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If you’re new to cycling, the term ‘skinsuit’ may sound a little horror movie-ish or just plain disconcerting. But picture a short-sleeve (or in some cases, long-sleeve) onesie made of Lycra: That’s a skinsuit. Whether you’re a crit racer, a cyclocrosser, or a triathlete, you’ve likely landed on this article because you’re trying to find a cycling skinsuit—also known as a speedsuit—to wear for some kind of racing. And honestly, unless you’re on a team that has custom-printed skinsuits for its riders, it can be a little confusing as far as what kind to order and what style is right for the race you’re doing.
First of all, when would you actually want to wear a skinsuit? Honestly, most casual riders can skip this article entirely. Unless you’re planning to race criteriums, cyclocross, or triathlon, skinsuits will likely not be an important part of your cycling wardrobe. Designed for aerodynamics (or in the case of triathlon or very rainy cyclocross races, hydrodynamics), skinsuits are for racing, not casual riding. Rarely do they come with full-size pockets, and unless it’s laundry day and all of your other kit is dirty, you wouldn’t wear one on a training ride.
But if you’re trying to improve your aerodynamics while racing or streamline for a triathlon, you may want to consider a skinsuit. There are differences between the options, though, so here we’ve gathered several of the best for men and women. But first, some guidance on how to pick the right one for you and other questions you should ask yourself when buying.
How Do I Choose a Skinsuit?
- Know what you want: Some people really love pockets, while others prefer to be a bit more minimal. Few races where you would wear a skinsuit require storing anything in a pocket, but some people like having the pocket for riding around with a phone or gel before the race.
- Look for the "full zip” when possible: Skinsuits used to have a more onesie-style construction in terms of the zipper, but in recent seasons, most brands have shifted to a "full zip" construction that visually looks more like the bottom of a jersey. This allows just a bit more wiggle room and often lengthens the life of your zipper since it takes some of the strain off of it as you wiggle in and out.
- Avoid commitment: Because sizing can be so whacky on skinsuits since you’re trying to fit a top and a bottom as a single piece, you’ll want to avoid committing before trying on whenever possible. Look for options that offer free returns and exchanges, or, in the case of custom options, look for brands that will send a fit kit so you can try a few sizes to figure out what’s best for you.
- Check your measurements and their measurements: A soft tape measure will be your best friend in this search, since everything from bicep to torso length can affect how well a skinsuit will fit.
- Get aero: When you do try on your new skinsuit, don’t just stand around. Get on your bike and assume the aero position to ensure that nothing pulls or sags once you’re bent over.
- Beware of mixing up triathlete and cyclist skinsuits: Triathlon skinsuits or speedsuits will have very, very light padding, but not much by way of a chamois, since you’ll be swimming and running in it as well as riding. So they won’t be as comfortable on the bike. And you wouldn’t want to wear a cycling-specific skinsuit for a triathlon, because the swim will cause the chamois to get waterlogged and pretty darn gross and squishy for the ride and run.
Why Are So Many Companies Only Making Skinsuits for Men?
Here’s the deal: It is wildly frustrating how few options are available for women unless you decide to go custom. This just plain sucks, and it’s incredible to me how brands who make men’s skinsuits skip the women’s side altogether—even the big ones like Rapha that are otherwise doing awesome things with women’s clothing. My personal speculation (and what I’ve heard from some manufacturers) is that women are rarely racing seriously enough without a team to want to get a skinsuit, while men are more inclined to race solo for longer. This is a crappy reason, and hopefully as more and more women enter the sport, we’ll have more options for women’s skinsuits widely available. But for now, we’ve pulled together a few great options from brands who do understand that women are just as entitled to excellent racing gear as men.
Any Advice for While I’m Wearing It?
