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Best tri suit for men

How do you choose the right tri suit for you when there are many so many tri suits for men available? Read our buyer’s guide to see a breakdown of the top suits on the market right now at various price points.

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What is the best tri suit for men?

If you want to buy a tri suit it can be difficult to choose the right one. There are so many options available and it can be hard to know where to start. To help find the best tri suit for you, we have outlined a variety of tri suits for men at different price points. Whether you are looking for an entry-level or a high-end suit, we can help you make the right choice.

What is a tri suit?

A tri suit is a garment specifically designed for use in triathlons. The lightweight fabric allows it to dry quickly after the swim. There is a chamois pad to keep you comfortable on the bike, however this is thin enough to prevent discomfort during the run. Wearing a tri suit means you will be able to complete a triathlon without having to change during the race.

Best tri suit for men

Why you should wear a tri suit

If you are a beginner, you can easily complete a triathlon without a tri suit. However, a tri suit offers numerous benefits over alternative pieces of kit. Firstly, it will save you time and effort during transition, as you won’t have to change your kit between disciplines. Additionally, tri suits are designed for speed so you will be more aerodynamic and able to move faster for the same effort. Furthermore, you will be more comfortable during the race as the suit dries quickly and is designed to prevent any chafing.

What types of tri suit are there?

There are a few different types of tri suit that you can choose between. We will just be looking at the best one-piece tri suits for men, but many of the suits are also available in a two-piece with separate shorts and top.

One-piece or two-piece

Some triathletes prefer a two-piece suit as it can be less restricting and makes bathroom breaks easier. However, we generally recommend one-piece tri suits as they are more aerodynamic, cause less chafing, and offer more compression.

Sleeved or sleeveless

Tri suits are also available in short-sleeved or sleeveless designs. Short-sleeved tri suits have become more popular recently as they offer more sun protection and are more aerodynamic. In contrast, sleeveless tri suits can be more flexible around the shoulders and allow you to stay cool more easily.

What to consider when buying a tri suit

Design

Choosing the best tri suit for you can be difficult as there are many factors to consider. Firstly, you should decide whether you want a one-piece or two-piece suit, and whether you want the suit to have sleeves.

Price

You should also determine what your budget is. Tri suits can range from around $100 to over $300 so it’s good to know how much you are willing to spend. A tri suit is the only piece of kit you wear for the entire race so it’s worth investing in a quality suit.

Features

Other factors to consider are the number of pockets, the type of fabric, and the length of the zipper. These will be down to personal preference or the length of race you are competing in. For example, for a longer race you may want a suit with more pockets. Alternatively, for a race in hot conditions you may want a full-length zip.

Best Tri Suits For Men

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NamePrice bandBest forSleevesPockets
Roka Gen II Elite$$$$High-performanceSleeved/Sleeveless2
Synergy Race$$Entry-levelSleeveless2
Orca Athlex$$ValueSleeved/Sleeveless2
Castelli Free Sanremo 2$$$Mid-rangeSleeved/Sleeveless2/4
De Soto Forza Flisuit$$$$Long racesSleeved/Sleeveless5
Sparx Tri Suit$BudgetSleeveless2
Louis Garneau Sprint$$Hot conditionsSleeveless2
2XU Light Speed$$$AerodynamicsSleeved/Sleeveless2

Roka Gen II Elite Aero Tri Suit

Best high-performance tri suit for men

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Material

This suit uses a blend of fabrics to provide the optimal balance of aerodynamics and comfort. The mesh panel on the back uses Coldblack treated fabric to keep you cool throughout the race. The fabric also provides UPF 30+ protection from the sun. Be careful when applying sun cream as the white fabric can be stained.

Fit

Roka carry a large range of sizes including tall sizing so you should be able to find a perfect fit for you. They use a tight compression fit so go up a size if you are unsure. The long zip at the front allows for easy toilet breaks and good ventilation. The legs and arms are both laser cut to prevent the fabric from riding up.

Sleeves

Roka offer both sleeved and sleeveless versions of this high-quality tri suit. The sleeveless uses ‘comfort finish’ arm openings to minimize chafing. The sleeved has longer sleeves than many other suits and uses a new aerodynamic construction.

Pockets

Two stretch pockets are designed to be easy to access while cycling. However, they are not very deep so energy gels may fall out.

Price

At just over $300 tri suits don't get more expensive than this. However for that price you are getting an extremely high-quality suit that will almost certainly improve your race time.

Roka Mens Tri Suit Sleeved
Best high-end tri suit

Top Features

  • Mesh Coldblack fabric
  • Compression material
  • Laser-cut finish

Synergy Race Tri Suit

Best entry-level tri suit for men

Buy here

Material

Synergy have made this tri suit with a breathable fabric to prevent you from overheating during intense exercise. It is also water-repellent, which will help you to swim faster in a non-wetsuit swim. Synergy also offer a wide range of colour options, something that many other brands do not do.

