Zone3 Buoyancy Shorts

Triathlon Plus | Gear | Swimming Gear | 22/02/2012 05:00am

2 Comments

We review these novel training shorts from British brand Zone3.

Zone3 Buoyancy Shorts

Zone3 Neoprene Buoyancy Shorts
£42.50
www.racezone3.co.uk

Unique to this British wetsuit company, these smoothskin shorts use five-millimetre neoprene down the front and a three-millimetre thickness on the sides to increase buoyancy without hampering your flexibility in the water.

Designed to replace the pullbuoy by improving body position in the water and simultaneously allowing a natural swim stroke, the shorts also do a great job of emulating the buoyant feeling of a wetsuit while pool swimming but without the self-conscious stares and unbearable overheating that comes with getting suited up indoors.

Once on, the shorts feel comfortable and unrestrictive, though just as with a wetsuit, getting the right size is important. In the water, the effect is really noticeable, making drills and long sessions a breeze without needing extra pool toys. They’re far easier to use than a pull buoy as you don’t have to grip as you swim. The only downside is that it could become easy to rely on them too much.

Verdict
A fantastic swimming aid that should be in every improving triathlete’s kit bag.

Performance 5/5
Value 4/5
Overall 4/5

This review was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine. Save time and money by having every issue delivered to your door or digital device by subscribing to the print edition or buying digitally through Zinio or Apple Newsstand.

You’ll find loads more triathlon gear and kit reviews in triradar.com’s Gear section