The Q36.5 Dottore Thermobolik Winter Skinsuit is a full one-piece winter cycling garment combining a cycling jacket, bib tights, and even a gilet or wind-stopper layer in one. Little wonder it's described as the “Swiss Army Knife of winter training gear” by the brand. At £850 / $1140 it could also be described as bringing a machine-gun to a knife fight. But is it – can it – be worth it's high ticket price? I put it through it's paces at the infamous Darley Moor to find out.

Construction

The primary component used in the upper jacket portion of the skinsuit is the UF Thermo Plus material. It's a super high-density woven proprietary fabric which provides an extra warming effect by attracting far-infrared rays from the environment, according to Q36.5 at least. It's also slightly water repellent to keep showers and road spray at bay. Reflective stripes are placed on the exterior of the sleeves, over the shoulders, and down the side of the torso.

It's clear from the outside this is very serious kit, certainly up there with the very best winter jerseys, and bib tights. It needs to be given this item is more expensive than even Assos's own eyewateringly expensive Jordah Ultraz S11 jacket which we reviewed recently. Internally is where things start to get particularly interesting.

On the front facing panels of the body there is a high density thick fleece material. Then on the sleeves, a more lightweight Air Insulation material has been used for added flexibility and reduced bulk. This also extends over the shoulders and upper back. Across the rear however is a more breathable and thinner material for the expulsion of excess heat to help prevent sweat builds up inside the garment. Behind the full length zip is a wind guard so that the zip is unobstructed for ease of use, but does not allow cold wind in.

On the left shoulder of the jacket portion of the skinsuit is a small hidden section. This zippered segment houses a Windshell membrane. This attaches onto three magnetic attachment points on the lower torso and right shoulder. It can then be stashed away back into this pocket when not required.

At the rear of this jacket portion are the cargo pockets. These are fairly spacious for phones, tools, spares, and food to be housed, but feature a slight lip at the top to prevent items from falling out of the pockets while moving around.

Moving onto the lower portion, and the main material is the UF-Hybrid Shell PLUS. Again, this is proprietary to Q36.5. It is a super high-density woven fabric with an extra warming effect thanks to a smart fiber on the inside face called the Heat Fiber, which is produced from the residue from coffee bean processing. Again, this apparently attracts far-infrared rays from the environment and uses them to heat the body. It is also body mapped with elastic components at the rear for comfort around the knee while the front facing panels are more weather resistant.

Additional features include reflective detailing across the cuff of the legs, while on the side of the hips is a 4D printed reflective grid detailing, which is a lesser version of the GridSkin technology that Q36.5 makes. This is designed to prevent impact bruising as well as road rash in the event of a crash.

Internally the Thermobolik suit uses the Q Lab Air chamois. This utilises a microfibre exterior for frictionless contact with the skin, while two layers move independently to each other in the pad itself so as to remain in contact with the skin and the saddle without rubbing on either.

Just one colour is available, black, while sizes range from XXS to XXL.

The Ride

The first thing this suit reminds me of is the old Castelli Sam Remo Thermosuit, a combination of that brand’s Gabba top half and Sorpasso bib tights. It was cheaper than both items individually, and was designed to be more comfortable, warmer, and have some aerodynamic benefits compared to the two-piece variation.

The Q36.5 Thermobolik doesn’t aim to be more aerodynamic, purely more comfortable and insulated, while actually being slightly more expensive than the sum of it’s parts. But that isn’t particularly fair, given Q36.5 doesn’t actually have a jacket in its range that offers quite what this does.

Putting the suit on, it is certainly snug, without being restrictive. It feels like there's an element of compression on the legs and arms, which I personally find quite comfortable. This also means the cuffs of the arms are not loose, stopping cold air getting up them, while the leg hem stays securely in place.

The most striking thing about this garment is the fleece material on the upper front facing sections. It’s heavy duty stuff, looking like the inside of something like an Oodie. It does add to the bulk a touch, especially on the front where it is situated, but, as I will get to later, it’s highly effective. The lighter duty fleece on the arms and shoulders is far less bulky, while the rear is a brushed material rather than having protruding fibres. On the legs a similar brushed material is used on front facing panels, while behind the knee is more elasticity and breathability, while the rest of the leg is more flexible.

