IRONMAN TRI- SUITS
Have an Ironman planned for 2021? Then you’ll need a suit that can face the demands of long-course tri. We test 11
When choosing your Ironman tri-suit of choice, first you’ll need to decide what kind of Ironman athlete you are. Are aerodynamics worth the added costs that come with windtunnel, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and velodrome action if it means scooping the age-group honours? Or do you just want something comfy and capable of carrying up to 17hrs worth of fuel to that unforgettable 226km (or 113km) finish-line experience?
Don’t compromise on your choice of tri-suit for Ironman. If it doesn’t fit properly, try another size. Try not to be influenced by a suit because it’s £25 cheaper or is better looking than the one that really works for you. You’ll be spending many hours racing in your chosen suit of choice and something that bugs you on a 2hr brick session – hello rogue seam, dodgy zipper or soggy pad – will become a full-blown issue on your big iron day. That said, you’ll want to look and feel good in your Lycra armour of choice, so aesthetics does play a role. The current climate obviously makes shopping in brick and mortar outlets tricky, so an online analysis of pocket-and-pad sizing, material composition (you’ll want a suit that dries quickly on the bike and offers breathability on the run) and the style of grippers is highly recommended.
In the test here, we’ve put 11 short-sleeved suits targeted at long-distance tri to the test. Construction quality and material composition, pad performance, and the success of the grippers and zippers are all key focusses, and we’ve factored in aerodynamic features, value for money and durability.
Not racing Ironman in 2021? Then look out for vested tri-suits next issue (390, out 15 April) and shortsleeve suits for multiple distances in the 391
edition (out on 13 May).
2XU COMPRESS
£160 Aussies 2XU won our Ironman tri-suits test in 2018 and ’19 with their Compression tri-suit, and little has been changed in this 2020 version that continues into 2021. The compressive legs give it a USP, while the full-length zip with garage, spongy pad and lean fabric are still present to heighten long-course appeal. As evidenced by the internal flatlock seams, the suit ticks most boxes for a long-course race day, but there’s just a sense that, while the other brands are pressing forward in their creations, 2XU are now standing still with this suit (although we’ve warmed to the 1980s aesthetics in the year we’ve had it). Our Silverstone wind-tunnel testing with the Bike Tailor in 2020 saw it come sixth out of 10 overall at the 0° and 5° yaw angles, probably explained by the suit costing half the price of those aero tested to their limits. 2xu.com
SANTINI AUDAX
£270 As evidenced in the striking M-Dot branding, Santini are official Ironman sponsors. We’ve previously struggled with the sheer size of Santini’s cycling-esque pads on the run, but that’s been rectified thanks to a slimmer iron-specific pad with gel inserts. It’s a lightweight, lean and breathable suit, with easy-to-access open rear pockets (which sadly won’t persuade any non-wetsuit swimming friends), highquality grippers and, for us, the Japaneseinfluenced designs have the best looks on test. And the aero appeal? The Audax came mid-table in our 2020 wind-tunnel tests at the Silverstone wind tunnel (consistently behind Endura, Zone3 and Orca), and only marginally ahead of the 2XU here, despite costing £110 more. There’s a smart zipper garage but it doesn’t open out for any pre/ mid-race toilet stops, meaning we’re more likely to use this for 70.3. santinicycling.com
HUUB ANEMOI+
£299.99 The Anemoi+ arrived in 2019 with road-tested changes from the original Anemoi design. The first is the longer zip that makes it suitable for a stand-up wee, and lengthier legs, ribbed arms and bonded seams to increase the aero appeal. We used the Anemoi+ on a 3.8km/120km/11km DIY tri in Hawaii in ’19. The arms were unrestrictive on the sea swim, the chamois barely-there on the run, yet with just enough seated comfort on both the tri-bars and hoods. It was the new Moov&Cool tech – combined with the underarm venting – that really stood out, and at no point did the garment chafe, itch, allow sunburn or feel laden with sweat. As a mid/back-of-thepack athlete who stuffs their pockets with gels, we require more than the tiny solo pocket for racing longer than 70.3. But for triathletes at the pointy end? The Anemoi+ is a mighty contender. huubdesign.com
ZONE3 LAVA LONG DISTANCE
