SWIMRUN WETS U I TS

With the Swedish sport growing in popularity, swimrun wetsuits are becoming increasingly feature-packed. But which is best for you? Helen Webster tests five specialist releases

Head to your local lake this summer and such is the popularity of the Swedish sport of swimrun now in the UK, you’ll possibly see at least a couple of people running in and out of the water wearing funny-looking wetsuits and all kinds of other paraphenalia. But if you’re thinking of trying swimrun for the first time, do you really need to splash out on a new suit?

Well, in short, we would say yes. Okay, you can do a race in an old tri wetsuit cut down above the knees (and possibly arms too), but it’ll likely be uncomfortable to run in and lack many of the features that specialist swimrun suits do. These include a front zip for flexibility, extra buoyancy in the legs and torso, stretchy nylon panels in the underarms and groin for easier running and pockets for all your essential kit (you have to carry a whistle, map, compass and bandage in swimrun).

The good news? As the sport has grown in popularity so have the number of suits available. Most brands now offer a range of prices and specs, we found entry-level ones from as little as £125 online (by Wiggle’s own Dhb brand) and if that’s still too spendy, there’s bound to be someone in your local tri club who can lend you one for your first adventure.

In this test we’ve focussed on newrelease suits that come in between £250 and £450, so are ideal if you’re looking for an upgrade, or are already sure that this is the sport for you. For this money we’d be looking for well-thought out features, excellent fit and flexibility, speed and adaptability for different conditions. Let the swimrunning begin!

How we tested

We tested these suits during a number of hot weeks in the British summer, performing multiple loops around our local lake and wooded run trails. We considered warmth and buoyancy in the swim, flexibility and comfort in the run, and also what additional features, such as removable sleeves, an easy-to-peel-off top and storage pockets, are included.

zips The front zip is for ease of movement and ventilation when running. Some have a back zip, for flexibility, too. buoyancy Not limited to 5mm like in tri; some suits will have up to 8mm in the quads to counteract the weight of swimming in wet shoes. sleeves Suits will vary. Choose from long, short, or removable sleeves depending on the temperatures you’ll be racing in.