To really test the suit out, I took it up north, to the Darley Dales and the infamously cold and horrid Darley Moor race track. This is notorious in the UK for having its own microclimate, and it delivered. With temperatures in the low single figures, ‘feels like’ of around 0-2˚C, and a mix of biting wind and heavy wet fog, the scene was set to see just how this suit would perform in some harsh wintery weather.

Impeccable is the only way to describe it's capacity to insulate and keep your body warm. Maintaining core temperature is key to staying warm overall, and that thick fleece at the front does a superb job, while the lighter fleecing doesn’t result in any loss of heat. Even with a thinner perforated base layer underneath I was not cold, but more impressively nor was I roasting. I often find that winter jackets leave me too warm, and sweating inside especially with harder efforts. Doing some steep climbs at a high pace, the Thermobolik actually does a fantastic job at keeping you a good temperature and shifting excess heat. This is likely due to the more breathable rear of the suit, and also the fleece inner promoting a degree of movement of air. This is similar to what some grid fleece structures promise, but works better in practice here. There have only been two winter kit items that have managed to keep me both warm at low intensities, and not over heat as intensity ramps up, this and the Assos Johdah S11 jacket. Both unfortunately are extortionately priced.

It means that the Thermobolik is impressively good across a full range of single figure temperatures, and even slightly above that if there’s a chill in the air. I did not expect it to have the breathability it does while offering this level of protection. It’s not waterproof, and doesn’t feature a specific DWR treatment, however the high density fabric has its own water repellent properties without compromising breathability. This is the same for the upper and the lower, and means that spray from the road and showers do not seep through. In the event of heavy rain, a proper rain shell is needed, but the insulation is so impressive that the rain doesn’t really cool you down or result in getting cold.

The Thermobolik has another little trick up its sleeve, or rather tucked away in its shoulder. Within a small zipped up pocket on the left shoulder, is a windshell. This attaches with three magnets onto the body of the suit very easily, and is designed primarily for long alpine descents. It just boosts the insulation that little bit further and works very well in biting wind when sitting in the wheels or descending and work rate decreases. I normally pack a small windproof gilet or such with me for rides at all times, and this feature takes over from that necessity without limiting access to rear pockets.

On to those pockets, and they are nicely spacious for various spares, food and tools. They are however one of the small areas of complaint that I have. For me a skinsuit is always tough to get right, as a medium is spot on for fit around my body an limbs. However, it appears that it isn’t quite long enough, or the fit of the pockets is not ideal. They sit low, which are easy to access, but means that they sit across the point of my back where the spine curves into my hips. This put a bit of pressure from my phone and tool wrap onto my lower back. It wasn’t overly uncomfortable, and riding for 5 hours was still fine. But it detracts a little, and for an item this pricey it has to be mentioned.

Another small gripe is the black only colour option. It’s not very visible in poor weather, even with the large reflective stripes on the wrists, up the arms, and down the side of the body, or with the reflective grids on the hips. Yes, you should ride with some of the best bike lights in the winter which are more effective than high vis, but I’d still like an option other than stealth black.

Discussing the chamois brings me back to the positives. Since Q36.5 introduced the Q Lab Air chamois, it has been one of my favourites. It offers zero friction against the skin, in part due to the top layer material, and also due to the dual layer design meaning that rather than a pad rubbing between a saddle and body, two layers move independently of each other while maintaining contact with body and bike. It’s a highly effective design.

Another benefit to mention of wearing a winter suit rather than a two-piece design, is when it comes to nature breaks. Unzipping a jacket and then pulling down the front bib section of tights can be undignified, and downright difficult. The Thermobolik does what most road going speedsuits does, and has a jersey like front that can be unzipped, but also accessed easily for nature breaks.

I have to say, as I have with most Q36.5 items, that the progress to reduce the carbon footprint and use recycled materials is admirable in the current climate, environmentally and economically. It does mean the cost is not as low as it could be, but personally this is a price I am willing to accommodate; I think it is important to opt for clothing that is made and sourced more ethically. Q36.5 also offers repairs on garments so that the functional lifespan of these kit items is longer, somewhat lessening the hit of that initial price tag.

