The Best Triathlon Suits for 2024

The best triathlon suits don’t just look good on your body – they help you feel good and perform at your best. Cutting-edge technology for today’s triathlon suits has created a bumper crop of quick-drying, hydrodynamic and aerodynamic clothing for athletes to wear on race day. But innovation comes at a cost, and deciding which triathlon suit is the best for you and your race-day needs can be a pricey endeavor.

But never fear – we’re here to help. Our editors put the top triathlon suits of 2024 through extensive swim-bike-run testing to give you the details you need to feel confident in your tri-suit shopping process.

With so many features, functions, and strengths and weaknesses, we’ve put together a guide with the best triathlon suits for the 2024 season to help you find that intersection between price and bells and whistles that’ll help you answer that important question: How much suit do you actually need?

Looking for more guidance before you get started? Check out our explainer on buying a tri kit: How to Choose the Perfect Tri Suit

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 kit” websites, our testers actually train and race in the clothes ourselves—no glancing at spec sheets and rewording marketing terms! Here’s more on how we test gear.

Best Triathlon Suits of 2024

Synergy Race Tri Sleeveless Singlet/Shorts

Singlet, $80 at Synergy
Shorts, $60 at Synergy

Warranty: None

Try-on: 30 days unused

It’s no surprise that a $140 tri race kit would earn top marks for value, but it is surprising how many mid- to high-end features are built into the Synergy Race Tri shorts and Elite singlet combo. While the singlet isn’t the most breathable or a top pick for super-hot events, the combo is good for most temperatures. The 3/4-zip singlet fits on the roomier side, as do the six-panel shorts—thanks in part to the fact that the bottom’s fabric is not overly compressive compared to other suits. That said, a 2mm fleece-covered gel pad is plenty comfortable on the bike, and only a little big on the run, and a lack of leg grippers could be a blessing or a curse, depending on your preferences. My buying advice: Grab a pair (or two) of the shorts—which we’d give five stars alone—and use the money saved to shop around for a top with better pockets/aerodynamic features.

-Chris Foster, Editor-in-Chief

Zoot Believe Ltd Tri Racerback and Short

Singlet, $110 at Zoot
Short, $110 at Zoot

Warranty: 2 years

Try-on: 30 days unused

The “Believe” line is long-time tri outfitter Zoot’s collaboration with pro Holly Lawrence, with bright, fun ombre designs (pink for women, blue for men) selected to stand out in a sea of black and white tri kits. The construction of the suit itself is familiar to those who have worn Zoot before: four-way stretch fabric, a dropped back hem on the singlet to avoid lower-back sunburns, and a slim, lightweight foam chamois with just enough cushioning for rides of any length. Four pockets (two on the lower back of the singlet and one on each hip for the shorts) provides ample storage for long rides and runs, and the fabric is durable enough that you feel comfortable washing and wearing it every week, not just on race day. Though the design isn’t going to win any aero awards, there’s a reason Zoot kits have been a triathlon mainstay for over 40 years – they work hard, play hard, and look good.

-Susan Lacke, Senior Editor

Wyn Tri Classics Sleeveless Race Suit

$220 at Wyn Republic

Warranty: 12 months

Try-on: 30 days unused

Wyn’s Tri Classics race suit is another example of getting a ton of bang for your buck. Typically you’d be hard pressed to find a one-piece/two-piece convertible-style tri suit for this price, but being able to completely unzip the top is more than just a novel feature—it can be a dealbreaker for those used to the convenience/adaptability of a two-piece suit. Elsewhere the Classics suit boasts seamless silicone leg grippers, a very thin/lightweight chamois, and a snug fit, per size, without a ton of leg compression. Most notably, this suit has one large “floating” rear pocket that only attaches to the suit at the top and sides—with “aero” access from either side. This allows you to wear the suit in a non-wetsuit swim with minimal drag penalties and lets you fill the storage with stuff without pulling the suit tight as it hits capacity. Oddly enough, Wyn does not offer a sleeved version of this suit anywhere near the Classics’ $220 price point.