Fit

Silicone leg grippers help to keep the legs from riding up, which can be a frustrating issue to deal with during a race. There is also a modesty panel in the shorts to make you more comfortable. A ¾ length zip helps you to stay cool, although it is not designed to make bathroom breaks easier.

Sleeves

The Race Tri Suit is sleeveless and comes with large armholes to allow maximum range of motion and prevent chafing. If you are after a suit with sleeves, the Synergy Elite tri suit for men offers this and more premium fabrics for a slightly higher price.

Pockets

Two mesh pockets on the back of the suit should be enough storage for most triathlon races, however some customers do complain about the pockets being too small.

Price

At around $150 this makes a great choice for any triathletes who are buying their first tri suit. You can certainly spend less on a tri suit but if you plan on racing multiple triathlons it is worth investing in a high-quality garment.

Top Features

  • Water-repellent & breathable fabric
  • Modesty panel
  • Large arm holes

Orca Athlex Tri Suit

Best value tri suit

Buy here

Material

The Orca Athlex is designed to maximise both comfort and aerodynamics. The high-quality Italian fabrics are made from recycled nylon and are built to handle wear and tear. Vapour-cool technology helps your sweat to evaporate more quickly and provides compression to ease muscle fatigue.

Fit

The Italian chamois is 4mm thick and provides plenty of comfort on the bike. Elastic grips on the legs help to keep the suit in place, further increasing the comfort level.

Sleeves

This suit comes in both sleeved and sleeveless versions. The sleeved suit is more aerodynamic and offers protection from the sun, however the sleeveless will allow greater flexibility and keep you cooler.

Pockets

Two rear pockets are aerodynamic and offer ample storage for your triathlon nutrition.

Price

For a high-quality suit, the Orca Athlex is reasonably priced. It is cheaper than many other similar tri suits and makes a great value choice for a mid-level tri suit. The build quality means you can be confident it will last for many seasons.

Orca Athlex Tri Suit Sleeveless
Orca Athlex Tri Suit Sleeved

Top Features

  • Vapour-cool fabric
  • High-quality chamois
  • Elastic leg grippers

Castelli Free Sanremo 2 Tri Suit

Best mid-range tri suit for men

Buy here

Material

Castelli have made some upgrades to their previous Sanremo tri suit for men, with a high-quality fabric that is aerodynamic and breathable. It also blocks UV rays, which is essential for longer races in hot weather. Castelli have used their knowledge of cycling kit to create a seat pad that is comfortable on the bike but doesn’t cause irritation on the run.

Fit

The front opening makes bending over the bike more comfortable and allows for easy bathroom breaks. A full-length zip can also help with staying cool during the run. Leg grippers stop the suit from riding up to maintain your aerodynamic advantage. As with most Castelli products, the sizing does run small so you may need to go for a larger size than usual. The fit should feel tight but not too restricting.

Sleeves

Castelli make this tri suit in both short-sleeved and sleeveless versions so you can choose based on your preference.

Pockets

The short-sleeved suit has two aerodynamic pockets on the back that are deep enough to store plenty of food. The sleeveless version also provides two small pockets on the hip for use during the run.

Price

For just over $200 you are getting a high-quality tri suit that offers a range of features designed to make you faster and more comfortable. The Castelli Free Sanremo 2 is certainly a great tri suit for men.

Best tri suit for men
CastelliSanRemo2-2

Top Features

  • High-quality fabric with UPF protection
  • Full-length zip
  • Aerodynamic pockets

De Soto Forza Flisuit

Best tri suit for long distances

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Material

This is the only tri suit on the market that comes with a hidden fly just above the pad, making bathroom breaks much easier. It also works well in hot conditions, with Skin Cooler fabric that actually cools down the moisture on your skin rather than helping it evaporate.

Fit

De Soto use compression fabric in the legs, which they say delays muscle fatigue by 12%. The leg bands also use compression fabric to keep them in place without any tightness or squeezing. This is a tight fitting tri suit so you may want to size up if you are not used to that. The 16” front zip also allows for improved ventilation during the run.

Sleeves

De Soto offer this tri suit in sleeved and sleeveless designs. Thanks to the fabric the sleeved version actually keeps you cooler and provides sun protection.

Pockets

The Forza Flisuit has an impressive 5 pockets so should be ample for your storage needs. There are 3 across the back and one on each leg, with the back center pocket being larger than the other two.

Price

The De Soto Forza Flisuit is one of the best tri suits on the market. Customers love the striking design, cooling effect, and the hidden fly. It has a range of advanced features that will help make your race faster and more comfortable. For that reason, it comes with a big price tag. This is a suit for a triathlete who has a large budget and wants to compete at the top end of races.

