Zone3 Activate+ Short Sleeve tri-suit review
The Zone3 Activate+ Short Sleeve delivers standout style and race-day performance at an accessible price. With eco-friendly materials and smart design touches, it’s a solid pick for sprint and Olympic-distance triathletes.
220 Triathlon Verdict
Well-priced and well-made suit primed for short course racing. Score: 83%
Pros
- Affordable with trickle-down tech
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Sustainable materials
Cons
- Limited storage capacity
- Minimal padding
Our race-day supporters will certainly see you coming in the Activate+ Short Sleeve tri-suit from British brand Zone3, with its orange, sky blue and yellow colourway.
Thankfully, the dark panel below the waist is more modest. Zone3 only offer this colourway for both male and female racers (female version here), and there’s also a sleeveless version for a tenner less.
How we test tri-suits
Each tri-suit we review gets put through the same level of testing, including numerous bike, bike, runs, triathlons, AND brick sessions, of varying distances over the period of several weeks at a minimum. We test against a range of criteria, including comfort, breathability, support, stability, pocket capacity, durability, aerodynamics, and value. For more details, see how we rate and test products.
Design and features
The Activate+ SS is a likeable suit with plenty of trickledown tech from Zone3’s costlier contenders. The leg bands are especially impressive, with silicone beads holding them in place on the legs to give a secure yet unrestrictive fit.
The lengthy arm sleeves also have bands, albeit they’re less techy than their lower leg siblings, which limit the water ingress on pool swims (and stop the sleeves riding up under a wetsuit).
That near-elbow length should also increase the aerodynamic appeal given material is often recorded as being faster through the air (and water) than skin.
Onto the pad and its slender nature makes it trouble-free on the run, but I’d really want more cushioning if I was attempting a 90km middle-distance bike leg in this.
I’d also demand more stashing space than the one single rear pocket, which can hold about three energy gels at best, although its open nature makes it easy to access on the bike and run (that open top is less beneficial for hydrodynamics on any pool swims).
Comfort and performance
I experienced no comfort issues from the seams within and the full-length zipper garage prevented any scratchiness from the zip.
Those wanting to race middle-distance and up in this may well want a breakaway zipper for pre- and mid-race toilet convenience, however (I certainly do).
The sizing felt on the money as well, although worth noting is that Zone3 don’t offer an XS version in this suit for any smaller or slimmer athletes below around 5′ 6″/168cm tall and weighing less than 137lb/62kg.
The 100% recycled materials are a further boon, especially on a suit at this sub-$200/£150 price-point, and the recycled mesh back panel that runs the length of the spine will be welcome on midsummer racing days.
The material felt reasonably breathable as well and is silky on the skin, but there was a visible element of body hair through the fabric (a handful of hairs also protruded through the material, which wasn’t the best look).
Overall, then, the Activate+ Short Sleeve ticks the affordability and performance boxes for sprint- and Olympic-distance racing, and the materials and seam construction suggest it’ll last a good number of triathlon seasons.
Now it’s up to you to pull off that ice lolly-esque colour scheme…
For more tri-suit reviews, check out our best tri-suits in 2025 article.
Zone3 Activate+ SS tri-suit specs
| Price | $189 / £139 |
| Sizing | S-XXL (Zone3 sizing) |
| Pockets | 1 rear |
| Breakaway zip? | No |
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
