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Best tri suit for beginners

How do you choose the best tri suit for a beginners? Read our buyer’s guide to see a breakdown of the top suits on the market right now at various price points.

(This post contains affiliate links. For more information see our disclosure here).

What is a tri suit?

A tri suit, or triathlon suit, is a garment specifically designed for both beginners and experienced triathletes. You can wear a tri suit for a whole race so you won’t need to change clothes between triathlon disciplines. The lightweight fabric dries quickly after the swim, and a thin chamois pad makes sitting on the bike more comfortable without being a nuisance during the run. 

Best tri suit for beginners

Do I need to wear a tri suit?

You do not need to wear a tri suit to compete in a triathlon. However, you will be faster and more comfortable if you do wear one. It will be more aerodynamic than other kit and is designed to cope with the demands of triathlon racing.

What types of tri suit are there?

One-piece vs two-piece

Most brands sell their tri suits either as a one-piece suit or as a separate top and shorts. Most experienced triathletes will wear a one-piece tri suit as they are more aerodynamic, cause less chafing, and offer more compression. However, some people prefer a two-piece because it feels less restrictive and makes bathroom breaks easier.

Sleeved vs sleeveless

In the past all tri suits were sleeveless, however more recently there has been a trend towards short-sleeved tri suits. The sleeves can improve aerodynamics and offer more protection from the sun. On the other hand, a sleeveless suit may feel more flexible around the shoulders and allow you to stay cool.

How to choose the best tri suit for beginners

Design

Before you start looking to buy a tri suit you need to know what style you prefer. Will you go for a one-piece or a two-piece? Do you prefer a short-sleeved top or a sleeveless one?

Features

Different suits will come with different features. These can include the type of fabric, the length of the zipper, or the number of pockets. Some tri suits for women also come with a built-in sports bra. The choice of features will depend on your personal preference and the length of race you will be doing.

Price

The price of tri suits can vary from $50 to over $300. If you are a beginner, you will most likely want to stay near the lower end of the scale. You don’t want to spend hundreds on a suit that you only wear once. However, if you expect to race triathlons regularly, it is worth investing in a high-quality tri suit. It is one of the most important pieces of kit for a triathlete as you will wear it for the entire race.

Best Tri Suit for beginners

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Best budget tri suit for beginners

Runderwear Run Breeze

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Design

This is a sleeveless one-piece tri suit with no other variations. There is also just one color choice available. This helps to make it affordable whilst still retaining all the key features you need from a tri suit.

Features

The fabric is quick-drying, chlorine-proof, and offers UV protection. The ¾ length front zip gives you some extra breathability, whilst silicone leg grippers prevent the suit from riding up. It also comes with two rear pockets to store any food you need for the race.

Price

For less than $50 this tri suit is a great choice for anyone on a budget. You won’t find a cheaper suit than this on the market. It doesn’t match the quality of more expensive suits but if you don’t want to break the bank then it makes an excellent purchase.

Similar product

The Sundried tri suit sits at a similar price level and offers many of the same features. It doesn’t come with pockets, however you may not need these in a short race. Sundried also have more experience with designing triathlon apparel than Runderwear.

Top Features

  • Affordable
  • Chlorine proof
  • UV Protection

Best mid-range tri suit for beginners

Synergy Tri Suit

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Design

This sleeveless one-piece tri suit comes in a wide variety of color options so you are sure to find one that suits you well. Synergy do make a short-sleeved version but it is slightly more expensive.

Features

The fabric is breathable and water-repellent, which makes the suit faster in the water. The suit also has silicone leg grippers, a modesty panel, and a ¾ length zip. There are two pockets on the back but they are both relatively small.

Price

At around $100 this suit represents excellent value for beginner triathletes who want to invest in a quality suit. It is designed well and will keep you comfortable during the race.

Similar product

SLS3 make a similarly priced tri suit with many of the same features. They also have numerous color options to suit your preference.

Best mid-range tri suit for beginners
Best mid-range tri suit for beginners

Top Features

  • Breathable
  • Water repellent
  • Great value

Best high-end tri suit for beginners

Roka Gen II Elite Aero

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Design

Roka make this tri suit in sleeveless and short-sleeved versions. They also sell separate shorts and top (sleeveless or sleeved) if you prefer a two-piece suit. There is also a wide range of sizes.

Features

The Italian fabric is aerodynamic and keeps you comfortable in all temperatures. The front zip can be fully unzipped to keep you cool and make bathroom breaks easier. The fit is compressive to reduce muscle fatigue, and two rear pockets are designed to be easily accessible whilst cycling.

Price

If you have around $300 to spend then this is the best tri suit on the market. Every aspect of the suit has been carefully considered to maximize performance. It may be excessive for a beginner triathlete, but if your budget allows for it then you won’t regret buying this high-quality tri suit.

Similar product

For a slightly lower price the Castelli San Remo 2 offers a similar experience. It also features with aerodynamic fabric, a full-length zip, and comes in sleeveless and short-sleeved versions.

Best high end tri suit
Best high end tri suit

Top Features

  • Compression material
  • Aerodynamic fabric
  • Full-length zip
  • Variety of designs and sizes

What Tri Suit should you buy?

Hopefully this article has given you some ideas for where to start in looking for the best tri suit for beginners. There are so many options out there that it can be confusing to figure out what you need.

If you are brand new to triathlon and are not sure if you’ll keep it up, the budget suits make a great choice. They give you the best chance of enjoying the race without putting too much strain on your wallet.

For a little more money the mid-range suits will be made from higher-quality materials. They can also offer some features that the budget suits lack. This can help make your race more comfortable and makes a better long-term choice.

If budget is no issue or you want to invest in quality then the high-end suits make a great choice. They make the most of all the technology available to help you complete your triathlon faster and more comfortably.

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