Smart Triathlete

Best tri suit for women

How do you choose the right tri suit for you in 2023? Read our buyer’s guide to see a breakdown of the top suits on the market right now.

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What is the best tri suit for women?

There is no single best tri suit for women. A particular tri suit can be a perfect fit for one person, but cause chafing for someone else. You may prefer a suit with compression fabric or many pockets. Our goal is to help you understand what factors to consider when making your buying decision. In this guide, we will be looking at seven of the best tri suits on the market right now.

What is a tri suit?

A tri suit is a piece of clothing specifically designed for triathlon racing. You can wear it for the entire race so you don’t have to waste time changing your kit between disciplines. It dries quickly after the swim and has padding to make the bike more comfortable. The pad is quite thin to ensure it doesn’t get in the way during the run. If you are swimming in cold open water, the tri suit is worn underneath a wetsuit.

Do I need a tri suit?

A tri suit is not essential to complete a triathlon. You can start with a swimming costume, then pull on a top and shorts for the bike and run legs. However, a tri suit will dramatically reduce the time spent in transition. It is also more comfortable and practical and so will improve your triathlon experience. For more information on what to wear for a triathlon check out our essential kit guide.

One-piece or two-piece?

Tri suits can come in a one-piece garment or a two-piece with separate top and bottoms. Both styles have pros and cons so it is up to you to decide which suits you best.

Two-piece

Allows for different sizes for top and bottoms
Bathroom breaks are easier
Can feel cooler as heat can escape through the midriff
Less restrictive as the fabric isn’t pulling as much
Can train while wearing just one of the pieces

One-piece

This post will just be looking at the best women’s one-piece tri suits. For more information about two-piece suits, check out our tri shorts buyer’s guide (coming soon).

What to consider when buying a tri suit

Material

A tri suit should be lightweight and breathable, but should also protect you from the sun. During a race, you can spend a long time in direct sunlight so look for a suit with a high UPF rating (these help block harmful ultraviolet rays).

Fit

A tri suit should have a close fit but not feel too tight or restrictive. A suit that is too big can cause more drag in the water, while a suit that is too small can cause chafing and make it difficult to breathe.

Sleeved or sleeveless

This choice comes down to personal preference. A tri suit with sleeves offers more protection from the sun and can be more aerodynamic on the bike. It can also prevent chafing around the shoulders and armpits. Sleeveless tri suits are more flexible around the shoulders, which can make swimming easier. They also allow you to cool down more easily as the arms and armpits are not covered.

Pockets

Most tri suits come with pockets on the back but not all. These are important for keeping food in to fuel you for the whole race, although this may not be necessary for shorter races. You want to avoid pockets that are too big as they can cause unnecessary drag on the swim or bike legs.

Support

Some tri suits come with a built-in bra, others with a separate bra, and others with no bra at all. Generally, a built-in bra will not offer as much support and can make the suit more difficult to take off. If the tri suit has no bra, you can wear your own sports bra underneath.

Price

This largely comes down to how much you are willing to spend. It is one of the most important pieces of kit, so it’s worth investing in a good one. You have to wear it for the entire race after all. However, once you go above a certain price range, the benefits are mostly aerodynamic gains. If speed is not your main goal, go for the most comfortable suit for you.

Best Tri Suit For Women

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Name	Best for	Price band	Sleeves	Pockets
Roka Gen II Elite Aero	High-performance	$$$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2
TYR Competitor	Value	$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2/1
Orca Athlex	Hot conditions	$$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2
Sundried Performance	Budget	$	Sleeveless	0
De Soto Riviera Flisuit	Long races	$$$$	Sleeved	3
Castelli San Remo 2	Aerodynamics	$$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2
Louis Garneau Sprint	Entry-level	$$	Sleeveless	2

Roka Gen II Elite Aero Tri Suit

Best high-performance tri suit

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 by it.

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 between sizes. 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.

