dhb aeron short sleeve tri suit 2.0
Best: Overall
Rating: 9/10
If dhb is good enough for Joe Skipper (yes, the British triathlete who’s completed an IronMan in under seven hours), it’s good enough for us amateurs. Even though dhb – which is created by Wiggle – is an incredibly popular cycling brand, it has, in the past, been seen as more of an entry-level brand due to its accessible (read: very attractive) price points. But, just because its kit is on the lower end of the spectrum, doesn’t mean you should scoff at it – its cycling gear is genuinely super high-quality.
Aeron is dhb’s performance collection, and this short sleeve tri suit feels like it should be priced about three times higher than it actually is. The material reminds us of a racing swimsuit, due to its special water-repellent coating – and features mesh panels under the arms and along the back, which means it will help keep you cool during even the hottest of events (and it dries quickly, too).
The neckline is noticeably lower than some of the other suits on this list, which means it doesn’t feel too suffocating once zipped up, and the all-black design is super flattering. We appreciated the UK dress sizing here, and found its close-cut design fitted true to size – the legs felt a little compressive, but never dug in. We liked the slightly thinner material on the outer leg too as it meant it fitted easily under a wetsuit without any weird bulges.
There are two large pockets on the back of the suit which are big enough for bars or gels – they are placed quite high up though, but this is hardly a dealbreaker (just be careful not to overload them, else you might end up losing a couple if you’re sat in the flat TT position).
Suitable for any distance triathlon, this tri suit has a tri-specific chamois pad which has a low profile (much lower than any cycling bib shorts we own). We were a little sceptical as to how such a compact pad could offer much in the way of saddle protection, but on testing, we had no issues and found it offered comfort when running and swimming, as well as on the bike.