Orca Athlex Aero Race Suit V2: I’ve found my perfect fit

In triathlon, marginal gains are everything and that same logic applies to your tri suit, which is why Orca has given its popular Athlex Aero Race Suit a notable refresh for 2026.

Designed to deliver speed, comfort and practicality without demanding a second mortgage, the new Orca Athlex Aero V2 packs plenty of tech into a surprisingly accessible package. Aerodynamics sit at the heart of the design, with a specially textured fabric across the shoulders, sleeves and back, said to reduce drag, while highly elastic materials are used to promote unrestricted movement.

Orca Athlex Aero Race Suit V2 design

Another area they’ve doubled down on is the coolness of the suit. Orca’s Vapour Cool technology features nanocrystal-based fabrics that are designed to accelerate sweat evaporation, regulate body temperature and provide light compression without compromising comfort or flexibility.

Meanwhile, its 4mm Tri-Tech chamois aims to strike that elusive balance between offering genuine support during the bike leg and remaining virtually unnoticed once it’s time to run. If you were to go by the specs alone, you’d understandably feel like you’d found your perfect sparring partner.

But how does the V2 cut it when you throw it in at the deep-end? Well, to find out, I’ve spent this past month doing everything short of sleeping in it, clocking lots of miles by foot, by bike and bobbing around in lakes.   

Orca Athlex Aero Race Suit V2 fit and features

First things first, I’ve got to start by praising the fit of the Athlex. As individual as our bodies are, I’ve never found a tri-suit that’s felt anywhere near as comfy or supportive as this, without any tight areas or annoying seams to moan about.

I was also sold on the full-zip front panel, which makes getting in and out of the garment an absolute doddle. Whilst a built-in six-pack would have been a nice feature, I was still able to appreciate the voluminous rear pocket (dual apertures) that could easily accommodate a handful of gels and my phone.

Another pocket somewhere wouldn’t have gone a miss, for used gels and whatnot, but I appreciate how counter-productive that could have been for the pursuit of aero greatness. 

Orca Athlex Aero Race Suit V2 performance

My first outing in the suit consisted of a 3-kilometre swim and a 100km cycle. In both disciplines, I had nothing but praise for the Orca. The lower neckline and flexible panels were welcome qualities in the water, whilst the claimed quick drying material did just that once I was back on dry land.

I’ve cycled hundred of miles in this suit and from the very outset, the degree of comfort on tap has been hard to fault. As pleasantly snug as the Athlex feels, there’s so much flex in the material that going into a full-aero tuck isn’t met with resentment, swear words or the cutting off of circulation to limbs.

As for the chamois, I’ve got no complaints to make. I’ve run a couple of half marathons in the suit and the chamois never once felt intrusive, though I did get a bit of chafing from the zip on my torso. A small price to pay for such a well-rounded suit that otherwise offers good levels of comfort and top-tier ventilation. I’m genuinely looking forward to competing in it.