Detailed Testing results

Zone3 collaborated with Loughborough Sport to independently evaluate how wetsuit design impacts triathlon swimming performance. 
 
Three athletes of different experience levels completed four controlled 750 m swims: 
one without a wetsuit, then in the Agile (entry-level), Vision (mid-level), and Vanquish-X (elite). 

THE TESTING AIMED TO EVALUATE CHANGES IN:

  1. Swim performance (time to complete 750 m) 
  2. Stroke efficiency (distance per stroke and Swolf score) 
  3. Physiological load (blood lactate accumulation)
  4. Perceived exertion (RPE)

Testing Protocol

Conducted over two sessions at Loughborough Sport (June 2025)

Distance

4 x 750 m swims per athlete (1 non-wetsuit + 3 wetsuit trials)

Intensity

Fixed perceived effort to maintain comparable exertion across trials

Metrics

Swim time and average pace

Distance per stroke (efficiency) 

Swolf (time + strokes per length) 

Pre- and post-swim blood lactate concentration

Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg Scale) 

RESULTS SUMMARY

These results indicate that performance improvements increased progressively with wetsuit tier.

Athletes swam faster and more efficiently at the same perceived effort — suggesting reduced drag, improved body position, and greater hydrodynamic support.
Results by Wetsuit
Findings by
Athlete Level 

Beginner Swimmer 

Entry and mid-tier suits delivered the largest gains, improving comfort, body alignment, and energy conservation.

Intermediate Swimmer

For this athlete, the lower-tier suits did not outperform the non-wetsuit swim. Only the Vanquish-X produced clear gains in speed and reduced physiological load, reflecting the importance of fit, technique, and experience in wetsuit performance.

Advanced Swimmer  

For experienced athletes, the elite suit enabled greater speed and efficiency without increased perceived effort, supporting its advantage at higher intensity.

Endurance and Energy Cost 

True endurance testing requires repeated trials to exhaustion, which was outside the scope of this study. 

However, because athletes maintained the same perceived effort across all swims, improvements in speed, stroke efficiency, and (in most cases) lower lactate accumulation suggest reduced physiological cost — and therefore a potential improvement in endurance capacity.

Scientific Integrity & Limitations  

This was a case study of three swimmers; results cannot be generalised statistically. 
Heart-rate data were incomplete and not included in comparative analysis. 
Intensity control was subjective (perceived effort), introducing natural variation. 
Despite these limitations, the consistency of directional improvements provides reliable, real-world insight into how wetsuit technology influences performance. 

Key Takeaways

Independent testing at Loughborough University demonstrated measurable improvements in speed, efficiency, and physiological response across the Zone3 wetsuit range. 
Performance benefits scaled with wetsuit tier, with the Vanquish-X delivering the largest gains. 
Individual variation was observed — particularly for the intermediate athlete — underscoring that fit and familiarity play key roles in wetsuit performance. 
While endurance was not directly measured, improved efficiency and reduced physiological load suggest a lower energy cost per stroke. 

Conclusion

These findings provide independent, evidence-based validation that Zone3 wetsuits deliver measurable performance and efficiency benefits in controlled testing. 
Whether chasing your first triathlon finish or marginal gains at elite level, the data shows that design, material innovation, and athlete-driven testing translate into real-world improvements. 

Athlete Approved. Performance Proven.