ORCA ALPHA

£549 The previous version of the Alpha has seen us happily through two race seasons, so we had that slightly nervous feeling when we heard it had been tweaked for 2018. Thankfully, though, the changes make a great suit even better. You still get paper-thin titanium-lined sleeves, reduced to just 0.5mm (from 0.88mm) and supple neoprene with just enough buoyancy (sinkylegged swimmers should try the Predator) but Orca have added a new, shorter, zip that helps to prevent water ingress in the lower back and reduce swim restriction. They’ve also given the suit new knee panels that make kicking (and running to T1) easier. A top suit! orca.com