TRIATHLON WETSUITS UNDER £400

On a budget? Then there are some great wetsuits out there, starting at a little over £100. Here's our pick...

-  HELEN WEBSTER

That old phrase 'you get what you pay for' often comes into play when looking at triathlon kit. In the world of wetsuits this is partly true, but it's also important to choose a suit that suits your swimming level and ability. There's no point choosing an expensive yet fragile race wetsuit if you're a beginner, who might better benefit from buoyancy and a measure of robustness. Equally, if you have fast transitions and marginal gains in mind, then a cheaper wetsuit may be fine for keeping warm, but won't have the quick-removal tech that a more expensive one might have.

One thing to remember, though, is that as the triathlon market matures, technology starts to 'trickle down' and new brands enter the market, there's increased choice out there and the line between a budget and mid-range wetsuit can become increasingly blurred.

With that in mind, we asked brands to send over their entry-level offering for this test and the suits featured here come in from a little over £100 to a little under £400. Our test team were asked to try each suit and review on its own merits, as well as giving thoughts on value for money. It's worth reading each review, thinking about your 'wish list' and also checking out the many other suits reviewed on 220triathlon.com before deciding, though.

One thing is for sure, though there are some great suits available these days at a price point that we'd consider competitive. With that in mind, read on for the tests, but don't miss next month's issue where we explore what's available for a few more pounds, too...

VAN RYSEL TRIATHLON SD £119.99 

decathlon.co.uk