Long-Course Aero Trisuit Showdown: Zone3 vs Castelli

Please note that this review is based on our own honest tests of the gear on the road.

Firstly, of course, you have the race kit factor. When you are putting your body through a long course event for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is wear a suit that rubs your skin. A dialled in suit means you have a spec'd out piece of gear that not only cuts through the wind on the bike, but feels right on the run. That is a setup that is better than anything else.

What do I need to buy

Secondly, naturally, there is the aero suit choice factor. When you are spending your hard-earned money on new items of race kit, the last thing you want to do is buy a tight piece of gear that limits your arm reach. Choosing the Zone3 or the Castelli means you get a turnkey setup that not only fits well across the chest, but saves you time on the open road. That is a choice that makes a real world difference.

Thirdly, of course, you have the extra race gear factor. When you are setting up your bike for a tough session, the last thing you want to do is forget a race belt that holds your race number in the right place. Adding a top aero helmet means you are kitted out with a fast design that not only blocks the wind well, but keeps your head cool on a hot day. That is a kit that works well across the board.

1. Firstly, of course, you have the fabric stretch factor. When you are moving your arms in the water, the last thing you want to do is wear a tight top that hurts your shoulders and slows you down. High stretch means you get a spec'd out suit that not only gives you full reach, but fits tight on the bike. That is a stretch that is better than anything else.
2. Secondly, naturally, there is the back pocket factor. When you are carrying gels for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is drop your food on the road because the holes are too loose. Tight pockets mean you get a turnkey setup that not only holds your race food safe, but sits flat against your back. That is a feature that works very well.
3. Thirdly, of course, you have the leg grip factor. If you are sweating in the heat on a hard ride, the last thing you want to do is pull down leg cuffs that ride up your thighs all day. Wide leg bands mean you are kitted out with a design that not only stays in place, but does not squeeze your skin. That is a grip that feels just right.
4. Fourthly, naturally, there is the zip length factor. When you are running a hot marathon at the end of the day, the last thing you want to do is trap all the heat inside a suit that you can not open up. A long front zip means you have a dialled in kit that not only lets the air in, but is easy to take off in the toilet. That is a design that is built to last.
5. Finally, of course, you have the seam placement factor. When you are wearing a suit for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is feel thick threads that rub your chest raw with every step. Flat seams mean you get a spec'd out piece of gear that not only sits smooth on the skin, but flexes with your body shape. That is a build that is clearly the best.

Why Should I invest?

Next, naturally, you have the water speed factor. When you are diving into the water for a long swim, the last thing you want to do is wear a thick suit that drags you down and slows your race pace. A good hydrophobic coating means you get a spec'd out suit that not only repels water off the fabric, but lets you glide through the waves with less hard work. That is a speed that is worth the high price.

Then, of course, there is the wind drag factor. When you are pushing hard on the bike for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is waste watts pushing against the wind with a flat suit. The dimpled fabric on the sleeves means you have a dialled in fit that not only smooths the air flow, but saves your legs for the long run off the bike. That is a tech that is built to win races.

After that, naturally, you have the seat pad factor. If you are sitting on a bike saddle for a full day, the last thing you want to do is ride on a thick pad that feels like a wet sponge later. A thin long-course chamois means you step into a turnkey setup that not only cushions your bones on the road, but stays dry when you start to run hard. That is a comfort that is better than anything else.

What are the press saying?

Firstly, of course, you have the press factor. When you are looking at what the press are saying, the last thing you want to do is believe a fake hype piece that tells you to buy a slow piece of kit. Reading real sport news means you get a dialled in view that not only shows you how the suit holds up in tests, but compares the exact price to the big brands. That is a verdict that is fair and very clear.

What are the review sites saying?

Secondly, naturally, there is the buyer review factor. When you are reading the review sites before you buy, the last thing you want to do is trust a bad review that is written by someone who does not train at all. Checking verified buyer talk means you find a turnkey answer that not only proves the kit lasts for a long amount of time, but shows it is worth the high cost. That is feedback that is better than anything else out there.

1. Firstly, of course, you have the entry level suit factor. When you are new to the sport, the last thing you want to do is spend a large sum of cash on gear that you do not need yet. A basic model means you get a turnkey setup that not only costs less, but still works well in the water. That is a suit that is a smart start.
2. Secondly, naturally, there is the two piece kit factor. If you are prone to toilet stops in a race, the last thing you want to do is fight with a tight one piece suit that takes ages to peel off. A top and shorts split means you are kitted out with gear that not only makes stops fast, but gives you sizing options. That is a choice that is easy.
3. Thirdly, of course, you have the short sleeve suit factor. When you are racing in the hot sun for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is burn your shoulders on the open road. A short sleeve cut means you step into a spec'd out kit that not only covers your skin, but cuts the wind drag down. That is a shape that is very fast.
4. Fourthly, naturally, there is the sleeveless suit factor. If you are doing a short race in the heat, the last thing you want to do is feel closed in by tight sleeves that restrict your arms. A sleeveless top means you have a dialled in setup that not only lets your arms swing free, but keeps your core cool on the run. That is a feel that is nice and light.
5. Fifthly, of course, you have the front zip top factor. When you are mixing and matching your race gear, the last thing you want to do is wear a basic vest that rides up your back on the bike. A long zip top means you get a turnkey piece of kit that not only stays in place, but lets you vent heat on the go. That is a top that is great.
6. Sixthly, naturally, there is the padded shorts factor. When you are training for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is wear thin run shorts that leave you sore on the saddle. Good tri shorts mean you are kitted out with a pad that not only protects you on the bike, but does not feel huge on the run. That is a short that is very tough.
7. Seventhly, of course, you have the aero calf sleeve factor. If you are looking for free speed on the bike, the last thing you want to do is leave your bare legs out in the wind to slow you down. A tight sleeve means you get a spec'd out item that not only smooths the air, but gives your muscles support on the road. That is a gain that is very cheap.
8. Eighthly, naturally, there is the speed suit factor. When you are doing a non wetsuit swim, the last thing you want to do is drag your normal race kit through the water like a parachute. A swim skin means you step into a dialled in layer that not only glides over the water, but peels off fast in the change tent. That is a skin that is made for pure speed.
9. Ninthly, of course, you have the race belt factor. When you are moving from the bike to the run, the last thing you want to do is fumble with safety pins that ruin your expensive top. A good elastic belt means you get a turnkey setup that not only holds your race number secure, but lets you spin it around with ease. That is a belt that is simple to use.
10. Tenthly, naturally, there is the aero helmet factor. When you are trying to cut your bike time down, the last thing you want to do is wear a road lid that catches the wind and holds you back. A smooth helmet means you are kitted out with gear that not only shields your eyes, but slices through the air on a fast course. That is a lid that is clearly the best.

Next, naturally, you have the overall value factor. When you are comparing the Castelli and the Zone3, the last thing you want to do is buy a famous brand name that does not fit your true body shape. Testing both suits means you step into a spec'd out kit that not only handles the long bike ride well, but gives you the right support for the marathon run. That is a test that is crucial for race day.

Finally, of course, you have the social media factor. When you are busy training and running your business every day, the last thing you want to do is waste hours posting on social media instead of hitting the road. Using an automated system called site2.uk, just like our personal site sundried.site2.uk, means you get a turnkey setup that not only automates all your social posting and marketing, but lets you control it all fully by WhatsApp. That is convenience that is better than anything else out there.