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Spring 2021 Triathlete Buyer’s Guide: Men’s Wetsuits

Check out our 2021 men's wetsuit buyer's guide for a wide range of reviewer-tested neoprene for triathletes of all levels.

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xterra vortex men's wetsuit

XTERRA Vortex | $500

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Basics

This high-end wetsuit can tackle the training and racing needs for all levels of triathletes—novices and veterans can find common ground in its features.

Pros

  • Better than average buoyancy, flexibility, and warmth
  • Super durable and interior comfort that should last with usage

Cons

  • Warmer than other high-end models, but not ideal in frigid conditions
  • A smaller chest can cause water entry at the neckline
Orca men's wetsuit

ORCA 3.8 | $600

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Basics

A high-end race-focused model with a lot of technological features to help developing swimmers gain an edge.

Pros

  • Outstanding buoyancy coupled with superior warmth
  • Targeted to swimmers that need increased buoyancy but works for a wide audience
  • Ease of swim gait while in a stabilized and neutral body position
  • Shoulders move well, even with extra buoyancy
  • Small changes/improvements from prior versions

Cons

  • Concerns with repeated use and wear-and-tear
  • Mild rigidity in the torso (from “core lateral stabilizers”); purest swimmers will be critical
  • The high-elbow panel is more useful to inexperienced swimmers

Read the extended review here

Roka men's sleeveless wetsuit

Roka Maverick Pro II Sleeveless | $400

Rating: ★ ★ ★

Basics

A premium sleeveless wetsuit that’s the second generation in the Maverick Pro series. Use definitely depends on conditions.

Pros

  • Lots of freedom to float high and fast
  • Probably the best balance of buoyancy and rotation
  • Well-fitted in the chest—no water flooding the interior (a common sleeveless issue)
  • High-quality neoprene translates to inner liner comfort and speedy transitions

Cons

  • Save it for the summer or move to the tropics
  • Very very snug around the neck
  • Try a size up, or let the recommended size loosen with use
Colting wetsuit with muscle panels

Colting T04 | $780

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Basics

A premium race model from a Swedish brand with roots in tri and swimrun.

Pros

  • Ultra-flexibility and comfort
  • Geared for the top-dog professional triathlete or pure swimmers

Cons

  • Fast yet very fragile—best for the seasoned triathlete who knows their way in transition
  • Despite the Viking origins, not over-the-top warm
  • Don’t expect a major buoyancy assist
Man in yellow-green and black Zoot Wikiwiki 2.0 wetsuit

Zoot Wikiwiki 2.0 | $800

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Basics

An all-in super premium wetsuit with some features that may look low-key, but are in fact huge leaps forward in neoprene tech. Though geared slightly toward a more experienced swimmer—buoyancy wise—this is still not a fragile suit.

Pros

  • Most flexible shoulders of any wetsuit tested
  • Super tight wrists prevent water entry
  • Surprisingly warm arms despite .3mm neoprene
  • Balanced flotation
  • Surprisingly durable neoprene for this flexibility

Cons

  • The price
  • Decent buoyancy in legs, but more balanced than a very poor swimmer might want
Ark Uto swimrun wetsuit

ARK Utö Swimrun Suit | $590

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Basics

By far the lightest swimrun suit we’ve tested, with a lower half that feels more like a tri race suit than a wetsuit. A performance-focused suit, the Utö is best for warmer swimrun events where you’ll be moving quickly and heating up.

Pros

  • Comfortable lightweight lower half for running
  • Removable arm sleeves for warm races
  • Great leak protection
  • Excellent durability on lower half for events with rock scrambling

Cons

  • High price for swimrun
  • The lightweight lower half is an issue in very cold water
  • Despite two pockets in back, not as much storage as many swimrun suits
  • Incredibly snug to put on, but great when in use

Video: 4X World Champion Mirinda Carfrae Makes Her Picks for 70.3 Chattanooga

Carfrae and former pro Patrick Mckeon break down the iconic course in Chattanooga, who looks good for the pro women's race, and their predictions for how the day will play out.