Value and Conclusion

At £850 / $1140 this is the area where the Thermobolik starts to struggle. Yes it is the amalgamation of several items into one, but it is still more expensive than high end time trial skinsuits that require hours of wind tunnel research and development to create. Even individual components such as a heavy duty winter jacket and bib tights comes up cheaper. The Dottore Termico jacket and tights are £470 / $600 and £330 / $440 respectively so still come up £50 or a $100 shy. It does beat the Assos Johdah Ultraz S11 range which comes un at £630 / $810 for the jacket and £380 / $485 for the tights, but against every other brand offering it far exceeds them.

Yes, it is an exceptional performer. The tights are not constrictive or stiff, while the upper is both insulating and breathable, with solid weather proofing and smart features. It is, arguably, a better performer than most other offerings on the market when it comes to winter performance. But that does not make it the best value. A Rapha Core winter jacket, Pro Team winter tights, and rain cape will still undercut this suit and offer most of the performance and comfort. Not all of it admittedly, but most of it and for a significantly lower cost.

This does mean that the Q36.5 Thermobolik winter suit is not a good value item. Even when you consider the local production, smaller carbon footprint, and use of recycled materials in the creation, it doesn’t make it worth this cost for most people. For those with the money to spare, and want the best regardless of price though, then this is a very effective winter garment that will certainly not leave anyone disappointed. But for those considering budget, there are better value and more suitable options available on the market.

The Q36.5 Thermobolik Winter Skinsuit is an impressively comprehensive winter cycling clothing system. The placement of nearly every material, fabric panel, accessory and fleece choice is meticulously well done to create a supremely breathable, comfortable, insulated, and well protected winter garment. It follows the annoying trend of deep winter kit coming in black, but it does feature sizable reflective detailing, and I always ride with lights.

My only true grip with the design are the pockets, which sit a touch too low so that large items can put pressure on your back. Aside from that, the £850 / $1140 price is a hefty limitation. It’s too expensive for most people, and does not represent good value, but it’s a superb demonstration of technologies melded into one super winter suit.

Australian brand 2XU (which translates to “two-times-you”) has been creating compression-based running, triathlon, and recovery apparel for the past decade. Uniquely, 2XU prioritises muscle compression for improved performance and is proud of its fabrics' performance when put through stringent regular testing.

The Light Speed React kit is the latest edition to 2XU’s triathlon suit line, which includes other models such as the Core and Aero Hex kits. It was developed over 18 months and claims a 17-watt improvement from their 2024 Light Speed sleeved tri suit.

Honestly, 2XU is not all that widely available here in the U.S. Still, when I heard about its 18-month development period, claimed performance improvements and their slightly different approach to the WYN Republic Cda I also recently tested, I had to give it a shot.

Construction

The Light Speed React suit was released in February 2025 after a year and a half of wind tunnel testing, research, and development. As noted before, 2XU is first and foremost a compression apparel brand. Unlike other triathlon apparel companies, 2XU placed great emphasis on achieving an elite tri kit that was not only aerodynamic and had cooling properties but also offered superior muscle compression.

The kit is a classic polyester, spandex, and nylon blend, but one neat thing about the Light Speed React is that the shorts are made from 65% recycled nylon. Yes, this is a drop in the ocean, but it's good to see brands using more recycled textiles whenever possible and should be commended when they do.

Notably, the Light Speed React fabric includes HeiQ Smart Temp technology, which claims to be able to “sense” a rise in body temperature and “respond” by increasing sweat evaporation through the fabric for optimised cooling.

According to 2xu, the HeiQ Smart Temp technology kept athletes up to 4.5°f cooler than in non-HeiQ fabrics.

I'd like to briefly mention the colours of this kit, as they are quite stunning. The deep purple shorts and an ombre sherbet-colored top are a nice departure from the typical white, black, and navy blues seen in many triathlon kits.

• Flat overlock seam finishes
• 2XU’s PWX fabric delivers over twice the muscle support of competitor suits
• HeiQ Smart Temp technology in the fabric of the kit
• SBR silicone ridges across arms and shoulders to reduce drag
• SBR “skin lite” 160gsm stretch interlock wicks sweat away from upper body
• Large centre back aero pocket with dual side access as well as internal nutrition pockets
• Ice pocket on back neck for improve endurance performance in heat
• Full length semi-auto lock zipper
• TMF Light Speed Tri Chamois dual layer 90 density high impact / 140 density superlight foam and no foam at the external edge of the pad, allowing for flat stitching

The Ride

As was true with the WYN Republic CdA kit I tested, Colorado is still too cold in March to accurately test a kit with cooling properties outside, so I took to the trainer to test the Light Speed React on a two-hour ride (no fan was used).

