Could anyone with a Zoot (tri)suit chime in on your thoughts? I need a new kit as my shit is pushing its age, and plus I want something that looks good. I do like suits trisuits and they seem pretty well priced compared to other companies I have been perusing. Some of the patterns are to much, but there are a couple suits I was hoping for some input on fit and performance (how you thought it performed on the swim and bike in terms of drag or aeroness, as well as when running comfort). I need to take some measurements, but I feel like I may be in the tweener state of M and L. I think my waist is a medium and my chest is a large so not sure what to pick
These are Ultra Tri SS Aero Racesuit (have this in my cart currently because of pricing)
I have three Zoot kits and they are fantastic. I get a lot of compliments. I’m in between size too. My waist is small, my chest is medium so I went with medium but I regret now because as you use them more they stretch so small would have been ok with me. If you try it, it will be tight but once you hit the water, it’s not tight anymore. My vote is medium.
Disclaimer: I joined their racing team this year and have been super impressed by their suits.
I’ve been a member of the smedium club for a long time. I have a smallish waist at 30", but my chest is about 45". The medium fits me pretty well with some flexibility on the upper end.
The thing that has impressed me is the attention to detail. The legs have these amazing slim grip end things that mimic the material of aero socks. When I’m talking detail, I’m talking about when the garment gets wet through sweat there are a thousand little zoot symbols that create a texture to help it grip the body.
Zoot is definitely killer bang for the buck. A similar level of suit from other companies would be $100+ more. For context, I’ve worn Pearl izumi, LG, castelli, and Ownway in the past.
I too seem to be between medium and large. I have one of the Zoot Ltd camo trisuits. I have only worn it once, for a long training ride, and found that the legs felt restrictive while pedaling. I felt like I was working against the legs on the upstroke.
These are Ultra Tri SS Aero Racesuit (have this in my cart currently because of pricing)
I have this suit in a Large
I think it is great.
I was very hesitant about the sizing as I’m a myriad of different sizes. I’m 72.5in tall (a bit over 6ft -) and weigh roughly 183lbs-200lbs with a 31-32 inch waist. I forget my chest size at the moment and don’t have a tape measure. My quads are at times tight on certain cycling apparel, but these are tight and not restrictive which is nice.
The suit fit like a glove from the start. I’ve worn it a bunch and have trained in it. I wore it for the Haines City 70.3 and also Boulder 140.6 this year. I definitely have felt the cooling effect in the heat. I personally have issues with overheating as my body makeup is basically a lot of muscle and more fat than normal being pushed by my strong engine which can overheat. The suit helps a lot with that I feel.
I would say the only gripe is it being a one piece. It is my first one piece and I was debating the De Soto flisuit and think for convenience it would be nice. I’m thinking of racing Augusta 70.3 in a two piece ensemble that I have been training in lately, but for pure speed I think the suit checks out. Also it is great to train in on the roads in low visibility. It seems like a super safe suit that brings bright colors into a design that isn’t too bad. I wouldn’t say it is ‘great’, but it was the best that I could find for what I was looking for. I wish they did make other colors though as I would be tempted for a black suit or something darker. Even 80s colors would be funky. Could work.
Also - on the chafing – I had absolutely zero issues. It was uncomfortable a couple times and after some minor adjustments, I was fine. Then after that, I knew how to put the suit on appropriately so that I would have no chafing issues. I ride a lot of miles sometimes so I was concerned how it felt 80mi in or 90mi or 100mi and it was fine.
I posted some pictures if you wanted to see the fit. That pricing is a really good deal. I had to pay $225 if I recall correctly. It seems like a very well made suit.
I had a sleeveless one, but assume the sizing is the same. I am normally a medium and the medium fitted well, but if I was between sizes would definitely size down. Could of probably fitted into a small.
I love the designs they have and the suit was really comfortable. Mine had the fleece chamois which I prefer instead of an actual chamois. It was comfortable for 6+ hour rides.