Best high-end tri suit
De Soto Flisuit Sleeveless

Top Features

  • Hidden fly
  • Skin Cooler fabric
  • Compression material
  • 5 pockets
  • Unique design

Sparx Tri Suit

Best budget tri suit

Buy here

Material

Italian fabric helps to wick away moisture and dries quickly to keep you cool and comfortable. The mesh panel on the back and a long 14" zipper help to prevent overheating. It is also durable so won't wear out after just a few races.

Fit

The suit uses a tight compression fit so you may need a larger size than usual. The compression may feel uncomfortable at first but it can help to reduce muscle fatigue. The 3mm Italian chamois should provide enough comfort on the bike.

Sleeves

This suit is only available as a sleeveless design, which allows for maximum flexibility in the shoulders.

Pockets

There are two pockets on the back but they are quite small

Price

This tri suit is a great choice if you're on a tight budget. It has everything you need to comfortably race a triathlon without breaking the bank. There are also numerous color options to suit every taste.

Top Features

  • Compression material
  • Multiple color options
  • Budget friendly

Louis Garneau Sprint Tri Suit

Best tri suit for hot conditions

Buy here

Material

The Sprint Tri Suit is designed for racing in hot conditions. Ultra light fabric dries quickly and improves breathability. The mesh fabric is dimpled to prevent overheating from moisture build up. It is also chlorine resistant and has a UPF 50 rating to protect your skin from sun damage.

Fit

The chamois is designed with more padding in the front area, which makes it more comfortable when riding in an aerodynamic position. The suit uses a compression fit to help reduce muscle fatigue. A full-length zip allows you to stay cool during the run.

Sleeves

To help keep you cool, this tri suit comes in a sleeveless design. The armholes are big enough to prevent chafing and are laser finished to improve aerodynamics.

Pockets

There are two angled pockets on the back of the suit to help store your nutrition. The elastic openings prevent anything from falling out mid-race.

Price

If you have entered a race in a hot country then this is the tri suit for you. The light fabric is excellent at wicking moisture away and protects your skin from the sun. It sits at the mid-range price point so won’t break the bank, despite having a range of advanced features.

Louis Garneau Sprint Tri Suit
LG Sprint Tri Suit Back

Top Features

  • Ultra light mesh fabric
  • Full-length zip
  • Compression fit

2XU Light Speed Tri Suit

Best tri suit for long-distance races

Buy here

Material

This tri suit is ideally suited to long races in hot conditions. The fabric is designed for maximum cooling and ventilation, with Coldblack technology reducing the absorption of heat rays. A mesh structure through the upper body improves aerodynamics, helping you to travel faster for no extra effort.

Fit

This suit uses compression fabric on the legs to help reduce muscle fatigue. This is especially useful in longer races, due to the build up of lactic acid after hours of racing. However, it can take some time to get used to the tight feel of compression material. The full-length zip makes toilet breaks easier and allows you to cool down quickly. An Italian designed chamois provides great support on the bike, even in the aero position.

Sleeves

2XU offer this suit in both sleeveless and sleeved versions. Go for sleeves if you want more sun protection and an aerodynamic advantage. If you prefer maximum flexibility around the shoulders then opt for the sleeveless suit.

Pockets

There are two pockets on the back of the suit that are easy to access. They are smaller than pockets on cycling jerseys but should be large enough to fit your race nutrition.

Price

This is another tri suit for men around the $200 range. It is hard to beat if you are looking for a compression tri suit that will keep you comfortable during long-distance races.

Best tri suit for long-distances
2XU Light Speed Tri Suit

Top Features

  • Compression material
  • Coldblack fabric
  • Full-length zip

What Tri Suit should you buy?

NamePrice bandBest forSleevesPockets
Roka Gen II Elite$$$$High-performanceSleeved/Sleeveless2
Synergy Race$$Entry-levelSleeveless2
Orca Athlex$$ValueSleeved/Sleeveless2
Castelli Free Sanremo 2$$$Mid-rangeSleeved/Sleeveless2/4
De Soto Forza Flisuit$$$$Long racesSleeved/Sleeveless5
Sparx Tri Suit$BudgetSleeveless2
Louis Garneau Sprint$$Hot conditionsSleeveless2
2XU Light Speed$$$AerodynamicsSleeved/Sleeveless2

Hopefully this article has helped you to choose the best tri suit for you. As the only piece of kit you wear for the entire triathlon, making the right buying decision is very important. Once you have decided on your preferred design, you need to work out what your budget is.

If you are new to triathlon then the Synergy Race or Sparx tri suits make excellent choices. If you are looking for a quality suit, the Castelli Sanremo 2 and Orca Athlex are a great step up from entry-level suits. For high-end tri suits, the De Soto Riviera and Roka Gen II Elite are both excellent choices.

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