I put on the kit in preparation for the ride and was immediately surprised at how short the torso portion is. It fit my shoulders, biceps, and back well, but the torso almost seemed intentionally designed to pull upwards at the bottom of the zipper, as confirmed by their marketing images.

I wasn’t a big fan of this. I kept wanting to tug the torso downwards out of habit, but there was not enough fabric for it to go any farther down. This didn’t end up bothering me as I rode, but stylistically, it looked and felt a bit awkward; I couldn’t help but think that over the course of the marathon portion of an Ironman, this could be an annoying style choice, as kits tend to ride up your torso as you run.

I initially thought, “This kit was not made for tall people, like myself.”

As I began my ride, I was pleased with how flexible the back and shoulders of the kit were while tucked in my aero bars. However, I was less pleased with how quickly the shorts of the kit bunched up in the front and inside of my groin.

I had the same gripe with the WYN Republic CdA kit: I am tall and have extremely broad shoulders, so I need a size large for my back and shoulder width, but my hips and legs best fit a medium. This leaves me with the choice of wearing a medium and feeling restricted, or wearing a large and contending with extra fabric usually around the groin.

The Light Speed React kit’s shorts bunched up far more than the CdA kit’s did, to the point where I had to stop pedalling a few times to tug the shorts back down into place. By the end of the ride, I had developed two hotspots where my inner thighs met my groin from the inner thigh seam.

If I had selected a size medium or the large fitted better around my legs, I'd likely not face this problem. Given that “wide shoulders and leaner legs” is a fairly common body type in triathlon, I felt it was of note and a bit of a miss by 2XU. Additionally, according to the size chart, I should have firmly been a large in both the top and bottom, which is doubly frustrating.

The kit did live up to its promise of keeping me cool and dry, and I was impressed by how fast the entire kit wicked away sweat. For a ride that definitely had me sweating, the Light Speed React kit wasn’t sopping wet by the end, and my core temperature felt well-regulated.

Value and Conclusion

The Light Speed React kit costs $350 USD, which I think is a fair price for what is marketed as an elite triathlon kit.

I appreciated the attention to detail in the kit's aesthetics, including multiple pockets for nutrition and ice storage. This is all before you even get to how well the fabric performs or how well it reduces drag.

I wish I’d gotten to experience a bit more of the muscle compression that 2xu touts, but some of that is my own unique challenge with finding a tri kit that fits my wide shoulders and narrow hips and legs. However, the torso and leg fabric felt well-made and durable, as did the chamois.

Shelling out $350 USD for some spandex and nylon panels stitched together is still quite the purchase. It's considerably less than the WYN, of course, but still firmly at the enthusiasts' end of the market. Given the fit sizing issues with the Light Speed React, I'd be inclined to look at 2XU's other less advanced offerings in the $100—and $200 range for the savings.

In all, the Light Speed React is a well-designed kit with a few awkward aspects—the short torso and the hotspots in the groin—but if it fits your body well, it is a solid temperature-regulating kit with a lot of research and development behind it.

Multisport brand WYN Republic was founded in 2017 by two former professional long course triathletes, husband-and-wife duo Beth and Luke McKenzie.

Since its inception, WYN Republic (WYN, for short) has focused on small-batch, finely crafted running, cycling, triathlon, and athleisure apparel with crisp colors and clean designs.

The McKenzies specialise in Iron-distance triathlons (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run), and when they launched WYN, they wanted to make a triathlon kit that was comfortable enough and stylish enough to keep its wearer happy for a race of 140.6 miles.

Today, WYN Republic offers three “families” of tri suits: Hi Velocity, Luceo, and, most recently, CdA (coefficient of aerodynamic drag), which I will review here. With one of the industry’s highest prices for a tri kit, I knew this kit needed to be tested for comfort, fit, and aerodynamics.

Construction

While WYN has always prioritised aerodynamics in addition to comfort and style, the CdA suit is its most technically advanced kit yet. It took nearly two years to design and test in the pursuit of every Watt.

