The best tri suits from sprint to Ironman
A tri suit is worn for the whole race: under your wetsuit for the swim, then on the bike and the run, with no changing in transition. A good one dries quickly, has a thin pad you can run in, and stays comfortable in all three positions.
How we choose: each pick starts from our finder’s ranking for the brief shown, and we check it makes sense for the job. We haven’t tested these products ourselves. Some links are affiliate links, and commission never affects the picks. About affiliate links
Quick picks
| Best for | Model | Reference price | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best tri suit for a first race | ZONE3 Activate+ Short Sleeve Trisuit | £149 | Zone3 |
| Best for sprint and Olympic distance | ZONE3 Activate+ Sleeveless Trisuit | £139 | Zone3 |
| Best tri suit overall | Tri-Fit Evo Next Gen Tri Suit | £195 | Tri-Fit |
| Best premium race suit | ZONE3 Aeroforce-X II Short Sleeve Trisuit | £349 | Zone3 |
Best tri suit for a first race
ZONE3 Activate+ Short Sleeve Trisuit
The brief: First sprint triathlon, comfort and simplicity.
A comfortable short-sleeved suit from triathlon specialist Zone3, rated the best tri suit for sprint and Olympic distance by 220 Triathlon. It’s simple to race in and comfortable through transitions. Check sizing carefully.
Designed for: Balanced comfort and aero use
Try the suit in swim, bike and run positions; confirm pad comfort.
Best for sprint and Olympic distance
ZONE3 Activate+ Sleeveless Trisuit
The brief: Some race experience, short-course racing, comfort through transitions.
A sleeveless suit for short-course racing that stays comfortable through transitions.
Designed for: Short-course and longer transition comfort
Try the suit in swim, bike and run positions; confirm pad comfort.
Best tri suit overall
Tri-Fit Evo Next Gen Tri Suit
The brief: Any distance up to 70.3, wants the best all-round suit.
220 Triathlon’s best tri suit overall: comfortable, fast and sleeved, with a supportive pad that works from sprint to long course. For hot-weather racing, Tri-Fit’s Vortex was rated best.
Designed for: Comfortable, fast sleeved tri suit with a supportive pad, rated the best tri suit overall
Check the size chart: tri suits are close-fitting.
Not quite your brief?
Answer a few questions and the finder will pick the best model for your exact sport, experience, priorities and budget, plus two alternatives.
How to choose
One-piece or two-piece
One-piece suits are more aerodynamic and can’t ride up. Two-piece suits (shorts and top) are easier for toilet stops and let you mix sizes. Both are fine for a first race.
Sleeves or sleeveless
Sleeved suits are faster on the bike and protect your shoulders from the sun. Sleeveless suits can be easier to swim in under a wetsuit and feel cooler. Check your event’s rules too.
The pad
A tri suit pad is much thinner than a cycling-short pad so you can swim and run in it. For long-course events, a slightly thicker pad is worth having. Never wear separate cycling shorts underneath.
Fit
A tri suit should be snug without restricting breathing. Try it in a cycling position, and if you’ll wear it under a wetsuit, check for rubbing around the neck and arms.
Questions people ask
Do I need a tri suit for my first triathlon?
No, but it makes things simpler. Without one you can wear swimwear and add shorts and a top in transition. A tri suit saves time and is more comfortable on the bike and run.
Can I wear a tri suit under a wetsuit?
Yes, that’s what they’re designed for. Put the tri suit on first, then the wetsuit over it.
How should a tri suit fit?
Close-fitting, like a second skin, with no loose fabric to flap in the wind. If you’re between sizes, check the brand’s chart and consider your torso length.
How we pick
Every pick starts from the EVENT/READY finder’s ranking for the brief shown. Products only qualify if we’ve opened and checked a UK retailer page for that exact model. We only include products that independent testers rated highly, and the best-rated rank highest, but we don’t reproduce anyone’s reviews here. We then check each result makes sense for the job. Prices are dated reference prices, not live prices. Read our full approach.