Huub Alchemy wetsuit review: flexibility at the expense of durability
Huub only produced a limited run of its Alchemy wetsuit, but you can still find them for sale. But are they worth the money? Let's find out
220 Triathlon verdict
There’s plenty of top tech on display for swimmers wanting to go faster, but be aware of the delicate material. Score: 78%
Pros
- Balanced buoyancy profile is welcome
- Quick to remove
Cons
- Delicate neoprene
- Some water ingress
Lifted straight out of the box and the Huub Alchemy instantly joins the other best triathlon wetsuits in feeling like a lean, supple and lightweight wetsuit.
That’s due to the lithe Yamamoto 43-cell neoprene utilised throughout that, even without ultra-thin neoprene in the upper-body, helps with flexibility in the stroke.
If you’re a strong swimmer who still requires some extra lift in the body, the Alchemy could well be a smart choice, as it holds its own among the best triathlon wetsuits on the market.
In Huub’s Black Friday sale, you can save 50% (£250) on the Alchemy in most sizes.
How we test triathlon wetsuits
Each triathlon wetsuit we review gets put through the same level of testing, including numerous swims of varying distances over the period of several weeks at a minimum. This includes both endurance and speed swim sessions. We test against a range of criteria including comfort, buoyancy, hydrodynamics, quality, how easy it is to take off in transition, and value. For more details, see how we rate and test products.
Buoyancy profile
The 3:5 profile provides the buoyancy, with a mix of 3mm and 5mm panels designed to offer lift, but not too much lift, in the water.
Huub claims the 43-cell neoprene delivers 43% more buoyancy that conventional neoprene, but it didn’t feel excessive in our test swims in open water.
Warmth from the 5mm panels was also appreciated in the sub-15°C springtime waters.
Huub’s own X-O Skeleton support structure, which aims to prevent a swimmer’s hips from swinging, appeared to help my body position stay aligned in the water.
Fit
In terms of fit, it wasn’t quite as tight as some of the others Huub wetsuits I’ve worn.
As the pictures possibly show, there was a bit of bunching around the knees and looseness above the ankles, though, and I was expecting the legs to come up a little shorter.
The suit utilises Huub’s breakaway zipper design, which is far easier to do up if you’re by yourself than a reverse zipper (a bonus if you ever swim alone or don’t want to ask someone to help you do it up).
I did have a little trouble aligning the Velcro perfectly at the rear (especially when swimming by myself), but the bonus of this system is how quick it is to undo when you’re heading into T1.
One side of the zipper does sit higher than the other, however, with the zipper head sitting lower than the other suits on test when done up.
Comfort and durability
I did experience some water ingress down the back with this suit and needed some added wetsuit lube when compared to some others on test.
Once lubed-up, it was fine during longer swims. Water ingress is minimal into the front of the suit, or into the arm sleeves and legs, though.
The taped internal seams should aid the durability, but the 43-cell neoprene is more delicate than the 38-cell variant, however, and I did manage to snag my suit in the lower back area trying to put it on.
So make sure you cut your nails or wear some of those mime artist gloves if you’re planning on racing in the Alchemy this season…
Meet our tester
Matt Baird has been writing about triathlon since 2008 when he joined 220 and has completed the gamut of triathlon distances and formats. He uses his wealth of testing experience to push wetsuits to the limit in the south west of England’s open-water swimming spots. He is now editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine and before that edited Cycling Plus.
Huub Alchemy wetsuit specs
| Price: | $545 / £499 |
| Sizing: | S-XL |
| Material: | Yamamoto 43-cell neoprene |
| Buoyancy: | A mix of 5mm and 3mm panels |
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