£195 After years of not quite making the topend tri-suit grade, Zone3 blew us away in 2020 with their Aeroforce speedsuit (from £275) in both the wind tunnel and on the road. Much of that painstaking R&D (with input from aero specialists Nopinz) has trickled down into the sub-£200 Lava – and it feels like they delivered the sweetspot between affordability (all things are relative), aerodynamic pursuits and practicality. Lengthy ribbed sleeves, a fulllength zip and supportive Cytech pad add to this winning performance vs practicality ratio. We were struggling to find faults until we reached for the pockets, which are small, shallow and difficult to access on the move (we wouldn’t trust sizeable OTE gels in them), and, while the pocket’s cover at the top wins swim points, it made stuffing empty gel packets back into them tricky, especially on the bike. zone3.com
CASTELLI PR SPEED SUIT
£275 Probably due to not hitting the lunchtime curry stall, lockdown has left us feeling leaner than we have since beer first tickled our tastebuds. And yet the PR Speed Suit still felt furiously tight as we peeled it on. Once in place, as evidenced by Cam Wurf breaking the Kona bike course record in this, the suit provides the aero goods, while feeling unrestrictive. ‘Second skin’ is an overused term, but the ultra-lean material genuinely feels like it’s painted onto the body – there are no wrinkles to be found, and the ribbed arms and lengthy sleeves add to the drag-cheating package. The 17cm-wide pad and sizeable duo of rear pockets are iron friendly, although for £275 we’d want fully flatlock seams inside. Onto the run and the pad stays problem-free, although the aesthetics were slightly ruined by our hairy chest being visible through the fabric.
TRIMTEX AERO 2.0
€329 Scandi outfit Trimtex are new to these pages, but they’ve long been worn by Norway’s 70.3 record holder Kristian Blummenfelt. Onto the bike and the aero details come to the fore, with its ribbed aero panels on the legs and sleeves that extend to both the elbows and knees, making this feel like a cycling speedsuit. The beefy and firm pad is iron-distance-friendly, yet its size is noticeable on the run – not the fullblown nappy effect of a decade ago, but something worth considering. For €329 Euros (not helped by the exchange rate), there are internal concerns for us, from the general lack of flatlock stitching to the minuscule zipper garage and a finishing quality that falls short of the competition here – evidenced by a noticeable lip between pad and fabric. A shame, as the grippers are excellent, the pockets are sizeable and we like the visuals. trimtex.eu
YONDA OMBRE
£139 Hailed as a premier long-distance suit, the Ombre’s breathable fabric offers full flexibility throughout the shoulders, with ribbed sleeves enhancing speed through both air and water. The neckline sits close to the skin without being restrictive and the wide leg grippers prevent excess movement. The chamois offers comfort and support, though the rear pockets are on the small side. The suit offers UV40 protection, although the coloured segments do become transparent when stretching into the TT position, not helped by the suit’s tightness around the hips and thighs. Yonda advise due to the compressive fabric you should size up but, even using their height and weight guide, their sizing was a mystery. yondasports.com
TRI-FIT EVO
£179 The male version of the Evo scored highly in 2020 and it’s easy to see why. Wide leg grippers and a split-suit design offers flexibility. The premium fabrics, while not as compressive as some, provide flexibility throughout all disciplines and the underarm ventilation offers cooling. ‘Aero fabric’ on the arms, shoulder and back helps you slip through the air. Pocket space is plentiful via the dual aero pockets on the rear, while a pocket on either leg gives easy access storage for several gels, making it perfect for all-day events. The chamois here is a disappointment but the test model is a prototype and we’ve been assured that the final version is equipped with an identical pad to the male version that received a rave review. tri-fitathletic.com
ZOOT ELITE FZ RACESUIT
£295 Part of Zoot’s new Elite range, this suit sets the standard in performance and comfort. The compressive fabric claims to increase circulation and muscular support. In practice the light and breathable fabric provides gentle core support while retaining complete flexibility. Taller athletes are accommodated with the splitsuit design, and the ribbed ‘Highway Aero’ arms and chest panels reduce drag. The chamois pad offers excellent shock absorption and particular comfort in the TT position. A trio of rear pockets delivers plentiful storage and easy access. The premium Italian fabrics offer UV50+ sun protection and, although we’d like a splash of colour, this is a tri-suit that performs on every level. zootsports.co.uk