At T3 Endurance Sports, we know that preparing for a triathlon involves countless hours of training, dedication, and finding the right gear to support you through every leg of the race. One of the most essential pieces of that gear is your tri suit.
But not all tri suits are the same, and certain ones are ideal for certain race lengths. In this guide, we’ll break down what to know about women’s tri suits and how to pick the best ones for all race distances.
What Is a Women's Tri Suit?
A triathlon suit, or tri suit, is a special piece of apparel to wear for all three segments of a triathlon: swimming, cycling, and running. The primary purpose of a tri suit is to eliminate the need to change clothes between disciplines, saving you precious time in transition.
Choosing the right tri suit is crucial for your race day experience. A well-fitting suit reduces drag in the water, provides necessary padding for the bike ride without being bulky on the run, and prevents chafing. It should feel like a second skin, moving with your body and supporting your muscles.
One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Tri Suits
When selecting a tri suit, you'll encounter two main styles: one-piece and two-piece. A one-piece suit is a single garment, like a wrestling singlet or a swimsuit with shorts. This style provides hydrodynamic properties, creating a smooth profile that cuts through the water with minimal drag.
A two-piece tri suit consists of a separate top and shorts. This design offers greater versatility and can be more convenient for longer races. A two-piece suit might offer a better fit for athletes with different proportions between their torso and lower body. While it may not be as aerodynamic as a one-piece, modern designs minimize gapping and drag, making it a popular choice for many endurance athletes.
Key Factors When Choosing a Tri Suit
Finding the perfect tri suit involves considering several important features that directly impact your race day experience. The fit, the material, and the design are all key factors when selecting women’s triathlon wear.
Fit and Comfort
A tri suit that is too loose can create drag in the water and bunch up on the bike and run, causing discomfort. Conversely, a suit that is too tight can restrict your movement and breathing. A well-fitted suit will feel snug against your body without being constrictive, offering compression to support your muscles.
This proper fit helps reduce muscle fatigue and enhances performance across all three disciplines. It's also vital to select a suit that prevents chafing, especially during longer events where repetitive motions can cause skin irritation.
Material and Breathability
Tri suits contain advanced technical fabrics for performance. Look for materials that are lightweight, quick-drying, and offer excellent moisture-wicking properties. These fabrics pull sweat away from your skin, helping to keep you cool and dry.
Breathability is another key aspect, as it allows heat to escape, regulating your body temperature during intense effort. Many high-end suits also incorporate fabrics with UPF protection to shield you from the sun's harmful rays.
Chamois Quality and Design
The chamois, or padded insert in the shorts, is a key comfort factor during the cycling portion of the race. Unlike the thick padding found in traditional cycling shorts, a triathlon chamois is thinner and more streamlined. This design provides sufficient cushioning on the bike without feeling like a diaper during the swim and run.
The quality and design of the chamois can vary, with some being better for short sprints and others offering more substantial padding for long hours in the saddle. A women-specific chamois will make a world of difference.
Storage and Pockets
During a race, triathletes may need to carry nutrition like gels, bars, and electrolytes. Your tri suit should have accessible pockets for storage. The placement and design of these pockets are important for convenience and aerodynamics.
Most suits feature pockets on the lower back, which keep them out of the way while still being easy to reach. For longer distances, you might need more storage, so look for suits with multiple pockets or larger storage compartments.
Top Tri Suits for Sprint and Olympic Distances
Now that you better understand what to look for in women’s tri suits, we can look at the best options for all distances. First, we’ll look at tri suits for sprint and Olympic triathlon distances.
Orca Athlex Aero Race Suit
The Orca Athlex Aero is all about speed. It uses Aero-fit fabric on the sleeves and back to reduce drag on the bike. The Vapor-cool technology helps to cool your body, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly. It features a 4mm Italian-made Tri-Tech chamois that offers great comfort on the bike while remaining low-profile for the run.
Zoot LTD Tri Aero Full Zip Racesuit
Zoot is a legendary brand in triathlon gear, and their LTD Tri Aero Racesuit lives up to the name. This suit features an aerodynamic design with textured fabric on the arms to reduce drag. The full-zip front provides excellent ventilation control. The chamois is specifically for aggressive riding positions, and the suit offers ample pocket storage.
ROKA Gen II Elite Aero Short Sleeve Tri Suit
ROKA is a leader in performance triathlon gear, and the Gen II Elite Aero suit is a prime example. It boasts premium Italian fabrics that are highly aerodynamic and compressive. ROKA designed the suit to fit like a second skin on triathletes, and its "no-sew" leg grippers prevent the dreaded sausage leg.
Best Tri Suits for Half and Full Ironman Distances
Certain tri suits are best for longer distance triathlons, like half and full Ironman races. If you’re competing in an Ironman triathlon, consider tri suits from Castelli, Zone3, and 2XU.
Castelli PR 2 W Speed Suit
Castelli brings its cycling expertise to the triathlon world with the PR 2 W Speed Suit. This suit prioritizes long-distance comfort and aerodynamic efficiency. The fabrics are lightweight and cooling, and the full-zip front allows for easy ventilation. The Kiss Tri chamois provides plush comfort for hours on the bike but disappears on the run.
Zone3 Lava Long Distance Tri Suit
The Zone3 Lava suit is an excellent tri suit for endurance competitions. It uses premium fabrics that offer a balanced combination of comfort, compression, and breathability. The "Iron Performance" chamois is one of the best for long-distance comfort. With large, easy-access pockets, the Lava is a trusted companion for Ironman athletes.
2XU Light Speed Front Zip Tri Suit
2XU is a leader in compression technology, and the Light Speed tri suit brings its expertise to long-course racing. The suit uses Muscle Containment Stamping to reduce muscle oscillation and fatigue. The Pro LD Chamois offers ample cushioning for the bike, and the suit's fabrics are highly breathable and manage moisture effectively.
Find Your Perfect Race Day Companion
Choosing the right women's tri suit is a personal decision that depends on your race distance, body shape, and personal preferences. By considering factors like fit, material, chamois, and storage, you can find a suit that will support you from start to finish. We hope this guide helps you feel confident as you select the perfect suit for your next triathlon adventure.