HUUB ALBACORE SWIMSKIN

Will the tech translate to the water?

Huub have opted for a more classic look with the design of the Albacore Swimskin. Yet the all-over black suit – punctured by the silver and red stripes down the side of the suit that follow the line of the thick seams – was harder to pull on and off in comparison to Orca’s RS1 on the right. The zip at the back also proved difficult without the help of our fellow club swimmers. Even when we managed to get it halfway up, it would zip back down with any slight movement. Happily it was easy enough to get off, so shouldn’t cost you time in T1. The compressive element of the suit is evident in the water, and it felt snug around our thighs and kept them ready for action during sprints thanks to the noticeable absence of muscle fatigue. But the overall thickness of the suit felt restrictive in the water, which meant our swimming experience wasn’t effortless, plus we experienced some chafing around the neck during the test period. The suit also seemed to absorb a fair amount of water, which compromised the second skin feeling we experienced in the RS1, and created drag. If you’re after more material for your money then the Albacore is the suit for you, but we prefer something a little lighter.