Triathlon bikes that look more like rocket ships than bicycles. Ultra-lightweight carbon-plated super shoes which practically do the leg work for you. And now, increasingly technical tri suits designed to make every watt count. Triathlon tech and apparel has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, as times get faster and the margins between glory and disappointment get tighter. But can your choice of tri suit really make a difference to your triathlon bike split?
After recently launching our most advanced tri suits yet, we dive into the tech behind aero tri suits and how it works. Plus, the other important features to look for when searching for the fastest tri suit to make sure you’re not saving time on the bike only to cost yourself time elsewhere in the race.
Aero tri suit features explained: why textured sleeves help you ride faster
One of the main features you’ll find on aerodynamic tri suits is textured sleeve fabric. Which might seem counterproductive: after all, if the ultimate aim is to be more streamlined surely smoother is faster? It all comes down to how air flows over your body as you ride. The shape of your arms and shoulders naturally disrupt the air flow, breaking the boundary layer which creates a ‘wake’ and pressure drag. Textured fabrics work a little bit like a golf ball – head to your local putting green and you’ll note that golf balls have a dimpled surface which is designed to help them fly through the air further. Using textured fabrics on the sleeves of tri suits, such as dimples or aero stripes, creates a controlled turbulent boundary layer on the surface of the fabric in these high drag areas which reduces the size of the wake and therefore reduces drag. Essentially, by deliberately creating a little bit of air turbulence we create a tiny layer of air directly over the sleeves of the tri suit which allows air to flow more smoothly around your upper body.
Does aero sleeve fabric on a tri suit actually improve your bike split?
Aerodynamics in cycling is all about reducing drag. And that’s because the less drag you, your bike and your kit is creating – the less force is required just to make forward progress. So by reducing drag wherever possible, you’ll go that bit faster for every watt of power you push through the pedals. Precisely how much time you’ll potentially save by upgrading your tri suit will depend on a wide range of factors, including your riding position, how aero your previous suit was, the distance you’re racing and the race course (on a flat course aerodynamics are more of a factor compared to on a hilly course, for example). But based on some top level modelling on Best Bike Split using average bike split times on the IRONMAN Kona course it could add up to several minutes over the course of a 180km ride – without having to ride any harder. No brainer!
Why not use textured fabric all over a tri suit?
So, if textured sleeve fabric is that much faster – why aren’t we covering the entire tri suit in stripes, ribs and dimples? Again, it comes down to how air flows around the body. Where the shape of your arms and shoulders disrupt the flow, other areas such as your back and hips already promote a smoother air flow – so silky smooth fabric in these areas is much more beneficial.
How should an aero tri suit fit?
In addition to choosing a tri suit with strategically placed materials to optimise for aerodynamics, it’s important to get the right fit. An aero tri suit should be close-fitting: excess fabric will wrinkle and create extra drag. The exact opposite effect to what you’re after in a fast tri suit. But it’s also important that your tri suit isn’t too tight. The material shouldn’t be pulling at the seams or rippling around the zip, and you should be able to comfortably lift your arms above your head. When trying on your new suit, make sure it’s comfortable leaning forward into your riding position, as well as standing up right. Find that goldilocks sweet spot of tight, but not too tight (we create our tri suits with 4-way stretch for this precise reason) and you’ll have a tri suit which is fast and comfortable!
Tri suit vs cycling skin suit – what’s the difference?
Tri suits and cycling skin suits might look almost identical at a glance: close-fitting, all-in-one super hero suits designed with aerodynamic performance in mind. However, a cycling skin suit is designed specifically for time trialling. That means it’s solely here to perform on the bike, and generally used for shorter efforts lasting 60 minutes or less. Comfort is less of a focus, as is breathability. Tri suits on the other hand, are designed to be versatile across three different sports. Hydrophobic, fast-drying materials for the swim. Seam construction which allows enough freedom of movement for swimming and running as well as cycling. Breathability for a long day on the race course. And a low-profile chamois pad that won’t absorb too much water or feel bulky on the run. While there’s no rule that says you can’t wear a cycling skin suit for a triathlon (as long as it hasn’t got long sleeves if the swim is non-wetsuit) it’s likely you’ll be far more comfortable and able to perform if you choose a tri suit instead.
Beyond aerodynamics: other features to look for to get the fastest most efficient tri suit
A fast tri suit isn’t just about aerodynamics. It’s no good having a super aero suit if you can’t move properly in it or it makes you overheat. Here are the key considerations to make sure your aero tri suit isn’t going to save you time on the bike, but cost you time elsewhere:
- Breathability. This is a big one, because heat has a significant impact on your ability to perform. Ensure your aero tri suit of choice has been designed to offer enough breathability so your body can regulate your core temperature. Otherwise you’ll be cooked before you even get to T2.
- Comfort. A triathlon is hard enough without inflicting unnecessary discomfort on yourself! It might sound insignificant, but chafe or saddle sores can quickly derail your race – so make sure your suit is comfortable, as well as fast.
- Function and practicality. The best aero tri suits keep in mind that you’ve got a long day of self-supported swim, bike and run ahead of you. There are no team cars or domestiques handing you nutrition in a triathlon! Which means you need pockets so you can fuel your effort.
Find your perfect tri suit
Of course, you can get the best tri suit in the world – but you’ve still got to do the training. We’re not quite at the stage where your race suit can do all the hard work for you! But once you’ve got the training in the bag, the nutrition dialled and your race strategy locked in – upgrading to a faster tri suit could just be the secret sauce to help you unlock a personal best performance.