The CdA kit comes in a nifty black matte box covered in the CdA equation and other math-y looking details. Similar to how an Apple product box seems to “pause” before fully opening, so too does the CdA kit box. You feel like you’re opening something luxe.

The kit's legs feel hydrophobic and “matte” in the sense that I wouldn’t describe them as silky, but they are soft. The legs have side pockets that lay flat against the side of one’s thighs and are so flush with the rest of the leg fabric that I didn’t notice them at first. Additionally, the legs offer coverage down to just a couple of inches(5 cm) above where the leg bends at the knee.

The top of the one-piece kit is soft, too, but again, I wouldn’t describe it as silky. It feels sturdy and high-quality. Ripples in the arm coverings go to just above the elbow and part of the torso. These ripples make an appearance in many top-level tri-kits as a way to disrupt airflow and result in a… You guessed it… lower CdA.

• Italian ultra-lightweight textile technology with Italian aerodynamic textured ribbed fabric on sleeves and torso side panels
• Swiss Coldblack fabric front panel with treated cooling qualities
• Fabric offers UV protection of SPF 35+
• Ice pocket on the back of neck, two internal front pockets, two pockets on the side of each thigh
• Micro-mesh underarm panels for hyper-flexibility and unrestricted swim stroke
• Dolomiti Grigno triathlon specific 3mm chamois
• Signature "full zip" front opening with flip-lock YKK zipper.
• Heat bonded arm cuffs
• Seamless shorts construction
• Precision laser cut hem openings with integrated silicone leg gripper for a seamless finish
• One style: white top with black shorts
• Sizes: XS through XXL
• A wee bit of soft fabric that prevents the zipper from chafing your sternum area - a great touch!

The Ride

Because it is still too frigid in Colorado to test a tri suit - and one with cooling capabilities - outside, I tested the CdA kit for a two-hour-long trainer ride indoors. I rode my tri bike and spent most of the ride in the aero position, as one would during a half or full-distance Ironman.

The first thing I noticed is that the kit feels well-constructed. There were no crackling sounds of threads stretching or breaking as I pulled the kit on, and the kit immediately sat on my body without the need to tug the fabric into place.

The second observation I had was that the kit is surprisingly stretchy. In the past, the more aerodynamic a tri kit claimed to be, the stiffer its fabric was. This may have been an attempt to “lock” a kit into place on one’s body to minimise any fabric drag.

Regardless, the CdA kit had plenty of stretch, especially in the underarms and back, which is critical for the swim portion of a triathlon. Additionally, I am quite tall at six feet with extremely broad shoulders, and in the past, this has meant fighting with other women’s kits to get the kit to zip. I was pleased that the size-large women’s CdA kit zipped up with no problem and fit my expansive shoulders and back without a fight.

My 0.5-star reduction comes from that same stretch applied to the kit's shorts. Some may brush this off as a personal gripe and not worthy of a ½ star detraction, but for as well as the top half fit, the shorts of the CdA kit were just a smidge too large, bunching up in the front of my groin more than I’d like the longer I pedalled. This didn’t cause me any chafing, but it was noticeable enough to warrant a mention in this review.

This issue may be specific to my anatomy - those size-large broad shoulders are paired with size-medium hips and thighs - but that body type isn’t rare in triathlon, so I thought it was worth mentioning. I think I’d almost need a “medium tall” size to find the perfect fit in not just the CdA suit but also most women’s triathlon kits.

Besides the slightly lengthy shorts part of the kit, the CdA kit felt like a feather-light second skin as I grinded away on the trainer. It was incredibly light and breathable, with no hotspots forming even as the sweat dripped down my back and legs. I was impressed by how quickly the leg fabric dried and how cool my core stayed in the torso fabric (and I rode the trainer with no fan on, folks).

Perhaps most importantly for triathletes, the chamois was barely there but also very comfortable. It was so nice, in fact, that I forgot I was wearing a thinner triathlon-specific chamois and felt just as satisfied with the CdA chamois as I would in thicker cycling bibs.

Value and Conclusion

When I consider the type of athlete—elite—and the racing conditions—hot and humid—this kit was made for, I would recommend it in a heartbeat. Its attention to detail, like the internal pockets, cooling fabric, and rippled torso panels, is obvious and effective.