-CF

Roka Elite Aero II Sleeveless

$305 at Roka

Warranty: 2 years

Try-on: 30 days unused

The latest edition of Roka’s Elite Aero suit takes the wind tunnel-tested favorite and adds more functions for race-day performance and comfort. Upgrades to the Elite Aero II include laser-cut leg openings with lightly-applied silicone grippers to keep the shorts firmly in place, an expanded mesh panel in the back for both cooling and aerodynamics, UPF 30+ Coldblack fabric, and dual lower-back stretch pockets with side openings for better hydrodynamic performance. Every inch of the suit is stretchy, from top to bottom, but the fabric still maintains its compression, especially in the carbon knit front panel, designed to provide core support. We also appreciate the availability of tall sizing, which makes this one-piece suit much more accessible to different body types. But the on-your-skin fit of this one-piece tri suit does make pit stops a bit of a struggle, especially if you’re a heavy sweater. Be sure to include a few potty breaks in your race rehearsal sessions so you’re not wrestling in a port-o-john on the big day.

-SL

BornBound Skärvatten Long Distance Suit

$350 at BornBound

Warranty: Lifetime

Try-on: 30 days unused

Though not cheap, relative newcomer to the tri scene, BornBound, has entered the market with a very lightweight tri suit with a host of features built into some very comfortable and breathable fabric. This suit performed very well in hot and humid conditions, wicking moisture quickly and consistently on the bike and run. I loved the compression of the top and bottom and never experienced any bloodflow issues—despite my larger-than-proportionate legs. Like other convertible one-piece suits, being able to completely zip off the top helped with pit stops and breathability on the run, and while I liked the idea behind the silicone grippers beneath the pad, if your aero position is particularly hips-rotated-forward, they won’t be all that effective. Finally, while the pad performed well in the bike and run in practice, the pad itself had an odd extra amount of unsewn fabric on the inside, which felt unfinished, and has the potential to lead to dangerous chafing on extra-long events. Also: It’s worth noting that BornBound has an insane lifetime warranty on its tri products—something that literally doesn’t exist elsewhere.

-CF

Swiss Side Aero Tri Suit

$400 at Swiss Side

Warranty: 2 years

Try-on: 14 days unused

Designed to be aerodynamically optimized, there’s no denying the details of the Swiss Side Aero Tri Suit are fast, from the second-skin fit to the patterned “channels” to funnel air over the body as efficiently as possible. A white paper published on aerodynamic tests of the suit compared to other popular tri suits on the market claims it was the top performer at 35 km/hr and 45 km/hr (22 mph and 28 mph), which sounds mighty impressive – until you actually wear the suit in a real-world setting. There, you realize any aero time savings on the bike are negated by fumbling with the suit itself. Interior pockets, located inside the front zipper, require an extra step of unzipping to reach fuel. The front zipper does not unzip all the way for bathroom breaks, and when the zipper is pulled up, it only stays closed about 50% of the time. Too many textures on the shoulders and arms means too many seams, and chafing was a recurring issue, especially on ocean swims and runs of 2 hours or more. Though the tri suit certainly is aerodynamic, it seems to only be designed for one leg of a triathlon, not all three.

-SL

Varlo Genesis Pro Element Tri Race Suit

$400 at Varlo Sports

Warranty: 90 days

Try-on: 30 days unused

As one of the most expensive suits on our 2024 tri suit roundup, expectations were high—style- and fit-wise, Varlo’s Genesis Pro Element suit hits top marks, but the fabric was surprisingly slightly less “heat-friendly” than some others. However, features like an extra-wide band of silicone leg grippers, chafe-free seams, and a unique zipper flap on the convertible one-piece top are all big pluses. Particularly the latter design detail might indicate a suit that’s ideal for colder or medium-temperature races. And while we can’t objectively verify aero features, like the “HEX AIR 112 GSM sleeves,” we can assume they don’t make the suit slower, and are likely a boon for athletes looking for an extra edge on the bike.

-CF

Looking for more tri suit reviews? Check out our reviews of tri suits from Betty Designs, Spaero, Castelli, Tres Pinas and more in The Best Tri Suits for 2023.