The best wetsuits offer a balance of flexibility, buoyancy, and durability. Investing in a good one is paramount if you’re going to be attempting triathlons.
You will lose body heat very quickly in the water, so even in warmer conditions, a lightweight wetsuit may be required to prevent you from cooling off too much. They’re not just for the swimming stage, but set you up for what comes after, and can be good choices for other sport that involves open-water swimming too.
Triathlon-specific wetsuits need to have a snug fit without being baggy, yet be stretchy around the joints to allow for all the movements that come with swimming strokes. Suits for beginners can incorporate buoyancy panels into their fabric, but you can avoid these if you prefer a particular position in the water.
Best triathlon wetsuits at a glance
- Best overall: Sumarpo Vanguard Men's Eco Triathlon Wetsuit - £426, Sumapro
- Best for shorter swims: Van Rysel SD Neoprene - £119.99, Decathlon
- Best for warmer waters: Orca Vitalis Shorty - £135.50, Amazon
- Best for freedom of movement: Raceskin RS01 - £250, Raceskin
- Best for longer distances: Blueseventy Reaction - £430.99, Swim Inn
- Best for good value: Orca Athlex Float V2 - £249.95, Amazon
- Best for being seen in: Huub Aegis X - £331.99, Huub
- Best for cold waters: Deboer Norseman 3.0 - £1,068, Deboer
Consider your budget, swimming ability, and water conditions when choosing. Sleeved wetsuits offer more warmth and buoyancy, while sleeveless options prioritise flexibility and breathability.
You can get them in different thicknesses of neoprene, often represented by two numbers: the first is the thickness of the torso material, and the second is for the arms and legs, all measured in millimetres.
Thicker material is more durable and warmer, but also less flexible - look for 5mm for winter in the UK (plus extras like gloves), 2.5mm for summer.
Here are some of the best - shop now
Sumarpo Vanguard Men's Eco Triathlon Wetsuit
Best: overall
The Vanguard wetsuit is made from a range of different neoprene thicknesses, with thin 1.5mm coverings on the arms to keep them freer for swimming strokes. The chest is 5mm, and there's extra buoyancy built in through the use of Aeroatom material. This helps to optimise your body position in the water, while hidden internal zips and a super-smooth Slip Skin layer make the suit easy to put on and take off.
Sizes are available for men up to 6ft 7in tall, and women’s sizes are available up to 6ft 2in. The suit has brightly coloured logos and flashes that contrast against the black neoprene for extra visibility in the water. It’s an expensive suit, but worth the investment if you’re serious about triathlon.
Buy now £426.00, Sumarpo
Van Rysel SD Neoprene
Best for: shorter swims
The SD here stands for ‘short distance’, and this is an entry-level suit aimed at those attempting the shorter triathlon distances.
Available for both men and women, this suit has a shorter cut than others and an inverted zip for easy removal once the swimming is over. This suit is all about ease of movement, with 2mm neoprene in the arms and 4mm on the legs. There's a protection flap at the neck to help reduce chafing, and the shorter legs make it easier to get on and off.
This thin material, along with the front and back Glideskin panels, means it’s not the most buoyant suit, or the most suitable for cold water, but it’s a flexible design that lends itself to multiple swimming strokes.
Buy now £119.99, Decathlon
Orca Vitalis Shorty
Best for: warmer waters
This shorty wetsuit is aimed at swimmers rather than surfers or divers, so it’s perfect for triathlons and open-water swimming - though it can also be used for a range of other water sports.
The benefit of a shorty is in the lighter weight and greater freedom of movement offered by having less material, but you don’t get nearly as much protection against the cold, or things like UV and sand. A suit like this is easy to get on and off, as well as folding down to a more compact size if you need to take it with you. Orca’s Vitalis has orange high-vis panels under the arms, which become visible as your arms move while swimming, and is available for both men and women.
The suit’s Infinity Skin 2 lining helps prevent water from flowing into the gap between skin and suit that keeps you warm, while a Smoothskin surface finish cuts down on friction to make swimming strokes easier.
Buy now £135.50, Amazon
Raceskin RS01
Best for: freedom of movement
With 5mm buoyancy panels and 1.5mm neoprene on the arms, the RS01 is a great choice for men and women who want to race at their best.
The thin material on the arms offers exceptional freedom of movement (though the manufacturer advises against hanging it up on a coathanger to avoid damaging it), and flatlock seams stay flat against the skin. Over the top, a low-friction SCS coating helps to reduce drag.
Getting in and out is made easier by a zip that runs up the back from the bottom, which may be trickier to manage than a chest zip - whether you prefer this depends on personal taste, but it’s worth getting someone to check it’s completely done up before you step into the water.
Buy now £250.00, Raceskin
Blueseventy Reaction
Best for: longer distances
There's a lot that stands out about the Reaction wetsuit.
There are colourful highlights on the back so you can be spotted more easily, and a low neckline that helps breathing and reduces chafing while still keeping the cold water out. Shoulders made from one piece of 1.5mm neoprene bring increased flexibility, and there's the same thickness under the arms so you won’t be fighting the suit as much while swimming.
Materials are thin across the whole suit - they help you to get in and out more easily as well as providing extra movement - but there are panels up to 5mm thick in the chest and upper legs to aid buoyancy. It’s an ideal suit for long swims in waters that aren’t too cold.
Buy now £430.99, Trade Inn
Athlex Float V2 Men Triathlon Wetsuit
Best for: good value
This entry-level buoyant wetsuit has 4.5mm thick neoprene in the legs and lower back to help with buoyancy, but slims down to 2mm in the arms so that they’re not restricted as you swim.
It’s an attempt to find a balance between flexibility and buoyancy, and largely succeeds as an all-rounder for both men and women, helping swimmers to achieve a better position in the water.
The suit is largely black, with some red around the arms, and may be tricky to spot in the water as a result, while a hydrodynamic coating helps reduce water resistance, potentially increasing your speed.
Buy now £249.95, Amazon
Huub Aegis X Wetsuit
Best for: being seen in
With its red shoulders and white lines, there's something of Spider-man about the Huub Aegis X.
It’s at home in the water with supportive buoyancy, and a soft lining to aid getting changed. The company’s X-O Skeleton design to aid both fit and positioning, so this suit is both supportive and stretchy, allowing you unrestricted movement while swimming.
It’s a fine all-rounder, and with the red panels will be easy to pick out for spectators on the shore.
Buy now £331.99, Swim Inn
Deboer Norseman 3.0
Best for: cold waters
It may be expensive, but if you’re swimming in the frozen north (or south) then a wetsuit like this could make the difference between finishing the race or not. You’ll need some extra accessories if you’re going anywhere really cold (the suit itself is rated for use down to 10°C, or 6°C with a hood, gloves and socks) but the thermal lining and 5mm buoyancy panels will help you keep on swimming, and zips around the wrists and ankles keep the water out while helping to make donning and removing the suit easier.
Buy now £1068.00, Deboer
Verdict
A wetsuit is an essential piece of kit for a triathlon. Wearing one really can keep you warmer and help make you faster. It’s a protective layer against the water, the sun, and anything that might scrape your skin.
And as transition times count toward your overall time, being able to switch between your wetsuit and cycling or running gear quickly can knock precious seconds off, which means a suit like the Sumarpo Vanguard Eco and others on this list can help save a lot of awkward hopping about by having linings and cuff designs that allow them to slip on and off more easily.
