The Best Triathlon Swimsuits for Men and Women

First things first: if you came to this article on the best triathlon swimsuits looking for a snazzy one-piece outfit thats look like a pair of bike shorts and a closer-fitting jersey all in one, that’s actually called a triathlon suit, or tri kit. We have a roundup of the best triathlon suits tested and reviewed (and we update it annually with new products to keep you in the know).

But if you’re looking for training wear to hit the pool or open water while keeping some miles off your tri suit (a wise idea, especially when it comes to chlorine), you’re in the right place.

The best triathlon swimsuits are designed to allow for full range of motion, go the distance without chafing, and are super durable to hit the pool, lake, or ocean time and time again. They don’t fade in the sun, wear out in the laundry, or stretch so thin you get uncomfortable glances at Masters practice.

But the search for a good triathlon swimsuit can be a costly affair until you find the right one – that’s why our editors tested men’s and women’s swimsuits from leading triathlon manufacturers to help you find the ideal fit and style.

Triathlon swimsuit review criteria, explained

Best women’s triathlon swimsuits

If you’re new to the sport and contemplating whether you need to buy a tri suit, know that you can do a sprint triathlon in a traditional swimsuit with a sports bra underneath (and we’ve gone through the pains of testing leading sports bras for triathlon for their performance even after getting wet). It’s a style even the pros wear – just watch an Olympic Games triathlon or World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) race, and you’ll see plenty of the top short-course women racing in swimsuits.

This is a great option for athletes who aren’t ready to invest in a tri suit yet. Triathlon does not have to be expensive – don’t be ashamed to show up wearing your swimsuit and pull on a pair of bike shorts or athletic shorts if that makes you more comfortable on the bike and run. (Just be sure to test your chosen race wear during training to make sure the combination is comfortable for you.)

In training and in racing, these are our picks for the best women’s triathlon swimsuits.

Zoot Women’s Ltd Swimsuit

$80, Zoot

Known for its colorful designs, Zoot offers a variety of styles, patterns, and colors in its triathlon swimsuits. The cut is moderate, offering a good mix of performance and comfort.

The Y-back avoids any interference with your shoulder blades for ideal comfort. The slightly higher neckline streams through the water with ease, without falling down or needing repositioning between swim sets or when you triumphantly come out of the water after completing the first leg of a triathlon.

The suit is sturdy enough to withstand many training sessions, even in chlorine, without losing the vibrant colors synonymous with the Zoot brand.

Blueseventy Podium Racerback

$70, Blueseventy

From tropical to standard black, the Blueseventy Podium Racerback comes in a variety of patterns to meet your style. If you want a little less fabric on your back, go with the open-back format.

The suit is cut a little higher in the legs than the Zoot suit, but is still a moderate cut. One area our testers noted was that the chest area extends a bit to wide as it nears the armpits, making the suit rub a little.

Athena athletes will appreciate the Athena Podium, designed with slightly thicker straps for added support and lower hip coverage to ensure you aren’t pulling it down on your backside constantly. We tested both models side-by-side and found the Athena version to be a nice full-coverage suit.

Tri-Fit Propel Reversible Swimsuit

$83, Tri-Fit

Shorter ladies will find this swimsuit ideal for less wiggle and tug. But if you’re taller, you might find the swimsuit pulls more on your shoulders than you’d like.

Of the one-piece triathlon swimsuits for women on this list, this is the one with the highest hip cut. The back is also less coverage compared to the other one-piece swimsuits, which can mean less drag and potential chaffing. It’s also something new swimmers might take some time to get used to.

The pink or purple reversible designs are feminine. And the bright pink is practical for greater visibility in open water, which we’d like to see more of from all manufacturers.

Orca Core Bikini

$40, Orca

A more affordable option for a triathlon swimsuit is the Orca Core Bikini, which could also serve as race wear for shorter distances on small- to medium-chested women. This comes down to comfort and how much bounce you’re used to with your existing running bras. Thanks to a compressive fit and under-bust band that one-piece swimsuits don’t have, the Orca Core Bikini top feels like a medium support running bra, even when wet.

Pull on bike shorts or athletic shorts if that makes you more comfortable during the bike and run, and rock your first sprint or super sprint triathlon. For longer distances, it’s best to go with a tri suit or swimsuit with a more supportive sports bra underneath. But if you won’t be out there long and have tried running in this suit, you’ll be happy with the minimal investment as you dip your toes into the sport.

