Jim is an accomplished triathlete and endurance cyclist, and has raced in more than 35 USAT-certified races. He is also an avid trail runner and endurance gravel bike rider. Jim is a founder of Complete Tri and frequent writer on triathlon and cycling.
The products of this brand are rich in quality and have been worn by many Olympic Gold Medalists and Ironman World Champions. Ariana Kukros, the World Champion in 2009 and 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Grevers wore TYR performance swimwear. We have always appreciated TYR’s fit, and especially the durability of its products. In our experience, TYR’s triathlon products tend to have a longer lifespan than many other products of similar price points. In addition to a good line of wetsuits, TYR also makes triathlon shorts, suits, and tops, making it one of the more complete makers of triathlon gear.
The TYR wetsuit naming convention is simple. Everything they offer is named a TYR Hurricane, and the higher the Category, the higher-end the wetsuit. A Hurricane Category 5 is the top end wetsuit, while the Hurricane Category 1 is the entry-level wetsuit.
TYR Category 5 Hurricane provides free motion to triathletes who do not want to remain constrained around their neck and arms areas. Most athletes prefer this free motion and look for suits that make them feel comfortable. This triathlon wetsuit is similar to the Yamamoto SCR Rubber which is the lightest and most elastic material available in the market. The list price of this swimsuit is around $625.
The TYR Category 5 Hurricane has firm fitting wrist cuffs that keep the water away from your wrists and Quick Release Ankle Cuffs allow water to slide from your hands to feet.
In a gist, this wetsuit helps you keep moving and does not resist your movement under water. It is not a regular training suit for the first-timer, but if you are an experienced triathlete in search of a suit that should be light and good in performance, you can opt for this suit. It is in a category with some of the best triathlon wetsuits on the market from other makers like Blue Seventy and Orca, and it holds its own against them.
Another feature that the Category 3 shares with the Category 5 is the catch panel on the wetsuit forearms. Like some other manufacturers are attempting to do, TYR puts thick graded panels on the forearms to provide for a stronger swim stroke for the triathlete.
Features such as the neck and zipper are of good quality, but generally comparable to that of other makers’ wetsuits at this particular price point. In short, if you are looking for a high quality wetsuit suitable for longer swims, but without the frills of the high-end suits, the TYR Category 3 Hurricane is worth a look. A strong case could be made that the Category 3 Hurricane is the best all-around combination of performance and value from the TYR lineup.
What you give up with the Category 1 vs. the Category 3 or 5 are two of the key performance features that more experienced racers or those swimming longer distances may look for. Namely, the 360 Core Stabilization System is not included, causing the swimmer to perhaps not sit as high in the water while swimming, and the forearm panels that provide wearers of higher-end wetsuits with stronger strokes are not built in to the TYR.
Still, the Category 1 is a good all-around wetsuit and very suitable for those who are getting into the sport of triathlon. Depending on what price you can find it at (wetsuits are notorious for being on sale), this is a solid all-around wetsuit that goes head-to-head with other entry level and very comparable suits from other makers, such as the Orca S3 or the Quintana Roo Ultrafull.