The CdA kit has also proven its worth on the race course, with notable results like Ironman World Champion, Chelsea Sodaro's win in the 2024 Ironman New Zealand and Leon Chevalier's fourth-place finish at Kona last season.

For $700, though, this is not a kit for everyone; in fairness, it’s not marketed that way. This kit is listed for triathletes looking to gain every possible legal aerodynamic edge across mid- and long-distance triathlons. And often, those types of triathletes are also the type to drop $700 on a kit, especially one that claims to save seven minutes over an Iron-distance.

This kit's “second skin” feeling immediately appealed to me for the types of triathlons I love: those in hot and humid conditions. When cycling in places like the Kona lava fields, you want the “coolest” gear, in both the temperature and style.

Ultimately, this is a hyper-elite triathlon kit for true enthusiasts who are looking for a PB or to be competitive, rather than just a finisher - just don’t tell your accountant.

The Pro SL Road Suit gives you the advantages of a single piece – no bib straps, lighter weight and better airflow, but unlike many road suits doesn’t look like a one piece or zip you up uncomfortably. It uses Endura’s excellent seatpad, available in three widths, and its fabric reflects heat to keep you cooler. It’s a one piece that we’d be happy to ride in all day, which is why it features in our Editor’s Choice selection of the best kit we’ve used in 2018.

The Endura Pro SL Roadsuit combines Endura’s excellent, top-of-the-line Pro SL II bibshorts with a Pro SL jersey into a single garment.

Having an all-in-one shorts and jersey combo has a few advantages: you dispense with the bibs from the shorts and save a bit of weight, while still having a full-length zip for ventilation and to take the Pro SL Roadsuit off and on.

The in-built jersey does a good job of keeping the shorts in place, without the extra layer of fabric and the shoulder straps of standard bibshorts. There’s an elastic front to the shorts that is significantly lower on the torso than standard bibs; the extra airflow over the stomach is immediately noticeable.

The bottom half of the Endura Pro SL Roadsuit is the same as the brand’s Pro SL II bibshorts and comes with the same features. So there are internal leg grippers, a stealth black-on-black Endura logo on the legs and effective internal leg grippers. And as with the bibshorts, you can choose from three different widths of the top-notch 700 series pad to fit your sitbone anatomy. Endura dealers will measure you up or you can make your own estimate of which seatpad is likely to fit.

>>> Hot weather cycling: five tips to help you keep your cool

The top half of the Pro SL Roadsuit is Endura’s Pro SL jersey. Whereas that piece comes in five different colours, the Roadsuit is black only. You still get three well sized open rear pockets plus a zipped one and a reflective tab built in.

Both the Pro SL bibshorts and jersey are Coldblack treated, as is the Pro SL Roadsuit. Coldblack reflects non-visible light from the sun in the UV and IR wavebands, reducing heat build-up as well as providing SPF 50 sun protection. I certainly found the Pro SL Roadsuit comfortable in hot conditions, with the full length zip allowing you to adjust airflow yet more. You’re not so stitched in that you can’t take a rest stop either.

As with the Pro SL II bibshorts, the fit of the Pro SL Roadsuit is not as close as many makers’ bottom halves and there’s a bit of extra room in the jersey part too. Although I was fine in a medium, which is my normal size, I could have almost certainly dropped down to a size small and still felt comfortable.

At £180, the Pro SL Roadsuit is not cheap. But it undercuts the price of the two separate garments by £15, is lighter and is more comfortable for high intensity activities like crit racing too. If you’re self-conscious, the design doesn’t make it obvious that you’re wearing a onesie.

The disadvantage is that it’s black only. And if you wash out, you’ll quite likely need to replace the whole lot rather than just the top or bottom of a two piece ensemble.

Castelli claims that the Body Paint, now in it's third iteration, is one of the fastest off the peg skin suits you can buy. Cutting edge custom suits will often be faster, but unless you are Sir Brad, the high price is hard to justify. Custom suits are even hard to justify when you consider they are often only optimal for a handful of rides, after which they stretch slightly to become no faster than a normal suit. Having spoken to Dr Hutch he described it a skin suits 'dying.'

>>> The best time trial bikes and triathlon bikes: a buyer's guide 

>>> How much speed can you buy (video)?