If you plan to only use this suit for swim training, consider sizing up, as the compression could make this suit feel snug. While the suit is comfortable for long open-water sessions, we’re pining for a bright-colored design for greater visibility in the water.

Best men’s triathlon briefs and jammers

There’s a big difference between a decent pair of jammers or briefs and a truly great set for swimming. A great triathlon swimsuit can feel like new running shoes, giving you that extra motivation to get in the pool because you know they’re comfortable, fast, and (arguably most importantly) good-looking. Whether you’re swimming laps at the pool, hitting open water, or even just lounging at the beach, a great pair is worth it for every triathlete.

As with women, some men do race in their triathlon swimsuits by adding a shirt or tri top – even some pros. 2016 70.3 world champion Tim Reed was so famous for this, his retirement activities have included creating a line of swimwear with the cheekiest name in the sport: Budgy Smuggler.

In pursuit of your next triathlon, here’s our roundup of the best streamlined, snug, and durable briefs and jammers.

Zoot Men’s Ltd Swim Brief

$45, Zoot

Over the course of training and racing in triathlons, our editors have tested countless swim briefs, and Zoot tends to rise to the top as a favorite. The brand has created a fast-feeling brief with all-day wearability – you could even go for a run in it if you needed to. The fit is exactly right: it sits low and snug on the leg without creeping up or causing tightness or discomfort, and high enough on the hip to cover everything well without feeling excessive. It was hardly noticeable when swimming under a wetsuit for some open-water swims.

The material is soft and comfortable, it feels extremely hydrodynamic, and the design options are spot-on (although we could maybe do without the bright Zoot logo on the back). Likewise, the jammer version is just as impressive in its longer format, although not as compressive as others.

Orca Core Jammer Men’s Swimsuit

$55, Orca

Out of all the options on this list, this one is likely the most compressive, performance-driven choice – the one to grab when you want to feel fastest in the water.

The material is highly water-repellent, which you’ll notice in how quickly it dries, and it feels that way in the water, too. Despite the firm compression, the waistband and leg openings stay comfortable, and the crotch area isn’t too restrictive, unlike other performance options we’ve tested before. The only drawback would be the interesting rear liner, which isn’t sewn in completely to the jammer itself and must be adjusted correctly before swimming. The leg length is a bit shorter in comparison to most, but still reaches far enough toward the knee.

A bonus for the Orca Jammer:  it’s made from 80% recycled materials and is built to withstand harsh pool chemicals like chlorine, highlighting its effort to be durable and sustainable.

Blueseventy Podium Brief

$40, BlueSeventy

In contrast to the Zoot brief, Blueseventy’s swimsuit uses the same fabric inside and out, and feels noticeably softer overall, making it extremely comfortable – definitely an all-day piece of swimwear. However, it did feel a touch slower in the water as it seemed to hold more water and tended to loosen up more during the swim.

The elastic around the openings at the hip is a bit more pronounced than the other options, but it does aid in keeping everything firmly in place. The shape itself is more of a competitive style, sitting low on the hips and high on the leg, although this was never an issue in practice.

A nice bonus: like the Orca Jammer, these briefs are made from recycled materials and are double-lined in both the front and back – something not every swimsuit offers, which adds to their durability.

Tri-Fit Propel Jammer

$83, Tri-Fit

Despite being one of the pricier options on the list, the Tri-Fit jammer is the least-flashy pair in our roundup. But that’s exactly what makes it the best everyday option.

This pair fits snugly against your legs as you swim, feeling like a second skin, yet it stays flexible enough that you hardly notice it’s there. The silicone grippers at the hips and leg openings are noticeable, but you’ll be thankful for them, with hardly any bunching up of the fabric. It makes you wonder why every swimwear doesn’t incorporate them.

However, this option felt less hydrophobic than some of the other options, drying more slowly and feeling slightly denser in the water.

At the same time, like some of the other options, this one is made with eco-friendly materials and is also resistant to sunscreen chemicals and oils, which reinforces that it felt like the most durable, long-lasting pair we tested – thankfully, considering the price.

One last small note: the drawstring on these is quite long, so no matter how much your waist size changes, you’ll have plenty left to tighten things up.