Two tips: First, apply chamois cream directly to your nether regions rather than putting it on the chamois, otherwise you’ll likely end up with it all over the place. Second, when getting ready to race, have someone help you pin your race number to your skinsuit while you’re wearing it and bent over in your aero position (make sure you trust the person to not stab you with a safety pin!), because pinning it before you put it on inevitably leads to ripping your number or the material.
How We Selected
As someone who got her start in triathlon and eventually fell in love with cyclocross after a quick jaunt in the crit racing world, I consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to riding around looking like you’re wearing a pair of onesie pajamas. You’d be surprised how much cycling kit has evolved in the last 15 years, since the day I first pulled on a tri suit (backwards, oops) to now. I’ve raced and worn a skinsuit in everything from a boiling hot Ironman or a ’cross race in a blizzard, so I know what I’m looking for in a skinsuit (and what to avoid).
As I evaluated the best skinsuits available for cyclists, I factored in a few things. Primarily, I looked at the overall fit and comfort, the durability of the fabric and the zipper, and the general aesthetic. That little extra “something” didn’t hurt either, whether it was a bonus pocket, a design detail in the fabric, or a particularly grippy-yet-comfortable silicone band on the legs.
This is perhaps the most versatile skinsuit of the bunch, thanks to the three pockets in the back and a simple black design that cleverly mimics shorts and a jersey. You won’t look as out of place jumping in a group ride on laundry day when all of your jerseys are in the wash. Our testers noted that it was comfortable in addition to being aerodynamic. Because it uses the same chamois as the much-loved Pro Team Bib Shorts and similar technology and fit as the Aero Jersey, the Rapha Pro Team Aerosuit is basically a jersey and bibs combination that just happens to be bonded together into one piece.
dhb Aeron Lab Raceline Long-Sleeve Speedsuit
dhb Aeron Lab Raceline Long-Sleeve Speedsuit
Like Rapha’s Aerosuit, the Aeron Lab Raceline also offers a pocket in the back. And thanks to the style of the zipper, with an open bottom panel that mimics a full-zip jersey, this speedsuit can almost double as the jersey-and-bibs combo that you would wear on a casual ride, though it doesn’t have the same aesthetic. (Throw a vest on, and you’re basically incognito.) The Aeron collection is designed for the ultimate in aerodynamics, and while the fabric is thin and likely won’t provide a lot of warmth in later season cyclocross races, it will feel damn fast.
The Black Bibs Black Road Suit
The Black Bibs Black Road Suit
The founders of The Black Bibs had a singular mission for their brand when they started: To create a pair of simple, unbranded bib shorts that any cyclist could afford. (Their originals are only $40 and nearly as comfortable and long-lasting as options 10 times as expensive.) They’ve since added other simple pieces to their lineup, including the $100 Road Suit in basic black. It’s ideal for cyclists who are new to the crit or cyclocross scene who want to try out racing in a skinsuit but don’t want to commit to a pricier model. And like the bib shorts, this skinsuit is comfortable and incredibly stretchy. It also has two large rear pockets so can be used on laundry day in a pinch, though there’s no mistaking the fact that you’re wearing a skinsuit when you ride in this one.
Voler Prestige Velocity Suit
Voler Prestige Velocity Suit
Made in the U.S., Voler’s Prestige appears pretty basic but is far from basic in terms of material or construction. Because of the different fabric types throughout the skinsuit—tailored to provide the best aerodynamics and breathability—the fabric ends up with a cool patterned effect. The sleeves (slightly longer than you’d find on a traditional short sleeve) stay in place with light grips, and the same is true of the shorts. The exposed zipper and jersey-style bottom at the waist allow riders to fully open the zipper for easy cooling (and less tricky taking off and putting on). Three pockets in the back make it ideal for longer events where you’d want a snack and multitool on hand. Bonus: The fabric on the back and sleeves is SPF 50.