Support

The compression fit of this suit means that no bra is provided. You can wear your own sports bra if the suit does not give you enough support.

Price

At just under $300, this is one of the most expensive tri suits out there. For that money, you get an extremely high-quality suit that is suitable for all triathlon distances from sprint to Ironman.

Pros

Cons

TYR Competitor Tri Suit

Best value tri suit

Material

The fabric uses specialized compression webbing for increased blood flow recovery and durability. It also provides UPF 50+ protection so you won’t have to worry about getting sunburned through the suit.

Fit

A free finish leg grip is designed to stay in place but can be too tight for some people. An ‘amp pad’ chamois provides extra comfort when bent over in the aero position. There is an 11” front zip that can cause chafing for some people.

Sleeves

TYR offer both sleeved and sleeveless versions of this tri suit, you will pay around $15 extra for the sleeved suit.

Pockets

The sleeveless suit comes with a single zip pocket on the back. This is very secure but is also small; you will not be able to fit more than one energy gel inside. The sleeved version offers two standard pockets that are also small.

Support

The suit doesn’t come with a bra but TYR do sell a matching bra. If you have a larger bust you will need to wear your own sports bra.

Price

At just over $100 this tri suit offers incredible value. You won't find compression fabric in any cheaper suits, although the fit can cause issues for some people.

Pros

Cons

Orca Athlex Race Suit

Best tri suit for hot conditions

Material

This tri suit is designed for maximum aerodynamics and breathability. It uses aero fabric on the shoulders, arms, and back, whilst Vapour-cool techonology on the torso and legs allows sweat to evaporate quickly.

Fit

This suit provides compression whilst still being flexible, allowing for a perfect fit and unrestricted swimming. The 4mm Italian-made chamois provides plenty of comfort and dries quickly. It also comes with a full-length front zip.

Sleeves

Orca offer both sleeved and sleeveless options, so you can choose whichever you prefer. The sleeved option is slightly more expensive but is more aerodynamic.

Pockets

Two back pockets offer plenty of storage for your race-day nutrition.

Support

There is no bra provided with the suit, however Orca do sell a sports bra designed for this tri suit.

Price

The sleeveless version is $180, while the sleeved ‘aero’ version costs $200. A great choice for the triathlete looking to finish their race faster and more comfortably.

Pros

Cons

Sundried Performance Tri Suit

Best budget tri suit

Material

The suit uses Italian fabrics that are fast-drying and chlorine resistant, so you can practice with it in the pool without degrading the quality. It is soft against the skin to keep you comfortable for the whole race.

Fit

A thicker material than other tri suits makes it easy to pull on and off. A long zipper on the back also helps with this and doesn’t restrict your breathing.

Sleeves

The sleeveless design of this tri suit allows for total freedom of movement during the swim. It is designed for shorter race distances so sun protection is not as important.

Pockets

Unlike the other suits on this list, this suit does not have any pockets. This can help with the fit of the suit but you will not be able to carry any nutrition with you.

Support

There is no bra provided and the material is not very compressive so you may want to wear your own sports bra underneath.

Price

At just $45 this suit is a great entry-level suit for beginners to triathlon. It is a great quality for the price and is far cheaper than many other tri suits.

(Image credit: Sundried)

Pros

Cons

De Soto Riviera "Sneak-A-Poo" Flisuit

Best tri suit for long races

Material

Skin Cooler fabric provides sun protection and creates a cooling sensation when wet, making this suit a great choice for hot conditions. The long front zipper also helps to keep you cool. A 6mm chamois provides plenty of comfort on the bike, even for longer races.

Fit

The standout feature of this suit is the rear zipper that makes toilet breaks quick and easy. The zipper has been specially designed with an interior comfort lining to eliminate any chafing. It is also designed to make re-zipping effortless. The leg inseam is longer than usual which prevents the need for 'squeezy' grippers.

Sleeves

The suit is only available in a short-sleeved model, with the Skin Cooler fabric helping to protect your shoulders and keep you cool.

