TOP-END VERDICT

As has been the case in recent

years, high-end tri wetsuits aren’t aimed solely at frontpack swimmers. The Zoot Wave 3 and Sailfish One suits, in particular, make a big deal of their high-buoyancy ratios, and we’d pick the former if we had cash to spend on a high buoyancy suit. £400 is not cheap, but if it’s between this and the Sailfish One we think the Wave 3 is essentially a better suit for less money.

Zone3’s Victory D narrowly

takes the best of the rest award, with the titanium coating making it a great option for chilly British waters and more exotic climes alike, while providing great flexibility. The Mako Torrent wins in the looks department, but just doesn’t quite have the same freedom of movement of the Victory D and Alpha.

By a slender margin, our

winner is the 2XU Propel. It’s incredibly supple, light and we feel it’s the best suit for the widest range of swimmers (assuming you have £550 to drop on a wetsuit). Orca, Zone3 and Mako’s offerings all come highly commended.

thanks to…

Club La Santa in Lanzarote for hosting us while we tested these wetsuits in their warm weather and world-class sports facilities. Head to www. clublasanta.co.uk for more info on the tri destination.