We've been lucky to spend time in wind tunnels over the years and have seen first-hand how some products, notably aero road helmets, perform better at higher speeds than others, and vice versa (and that’s before we get into how yaw angles affect a product’s aerodynamics).
Derby’s Huub Design has taken note and applied this to tri-suit design, spending three years on R&D before releasing two suits in 2023’s Anemoi range.
They are the Sub22 (read our review of the Anemoi Sub22 here) and Plus22, constructed with different fabrics and designed to be more aerodynamically optimal at speeds under or over 22mph (35kmh).
Huub Anemoi 2 Plus 22 review
Comfort
This tester rarely hits speeds of 22mph in a car let alone on the race course, but for a mid/back-of-the-pack triathlete we welcome the Anemoi’s flatlock seams for chafe-free comfort and winning flexibility on such an aero-focussed suit, especially on the shoulders when swimming.
The upper-body ventilation is impressive, while the full-length zipper garage keeps chest scratches at bay.
The chamois from Croatian brand YBC continues the innovation. It essentially consists of three plump gel inserts (one that sits under each cheek, one under the perineum) that elevate the rider above the saddle, reducing weight and increasing the quick-drying abilities by ensuring there’s no wasted padding elsewhere.
It achieves that balance of being supportive enough for multiple hours in the saddle, yet staying problem-free on the run leg, and is a pad that we’d happily see more brands utilise. Some grippier outer fabric to stop slippage on the saddle wouldn’t go amiss, however.
Performance
The aero goods include pinstripes on the sleeves and lengthy laser-cut legs. (There’s a £349.99 Anemoi 2 version with fully-bonded seams developed by aerodynamicist and record-breaking track cyclist Dan Bigham – seams that are said to save an extra four watts over the standard Anemoi suit).
The silicone grippers on the legs tended to flay out a little on the lower legs on the bike and run, though, while it is a tighter fit below the waist.
This Spurs fan personally likes the white and navy-blue colour scheme, but the white frontal area became see-through when wet to reveal some lovely belly hair.
Storage
The tiny duo of rear pockets, barely able to hold a gel each, aren’t ideal for anyone wanting to carry much nutrition, however.
Convenience
Alongside the Zone3 Aeroforce X II, it’s one of the only suits in our recent tri-suits test that doesn’t have a breakaway zipper at the front, increasing aerodynamics but making it harder to pee mid-race, although the zip being relatively low helps.
Overall
So, while we’re self-aware enough to admit that this suit is wasted on us, the extensive development and innovative approach to design make it a strong contender for both short- and long-course speedsters.
And, given everything that’s gone into it, that price tag doesn’t actually feel too bad.
Verdict: Innovation and comfort combine, but we’d like to see a zipper and gripper update.
Score: 85%
