• Ergonomically engineered paneling with smooth, flat overlock seam finishes reduce loose or wrinkled fabrics
• HeiQ Smart Temp technology keeps you cool
• SBR SILICONE RIDGES across arms and shoulders help ‘roughen’ up air flow to reduce drag
• SBR CHANNEL spliced through sides improves aerodynamics and breathability
• SBR SKIN LITE 160gsm stretch interlock wicks sweat away from upper body so you stay dry and cool
• Stretch mesh underarm gusset increases swim flexibility
• Large back aero pockets with dual side access
• Easy access ice pocket on back neck
• Full length semi-auto lock zip
• TMF® Light Speed Tri Chamois dual layer 90 density high impact / 140 density superlight foam
• 8″ short with integrated silicone grippers and clean-cut streamlined fit
• This garment contains recycled yarns

Testing Conditions

I’m a competitive age group triathlete and really wanted to simulate the full spectrum of swimbikerun while testing this tri suit.

• Several trainer rides, usually 2 hours in duration
• One medium outside ride in 70 degree temperatures
• Bike-Run bricks
• Medium runs, 1 hour in duration
• Open water swimming (while wearing a wetsuit)

I received the tri suit in mid-February, and Colorado has not been conducive to heat testing this kit.  We’ve had a total of 2 warm weekends and I had MTB races on both of those weekends.  But I do have 18 years experience in racing triathlon, so I feel safe making some assumptions on performance in all kinds of  temperatures.

The Light Speed React Tri Suit is the next level up from the Light Speed Tri Suit (reviewed last fall).  The chamois and general fit of the Light Speed React suit are fairly similar.  The main differences between the two suits is the addition of the SBR silicone ridges in the sleeves and a SBR channel along the sides.  The Quadriceps Muscle Containment Stamping (MCS) in the prior Light Speed model is gone, which honestly made me a little sad, as I really liked that feature and thought it was a good differentiation from all of the other tri suits on the market.

Performance

So how did the 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit stack up?

I don’t have access to a wind tunnel and I didn’t have the chance to race in this kit, but based on my many years in triathlon, I can tell pretty quickly how something will deliver.

The 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit, out of the box, is really comfortable.  The fabric is buttery soft with just the right stretch.  I found the sizing to be true to size.  I appreciate the longer legs as I find that shorter, 5″ tri shorts seem to migrate upwards on me. The combination of the just-right leg grippers and length meant that the bottom of the kit stayed exactly where it needed to be.

There are two colorways for the men and women, all with light tops and dark bottoms.  The tops are pretty see-through (wet and dry).  A lot of tri suits on the market are see-through, and this doesn’t bother me.  But a few of my tri friends did comment on the transparency, with a bit of worry in their voice.  The bottoms are completely opaque (plum or black for women).

I really like the chamois of the 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit.  A two hour trainer ride is usually a good test for how a chamois will feel, as you don’t really move around on the saddle and things tend to feel fairly uncomfortable if the chamois isn’t a good match for the rider.  The chamois looks a bit bulky and large, when compared to other brands, but it is really flexible and comfortable, both on the bike and while running.

The fabric of the 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit is stretchy but also supportive.  It feels good to wear and I didn’t have any chafing or awkward feeling areas.  I do wish the front zipper had a fabric cover at the neckline, like the previous iteration did.  I didn’t chafe from the zipper at my collarbone, but this is definitely an area where the potential is there.

The pockets in the 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit are fantastic. There’s a small pocket at the back neckline, intended to hold ice cubes to help cool you off on hot days. The main pockets at the back waistline are larger in size than the Light Speed kit. They have side entries (versus top with a flap) and were big enough to store 3 large gels or an epi-pen.  The pockets are secure, with zero bouncing or movement of the contents.

For me, the most controversial item on the 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit is the silicone ridges on the sleeves.  They are there for aerodynamics – the silicone ridges break up the airstream as you ride and create a larger and more aero air pocket for you to ride through. Most other brands have a channel knit into the fabric; this is the first tri suit I’ve seen with silicone grips for the channels.  My main issue with the silicone channels is that they are VERY grippy.  When you are pulling the kit off (as in for a porta-potty stop), the silicone grips onto itself and it’s a struggle to get the top of the kit off. I don’t have the best shoulder mobility, and every bathroom break ended up feeling like a bit of a wrestling match.  I think taking the kit off this would be even more of a challenge when you add in sweat/water and the tight confines of a porta-potty. My hypothesis is that the product testing done by 2XU was on elite athletes who usually don’t need to stop. But an average age grouper (for mid-distance races) does stop and this is a feature that would cause some anxiety.

I was able to get in a single, 40 minute open water swim while wearing the 2XU Light Speed React Tri Suit.  I was really worried about the silicone on the sleeves and how they would interact with the lining of my wetsuit. I was pleasantly surprised that the silicone had zero impact in putting on my wetsuit and I didn’t notice them as I swam. Getting my wetsuit off was also not an issue.

For running, if the sleeves were down a little too close to my elbow crease, I did notice that the silicone would pull the hair on my forearms as I swung my arms (which was annoying).  Once I pulled the sleeves up a bit, that issue went away.