Gill Pursuit review: Your all-rounder wetsuit for chill waters
Is this entry-level wetsuit a good buy for triathletes? Editor and open-water swimming coach Helen Webster finds out...
220 Triathlon Verdict
Not for serious swimmers or PBs, but good for casual water-users. Score: 73%
Pros
- More durable than a triathlon wetsuit
- Pretty warm
- Versatile
Cons
- Non-swim specific
- Slow for swimming
The Gill Pursuit Wetsuit is aimed at those wanting to enjoy the water for outdoor pursuits, whether that be stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or outdoor swimming.
Here at 220 we’re used to trying all the best triathlon wetsuits, so it can be easy to forget sometimes that not everyone is in the market for a tri-specific swimming wetsuit.
So is there a space in the market for something a little less heavy on the tech (and the wallet?).
How we tested the best wetsuits for triathlon
Our expert reviewers tested the wetsuits in lakes and the sea to assess how they coped with the sea temperature, waves and currents. They also evaluated their comfort, buoyancy, build quality, hydrodynamics, zip, removal speed, value for money and aesthetics. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Design and performance
Available in both men’s and women’s sizing, with women’s, as tested here, in sizes 8-18, the suit is constructed with warmth in mind and as such features a mix of 4mm and 3mm uncoated neoprene.
For added cold-reduction it features glued and blind-stitched construction with critical taping on the inside to keep the warmth in and cold water out.
The benefits of this are that this is certainly a warm wetsuit and one that served us well for dips over the coldest months of the year.
Fit and comfort
What you gain in warmth you lose in hydrodynamics and flexibility, though, as there is none of the swim-specific technology we’re used to in swimming wetsuits, such as hydrophobic-coated neoprene, buoyancy profiles, or thinner fabric in areas such as the shoulders to allow more stretch.
Tri wetsuits are notoriously fragile though, which this suit is not…
So if you’re a newbie, or a casual swimmer looking for a do-it-all suit with longevity, then there may be a gap in the market for a more adaptable wetsuit like this.
Looking for more open-water swimming gear? Check out our reviews of the best cold-water swimming hats and the best cold-water swimming gloves.
Meet our tester:
Helen Webster is 220Triathlon’s editor and experienced wetsuit tester. Helen is an open-water swim coach and keen triathlete and swim runner athlete herself. These days, Helen spends more time in the water testing wetsuits and goggles than on dry land, she’s the most experienced wetsuit tester 220’s ever had.
Gill Pursuit Wetsuit specs
| Price | $180 / £120 |
| Material | 4mm/3mm zoned neoprene, thermal fleece lining, internal taping |
| Sizing | Men’s S-2XL; women’s 8-18 |
| Features | Neoprene knee guards, back zip with long puller |
Helen Webster
Editor, 220 Triathlon 
