that this wetsuit is really not for everyone, as they say, just for advanced swimmers with advanced techniques!
11. Roka Maverick Pro II
The Roka Maverick Pro II is a wetsuit designed for high performance and agility in the water. It incorporates innovative technologies to enhance swimming efficiency, focusing on shoulder flexibility and buoyancy.
Key Benefits
- ARMS-UP™ construction for unrestricted shoulder movement.
- RS2™ centerline buoyancy for efficient rotation and body alignment.
- Graduated buoyancy profile for an optimal body position.
- Premium Yamamoto neoprene for flexibility and durability.
- SCS Nano Coating for speed and durability.
- Quick-release ankle panels for fast transitions.
Personal opinion
Roka is an official partner of Ironman. And is trusted and used by a lot of athletes around the globe.
Their suits are designed for great shoulder mobility and body rotation.
The thoughtful blend of materials and features demonstrates Roka’s commitment to providing high-quality, performance-oriented wetsuits.
The disadvantage is that this wetsuit is fairly expensive and probably not affordable for every athlete.
How We Conducted Our Research
When doing our research to find the best triathlon wetsuits, we determined using these factors:
- Pricing: How much did each product cost?
- Features: What were the best features of each product,?
- Negatives: What was missing from each product?
- Refund: Do they offer a refund policy?
Wrapping Up
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve navigated through a variety of triathlon wetsuits, from budget-friendly options for beginners to high-end suits for the pros.
Each wetsuit has its unique set of features, designed to enhance your swimming experience in different ways – whether it’s increased buoyancy, flexibility, or hydrodynamic efficiency.
Remember, finding the best triathlon wetsuit for your needs can significantly impact your performance.
Choosing one should be based on your skill level, swimming style, and personal preferences. Dive into your triathlon journey with the perfect wetsuit and make every stroke count!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for my triathlon wetsuit to ensure its longevity?
Proper care is crucial for extending the life of your wetsuit. Rinse it in fresh water after each use, avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, and hang it to dry away from heat sources. Store it flat or on a wide hanger to prevent creases.
What water temperature is ideal for a triathlon wetsuit?
Triathlon wetsuits are designed for various water temperatures, but they’re most effective between 15°C to 24°C. Below this range, consider additional thermal protection; above it, a wetsuit might become too warm.
What Should I Wear Under a Triathlon Wetsuit?
The ideal choice is a tri suit, either a one-piece or two-piece, for its versatility across swim, bike, and run segments. Alternatives include swim briefs or form-fitting swimwear. Comfort and chafe resistance are key considerations. For more details, check out this guide on what to wear under a triathlon wetsuit.
Can I use my triathlon wetsuit for other water sports?
Triathlon wetsuits are specifically designed for swimming. Using them for sports like surfing or diving might not provide the necessary protection or durability and could lead to quicker wear and tear.
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