Best Women’s Triathlon Wetsuits of 2023

Former pro triathlete and super swimmer/coach Sara McLarty tests eight of the best women’s triathlon wetsuits so far this year.

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Looking for the best triathlon wetsuits for women? We tested eight so you can make an informed purchase. (Photo: Triathlete)

The wetsuit market is (finally) making a steady shift to acknowledge that a wider range of body types are competing in triathlon. This includes offering as many—and sometimes more—female wetsuit sizes compared to the men’s line of the same brand and style. This means that even as wetsuit technology gets better, it’s now also easier for female triathletes to find the right size, and the best women’s triathlon wetsuit for their unique body type.

Ladies: Spend time doing research and looking at all the options when shopping for a wetsuit. Whether it’s a first-time purchase, a replacement, or an upgrade, do some homework rather than making an impulse buy from a sale email that lands in your inbox. Like a bike, the wetsuit is a significantly large financial purchase. It’s also another item that can improve or affect your race day performance. And as far as a list of bells and whistles go, the most important thing when trying to find the best women’s wetsuit for you will always be the fit—no matter the price.

To get that fit just right, I recommend looking around at the races (or race videos and photos) to see what wetsuits are being worn by other female participants. Specifically, look for other athletes with a similar body type to you. Ask your similarly shaped friends and teammates for recommendations and suggestions and request feedback on online forums and social media outlets. And finally, read below for our exclusive nine-point rating system based on real-life, hands-on testing.

Looking for more guidance before you get started? Check out our explainer on wetsuit buying: What Matters (And What Doesn’t) When Buying a Wetsuit

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While the gear below was loaned out by the brands represented, all choices were selected independently by the tester without any promotional consideration or brand input. Also, unlike other “best triathlon wetsuit” websites, our testers actually swim in the wetsuits ourselves—no glancing at spec sheets and rewording marketing terms.

Best Women’s Triathlon Wetsuits of 2023

Synergy Volution (sleeveless)

$200, synergywetsuits.com

Warranty: 1 year
Try-on: 30-day, new

All the Synergy suits we’ve tested have been surprisingly good for our female bodies…including this Volution sleeveless option. It’s the lowest end of the Synergy range but it still ticks all the boxes. Our testers reported that it’s great at forming to their body (both small and large chests) around the arms and preventing water from entering. But for just $80 more, you can upgrade to the Synergy Endorphin (sleeveless) that we’ve reviewed in the past which was surprisingly great! No matter what you choose, you still get a comfortable and streamlined sleeveless wetsuit that tops our lists.

The best female triathlon wetsuit for:

Ladies that get overly hot and want to keep their arms in the water.

Zone3 Aspect “Breaststroke” Wetsuit

$232, Zone3.com

Warranty: 1 year
Try-on: 28-day, new

Did you know there is no defined stroke for swimming in triathlons? If you have stayed away from triathlon or open-water swimming because you’re not comfortable putting your face or head in the water, this is your suit! The Aspect suit is specifically designed to allow the freedom to swim breaststroke (as well as freestyle). The wetsuit has stretchy neoprene in the crotch for the wider range of movement that makes breaststroke kicking much easier and thin neoprene on the legs that prevents the lower body from floating at the surface. The stretchy neoprene is also installed under the arms and down the entire back which made it much easier to stay in the head-up or head-dry body position. While the suit will revolutionize stroke options for those new to open-water swimming, it’s not the best choice for speed in (very limited flotation due to thin panels) or out of the water (tight wrists and ankles make for difficult removal).

The best female triathlon wetsuit for:

Anyone more comfortable with their head/face out of the water.

Blueseventy Sprint

$285, blueseventy.com

Warranty: 1 year
Try-on: 30-day, used

If you’ve never worn a wetsuit before, or if you’ve tried a sleeved wetsuit in the past and felt constricted…this is a great option to try again. It’s like a full-sleeved wetsuit with training wheels. The neoprene is uncoated under the arms which keeps you connected to the water and can reduce the claustrophobic feeling. The low price tag can help you feel confident that you’re not breaking the bank with this purchase, and you can even send it back to BlueSeventy AFTER you’ve tried it on! Having a wetsuit can open up so many open-water swimming opportunities that you might never try without one.