Sizing is key and 69kgs and 185cm I squeezed into a size small. While wearing the suit I was unable to stand up straight for fear of irreversible damage to my reproductive equipment, but the on bike fit was superbly aero, with zero bunching. The special fabrics used are more aerodynamic than skin, so the legs are cut slightly longer and suit has sleeves. The thumb loops are really useful for holding the sleeves in place.

>>> How much faster does a skin suit make you?

This is a quality skinsuit and very popular on the UK domestic time trial scene. I can report that it is very fast too. During some recent drag coefficient testing, I achieved roughly a 10 watt improvement at 40 kph using the body paint over the Specialized S-Works Evade Race suit, something which roughly translates to 16 seconds in a 10 mile tt.

>>> Read how Richard Bussell won the national 10 mile tt on a bike that cost just £1000

  Video - How much speed can you buy?

However, I wanted to put it to the test properly so headed to South Cave for a 10 mile time trial on the V718 promoted by Team Swift.

The suit performed superbly, and I achieved a pb time of 19:35. Although this is a fast suit and feels slippery through the air, it isn't the most comfortable piece of cycling clothing I have worn. I do have to perform a certain amount of arranging downstairs as the chamois has a tendency to wedgy slightly on me. I can put up with this for a 10 or 25 mile tt but it might be a problem in a 50 or 100 miler though.

>>> How much difference do TT wheels make (video)?

The only other issue I have with the Castelli Body Paint skinsuit is the lack of number pocket. I have heard conflicting data about the the aero benefit of a 'No Pinz' style number pocket, but what can't be argued with is the convenience. No doubt some people enjoy asking strangers in car parks to pin numbers to their posterior. This often involves 'assuming the position,' bent over, almost inevitably resulting in your bum being pinched. Simply sliding a number into a pocket is much quicker and convenient. Anything for an easy life.

The Castelli Body Paint suit does feature a flap to cover the top leading edge of the race number though. A neat idea, but I think Castelli should offer a number pocket option at the point of purchase. Compared with a £40 pair of shorts £144 is expensive for a suit, but when you look at it in terms of cost per watts saved, a suit like this really is a no-brainer, when compared to fancy wheels or a £4000 TT frame. For more info head over to Castelli.

NoPinz and Aerocoach previously collaborated to create the Nopinz Trip Sockz which have had huge success in the domestic time trial scene.

With the NoPinz/Aerocoach ATS Trip Suit the two companies have combined trip strip technology and the NoPinz number pocket system (as used by WorldTour teams LottoNL-Jumbo and FDJ) to create a skinsuit that is designed to help you cheat the wind.

>>> Is it necessary to buy an expensive skinsuit, or will a cheap one do?

Trip strips run down your arms. The theory is that the raised strips “trip” the air keeping attached to your body for longer, which in turn reduces drag.

NoPinz and Aerocoach have used Computational Fluid Design and real world testing to establish the optimum position of the trip strips.  Depending on your size and the distance between your aero pads you are to opt for a suit with trip strips in an “open” or “closed” aero position.

>>> The best time trial bikes and triathlon bikes: a buyer's guide 

Watch: how much speed can you buy?

Nopinz made its name off the back of its integrated number system. You insert your number into the transparent pocket from within the suit- it is definitely advisable to put the number in place before putting on the suit!

The pocket has two main functions – it keeps the number flush to your lower back, meaning it won’t flap about in the wind wasting watts; and, removes the need to put pins through your suit which should improve its longevity.

>>> How much faster does a skinsuit make you? (video)

The NoPinz/Aerocoach ATS Trip Suit has a tight snug fit and feels fast (it helped me to two PBs), but it’s not all about aerodynamics. A flap at the neck prevents the zip causing any irritation; the silicon wrist and leg grippers stop the suit riding up; the netted back and side panels help keep you well ventilated; and, the CoolMax chamois provides a comfortable ride even on longer time trials when you are sat in an aggressive position.

The suit comes in both men’s and women’s specific deigns and there are various colour options to choose from- for an additional £40 you can opt for a bespoke colour scheme.

Overall the NoPinz/Aerocoach ATS Trip Suit is hard to fault, however the finish of the suit is not quite as high as some other, albeit more expensive, skinsuits on the market.

For more details visit the Nopinz website.