Hub, Triathlon
Triathlon suits are a separate category, SCS-coated for drag reduction, buoyancy-mapped for horizontal body position, and cut for distance-swim shoulder range.
Triathlon wetsuits are designed for a single activity, freestyle swimming against the clock, and almost every design choice reflects that. SCS-coated outer panels shed water faster, buoyancy panels in the legs and lower torso hold you in a horizontal position, and ultra-flexible shoulder panels avoid fatiguing your stroke over 1,500m+. Wearing one outside a triathlon or open-water swim context is awkward; wearing a surf suit in a triathlon loses you time.
Our triathlon buying guide covers picks across swimmer profiles (strong swimmer vs buoyancy-needing), price tiers, and full-sleeve vs sleeveless configurations. It also covers the current USAT and World Triathlon thickness rules (5mm maximum) and wetsuit-legal temperature bands.
Water temperature decides. Below about 70°F, full-sleeve retains enough core warmth over a distance swim to justify the slight shoulder restriction. Above 75°F, sleeveless is faster for most swimmers because shoulder rotation is unrestricted. Between 70 and 75°F it's personal preference, some swimmers are faster with sleeves, some without, and training in both is worthwhile. Our style comparison walks through the tradeoffs.
The pages we'd hand to a friend asking about this category.
Triathlon-specific wetsuit picks across budget, mid-range, and race-day premium. Full-sleeve and sleeveless options, plus USAT/World Triathlon rules and fit guidance.
What full suits, spring suits, and shorties actually cover, when to wear each, and how to match the style to your activity and water temperature.
A practical guide to picking the right wetsuit: thickness, fit, seams, entry style, and budget. Built for first-time buyers and seasoned cold-water regulars.
The real meaning of 3/2mm, 4/3mm, and 5/4mm wetsuit labels. How thickness distribution works, why it matters, and how to pick the right combination for your water.
Triathlon-specific wetsuit picks across budget, mid-range, and race-day premium. Full-sleeve and sleeveless options, plus USAT/World Triathlon rules and fit guidance.
Seven budget wetsuits under $150 that actually deliver. Honest about what you give up at this price. And what you don't need to compromise on.
Women's-specific wetsuit picks across surfing, triathlon, and cold-water use. Why women's suits matter (not just smaller men's), fit guidance, and 7 reviewed options.
The real meaning of 3/2mm, 4/3mm, and 5/4mm wetsuit labels. How thickness distribution works, why it matters, and how to pick the right combination for your water.
Water temperature to wetsuit thickness, band by band, with regional examples from SoCal to the North Sea, plus how wind and session length shift things.
What a properly-fitting wetsuit looks and feels like, the red flags of a bad fit, and a zone-by-zone walkthrough of where to check before you commit to a size.
A plain-English breakdown of wetsuit materials: petroleum and limestone neoprene, Yamamoto grades, Yulex natural rubber, and the linings that affect warmth.
The actual physics of how wetsuits keep you warm. Trapped gas cells, the thin water layer, and why fit matters more than thickness for real-world warmth.
The short list of habits that actually extend wetsuit life: rinsing, drying out of sun, hanging correctly, and avoiding the moves that destroy suits fast.
Interactive helpers that do the math for you.