The best female triathlon wetsuit for:

First-time wetsuit-users that are nervous about wearing one.

Zerod ARCHI

$350, z3r0d.com

Warranty: 2 years
Try-on: 20 days, unused

The Archi wetsuit is chock full of buoyancy from toes to fingers. This is a great wetsuit choice for any ladies who struggle with flotation and horizontal body position. This is a common issue for slender and muscular bodies that lack natural buoyancy in the water. The inside of all Zerod wetsuits features MegaStretch, and our testers with both large and small chests found the fit comfortable with plenty of give and stretch in every direction. Even when swimming, the upper body had no problem conforming with every movement and never restricted breathing.

The best women’s triathlon wetsuit for:

Ladies looking for extra lower body flotation and a roomy upper body.

Xterra Vengeance

$350, xterrawetsuits.com

Warranty: 1 year
Try-on: 30-days, can be used

The Vengeance is a great choice for women of average height and stocky stature. It’s a capri-leg suit which fits comfortably out of the box without cutting inches off the bottom of a new purchase. Xterra also offers nine size options in the women’s suit so you’re less likely to fall “between” sizing and the fit will be more accurate. Our testers said it felt like a second skin in the water and gave plenty of space for curvy hips and chest.

The best female triathlon wetsuit for:

Shorter ladies looking for speed and comfort.

Rocket Science Real J&J

$450, rocketsciencesports.com

Warranty: 1 year
Try-on: 30-days, unused

This is a brand you might not see on many other racers, but don’t let that stop you from checking to see if it’s a good choice. Our testers reported that the overall fit of this suit favors a tall and lean build, without many curves. The suit still provides plenty of buoyancy but includes thinner/more flexible material at all the joints including the shoulder (normal) but also the knees (great for kicking and a speedy running to T1), and the inner thighs (additional stretch for alternative strokes in the water).

The best female triathlon wetsuit for:

Slender ladies will enjoy the sizing options and snug fit.

Sumarpo Vanguard

$530, sumarpo.com

Warranty: 2 years
Try-on: 30-day, new

This was a relatively unknown wetsuit for our testers, but it became a quick favorite in the water thanks to the abundant arm flexibility and ease of stroke movement. The Sumarpo company story is inspiring with eco-friendly product choices and production techniques. It’s a bit pricey for an unknown company, and the women’s sizing runs small (in height and weight), but swimming was a breeze once we had all that sorted out. The low and comfortable neck line was a favorite. It feels natural and doesn’t give the typical claustrophobic feeling, but it also manages to keep the right amount of water out of the suit.

The best women’s triathlon wetsuit for:

Eco-conscious ladies and those who are looking to try something new.

Zoot WikiWiki 3

$900, zootsports.com

Warranty: 2 year
Try-on: 30-day, unused

This is the latest top-of-the-line Zoot wetsuit, and it’s got all the bells and whistles for speed! While the super-thin .3mm neoprene does little to keep your arms warm in extreme temperatures, the flexibility in the shoulders is incredible. Testers felt like they didn’t even have sleeves on in the water. The hips are roomy and shaped with extra space for the female form. Sizing on the lower body is spot-on but can result in a roomy upper body, so this suit will fit anyone who might need more space in the chest best.

The best female triathlon wetsuit for:

Ladies who have a budget to spend on a bit of extra speed in the water and looking for a roomier torso.

More wetsuit resources

Looking for more resources as you shop for a new triathlon wetsuit? Check out these articles:

• The Best Triathlon Wetsuits of 2023
• Ask a Gear Guru: What’s The Best Tri Wetsuit for Beginners?
• How Much Faster Does a Wetsuit Make You?
• Ask A Gear Guru: Should I Wear A Sleeved or Sleeveless Wetsuit?