Orca RS1 Dream Kona tri-suit review
Could this propel you to long-course euphoria? We find out
Orca RS1 Dream Kona tri-suit review
The RS1 Dream Kona race suit from Orca has some pedigree behind it, with Sebastian Kienle wearing the sleeved version to victory in the Ironman World Championships last October.
>>> Best tri-suits review 2015
The ‘Carbon6’ fabric used in the construction is water-repellent, with the aim of increasing speed in the swim and proving lightening quick to dry once on land.
And during the test period this proved true; this is a remarkably fast suit in the water, without a swimskin or wetsuit over it and regardless of the front zipper.
Padding in the relevant area is always something of a compromise in a long-distance suit, as it needs to be thick enough to provide up to 180km of protection on the bike and avoid any chafing on the run.
Again the RS1 achieves these goals impressively with its 6mm ‘Breathe Lite’ chamois. The only very small negative is the lack of storage space in what is a dedicated long-distance suit.
Two small pockets on the back (with handy flaps to cover the tops) are barely enough for two gels each, so you’ll need to come up with other solutions for carrying any extra nutrition or additional items that you might need over the course of a long day out.
Verdict: A highly competent suit that performs at the highest level, 92%
Contact : www.orca.com
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