Peppermint Cycling Co. Plume Navy Long-Sleeves Skinsuit
Peppermint Cycling Co. Plume Navy Long-Sleeves Skinsuit
Weirdly, this small Canadian company is at the forefront of providing incredibly stylish long-sleeve skinsuits for up-and-coming cyclocross racers who want to look cool as well as comfortable. The Plume has two rear pockets, and there are plenty of women who opt to wear it for even casual road rides, thanks to its thoughtful design. Because it’s navy on the top and closer to black on the bottom, at a distance it looks like a long-sleeve jersey with shorts. But in a racing situation, you won’t have to worry about your jersey riding up or getting caught or losing precious seconds to extra fabric flapping around.
Pactimo Ascent 3.0 Skinsuit
Pactimo Ascent 3.0 Skinsuit
Custom clothing company Pactimo also offers a few skinsuit options for women in pre-made patterns and colors. As I mentioned, the women’s skinsuit market is sorely lacking, unfortunately, so it’s nice to see more brands stepping up and providing options for women who may not have teams to race with but want an aerodynamic advantage with a skinsuit. This is nothing fancy, but the fit is great. There’s a single pocket in the back, and the sleeves are “Euro cut,” meaning they come down slightly lower than more standard jersey sleeves.
If you’re part of a club or team, or you just have a crew of friends that you ride or race with, consider going custom on skinsuits. Strangely enough, you’ll have more options available for you, since custom brands typically have men’s and women’s options available. The Champion Systems skinsuit is comfortable and, frankly, flattering. The faux jersey zip in the front means a more durable zipper and an easier time getting the suit on and off. The skinsuits are true to size, though I’d recommend getting their fit kit to guarantee that you order the right size, since the sleeves don’t have as much stretch as a more casual jersey. The design and ordering process is also quite simple. The only potential downside is that you need to order 10 pieces to get started, but split between even a handful of riders who agree on one design, it can end up being a cost-effective way to grow your cycling wardrobe in one order.
2XU Perform Front Zip Tri Suit
2XU Perform Front Zip Tri Suit
Available in men’s and women’s sizing, the Perform Front Zip is a simple sleeveless skinsuit designed for triathlons. It’s not meant for bike racing, and, in fact, UCI- and USA Cycling-sanctioned races won’t allow racers to use sleeveless tops. This suit is speedy in the water, and the slim chamois doesn’t feel diaper-like when you run out of the lake and hop on the bike. Sure, it’s not a lot of padding, but you don’t want to have much when swimming or running. And the suit is lightly compressive, so while it won’t make you magically feel peppier, it might help offer some relief during long course races. Pro tip: When it comes to triathlon suits, always check where the zipper is. Some are sneaky and designed with it in the back. This is not a good thing, because if at any point pre-race you need to use the port-a-potty, you’ll be asking the guy behind you in line to unzip you.
Castelli Sanremo Ros Thermosuit
Castelli Sanremo Ros Thermosuit
Want to feel like it’s pajama day at school but while you’re at a bike race? You’ll need a thermal skinsuit with long sleeves and full tights. Enter the Sanremo Ros Thermosuit, built for the cyclocrosser racing in the dead of winter (or just late fall) looking to stay warm on the course. It absolutely is overkill for all but the worst weather conditions, but if you’ve ever lined up for a cyclocross race in negative temps, you know how much you would be willing to spend to be slightly warmer. This suit is also a weirdly awesome addition to a fat biker or winter weather rider’s wardrobe, as it can be worn with a vest or jacket and (in the coldest cases) pants on top of it to provide full-body fleecy warmth. (The only downside is that using the bathroom will be a very chilly experience.)
Molly writes about cycling, nutrition and training, with an emphasis on women in sport. Her new middle-grade series, Shred Girls, debuts with Rodale Kids/Random House in 2019 with "Lindsay's Joyride." Her other books include "Mud, Snow and Cyclocross," "Saddle, Sore" and "Fuel Your Ride." Her work has been published in magazines like Bicycling, Outside and Nylon. She co-hosts The Consummate Athlete Podcast.
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