But as much as I love the design and comfort I was completely put off Zoot due to their customer service. I had tried to contact them a few times before buying it with different questions but never got a response. The suit ended up being see through in tbe butt after maybe 10-15 uses. Can’t remember the exact details but I think they have a one year warranty, but the retailer said the brought this up with Zoot who said and tear is not covered. I then reached out to them directly via the contact form on their website and again got no response.
So I am definitely a big fan of the designs and comfort, but don’t want to waste my money buying another product that will only last a short period.
I have 1 zoot kit, purchased off season probably early 2016, so possibly 2015 model.
Loved the chamioux. Simply one of the best I’ve used that is a combo of much thinner than what I tend to find in road kit, but not stupid thin whimpy construction fleece, AND covers enough area that my entire saddle interface is covered (more like a smaller road chamioux) and not just a minipad thing where I end up feeling the edges of the chanioux when on the saddle for hours (like several recent tri pads I’ve come across). And I didn’t notice the pad at all when not on the saddle.
The fit was great on me, good length in legs, arms, snug and wrinkle free but didn’t feel bindy at all. Don’t recall any seams bothering me but I don’t remember zipper construction / rub.
Pockets were usefully sized and located for me. Some kit has pockets opening high enough on my back to make them hard to access while biking, but my zoot kit was fine.
The one negative on that model was the front of the legs and arm bands were a bit plasticy (dimpled for aerodynamics, I suppose), and over the course of the full I wore it for I got some small cuts on my thighs and arms from chaffing at those bottom edges. Maybe that was the suit’s way of telling me I need to be faster.
I stopped using it because my club got into custom kit (Verge) that is not as nice, IMO. But this little trip down memory lane has been great and now I may pull my zoot out of the box for my TT this weekend!
Zoot is definitely killer bang for the buck. A similar level of suit from other companies would be $100+ more. For context, I’ve worn Pearl izumi, LG, castelli, and Ownway in the past.
I would definitely agree. Even when I pulled the trigger at $225 for the suit, I was willing and looking for suits $100 higher, but felt that Zoot offered all around superior value.
I bought the Ultra earlier this year and love it. I’m larger for a triathlete… 6’3", 200 lbs, 33" waist, 43" chest… and got an XL. Based on size guide, I need XL for top but was worried it would be too big for bottom as the guide suggests L given waist size. But I also needed to make sure it would fit my height. Anyway, everything fits great, including the waist/bottom. The suit is comfortable, no chafing, breathes great and feels cool in the heat, no issues with stretching… can’t say enough positive things about it. I attached pic for reference so you can see fit.
For a 2 piece, my shorts are a small and my sleeved jersey is a large. I tried a medium jersey, but could not even get it zipped up because my upper body is so weirdly proportioned. I have a large now, and it’s quite loose in my arms and shoulders.
Awesome, thanks everyone for your input. That helped out a lot.
plant_based, you are about my size, but I am about 5 pounds lighter than you and an inch taller. the pictures helped out a lot - its always hard to tell how these things actually end up fitting. I think I may try and swing the medium as I would be on the lower end of the large for chest I believe, but will measure to make sure. The cooling affect is 1 of the main pulls to me as I can break down pretty quickly in the heat sometimes.
I didn’t see it mentioned here. so I’ll add
First off, love the suit and would buy again.
You’ll have a hell of a time getting on and over your shoulders. I worry I’m going to tear the thing apart eventually.
So my last suit (not Zoot) at the zipper,there is a relief section you could say. kinda like a sewn together shirt and shorts. With the Zoot, its a complete 1 piece, when its unzipped there isnt much room to put on the sleeves and pull over your shoulders. The garment has to stretch a lot to do it. Once on though its a great fit.
I’m on Team Zoot, so I am biased. With that said, their stuff really is wonderful. I personally like 2 piece better. Like you I am between sizes so I do medium shorts and large tops. The one you picked has a really nice pad - almost as good as a pad in cycling shorts, but does not get in the way when running.
