The most well rounded triathlon suit
This review should have been blogged in 2020 when I made my first incredibly cringey Youtube video showing off the the castelli sanremo tri suit (starts at 3:23 if you dare to watch). I got it super cheap at the time and it was my first time exploring with cycling fashion and triathlon gear. This triathlon suit is what made me love skin suits. I now prefer wearing skin suits over a bib and jersey. You just put it on and you’re off to train and/or race. I have had this same kit for 3 years and it’s still functioning. I use it heavily and cannot praise it enough.
This trisuit has survived several sprint triathlons, olympic triathlons, and of course the the several swims I have done in Lake Ontario. I also did my first full ironman in this trisuit. If you are looking for a trisuit, this is the one. I’ve taken this on several bikes rides and I cannot find a flaw in this racing/training bib. Additionally, it is well priced to train and race in. This triathlon suit is versatile and can also be used just for cycling if you’re looking at trying a skin suit. I loved this triathlon suit so much that I purchased another one and used it for my second ironman race. I also brought it to Colombia to do the most difficult rides of my life (to date). The price is fantastic and it can handle a rough individual like myself. When I train or race, I go hard on all my gear. Training and racing gear is meant to be abused, this can handle it.
For my body type, this is my forever triathlon suit. I am looking at buying Santini x IRONMAN but I am reluctant since this is perfect for my physique however as a reviewer, I need to see what else is out there. I’m going to keep this review short, here’s the pros and cons. If you’re looking at racing, this is the bib I recommend because I have raced in it and used it for everything.
Pros
- Priced well and goes cheaper when on sale
- big pockets to store your phone and nutrition for training days
- The zipper and upper jersey’s material is very light and easy to put on. It feels like a separate jersey when taking it off and on
- The leg portion of the bib is tight but not too tight. The material is stiffer but it works and causes no discomfort or chafing
- Can be used for short and long distance triathlons
- It can be used for a full IRONMAN
- It can be used for daily training rides, normal bike rides, swims, and runs
- It has the perfect chamois to run, cycle, and swim with. This is subjective since it’s my body type though.
Cons
- Bad design. It doesn’t look great but it does what it was created to do. It’s meant for racing and training with comfortability and functionality. I might reach out to castelli and create my own (and possibly sell)
Conclusion
If you’ve been searching for a triathlon suit/skin suit and don’t want to know where to start, I’d go this route. I always suggest sending the company an email on what they suggest for fit since our body types are all different. You can get this piece for less than 200 dollars when it goes on sale. I just wish they looked cool in terms of artistic style.