Pockets

This tri suit features three pockets, one on the back and one on the outside of each leg. The leg pockets make reaching for your nutrition on the bike much easier.

Support

De Soto do not provide a bra with the suit as they say every woman will have their own preferred bra. However, they do sell tri-specific sports bras if you need one.

Price

At just under $300 this suit is certainly not cheap. However, the unique features and high-quality materials justify this price. If you are entering long races in hot conditions, you won't find a more suitable tri suit.

Pros

Cons

Castelli San Remo 2 Tri Suit

Best tri suit for aerodynamics

Material

This suit has the Rosso Corsa label which is only applied to Castelli’s highest quality products. The mesh fabric on the back provides great breathability whilst still blocking 94% of UV rays. The main body and elbow-length sleeves are built for optimum aerodynamics.

Fit

Castelli use a very tight fit for their suits so you may need to go for a larger size than usual. A full-length zip can be undone all the way to aid air flow. The specially designed Kiss Tri seat pad is supportive but doesn't cause irritation during the run.

Sleeves

As with most other brands, Castelli offer this tri suit in a short sleeve or sleeveless version.

Pockets

There are two pockets on the back of the suit. They are quite tight, so you may not be able to fit too much in, but the contents won't bounce around at all on the run.

Support

There is no bra support included with this tri suit, so if you prefer to race with a bra you will need to wear your own.

Price

At $240 this suit is more expensive than many alternatives. However, it is outstanding quality and makes a great choice for triathletes with a high budget.

Pros

Cons

Louis Garneau Sprint Tri Suit

Best entry-level tri suit

Material

Endurexx fabric is chlorine resistant for longevity and has UPF 50 protection to protect your skin. Mesh panels on the back and sides also help to keep you cool by preventing moisture build-up. The women's-specific chamois is quick-drying and comfortable on the bike.

Fit

This suit uses a standard fit rather than a slim fit, so doesn't feel uncomfortably tight. However, the stretch fabric is still able to provide compression to reduce muscle fatigue. Silicone grippers on the leg openings help to keep the suit in place.

Sleeves

Louis Garneau only make this tri suit in a sleeveless model, which makes it more affordable. It is also more suitable for shorter races or for people who prefer more shoulder freedom.

Pockets

Two angled back pockets on the back make accessing your nutrition easier, whilst elastic openings prevent anything from falling out mid-race.

Support

There is no bra provided with this suit. This allows you to use your own sports bra or race without a bra, depending on your chest size.

Price

At $160 this suit makes a great choice for a triathlete who wants to invest in a quality tri suit without breaking the bank. It has all the features you need for an entry-level suit.

Pros

Cons

What Tri Suit should you buy?

Name	Best for	Price band	Sleeves	Pockets
Roka Gen II Elite Aero	High-performance	$$$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2
TYR Competitor	Value	$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2/1
Orca Athlex	Hot conditions	$$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2
Sundried Performance	Budget	$	Sleeveless	0
De Soto Riviera Flisuit	Long races	$$$$	Sleeved	3
Castelli San Remo 2	Aerodynamics	$$$	Sleeved/Sleeveless	2
Louis Garneau Sprint	Entry-level	$$	Sleeveless	2

The tri suits discussed here are all high quality pieces of kit. Hopefully the side by side comparison has helped you to decide which is the best women’s tri suit for you.

If you are looking for a cheap tri suit for your first sprint triathlon, the Sundried Performance suit is perfect. If you have a little more money to spend, the Louis Garneau Sprint or Orca Athlex make excellent upgrades. Or, if you want the best suit regardless of price, look no further than the Roka Gen II Elite Aero.

Ultimately, you will only know a tri suit is perfect when you try it in a race. To give yourself the highest chance of buying the right suit, decide which factors are most important to you and go for a suit that ticks all your boxes.

Email: contact@smarttriathlete.com