Up until the Sumarpo Vanguard triathlon wetsuit landed on my desk for review, the ZONE3 Vanquish X wetsuit had been my suit of choice for training and for my ‘A’ race (Challenge Almere-Amsterdam) in the 2023 race season – ticking all the boxes I was after in terms of buoyancy and flexibility around the shoulders. But what struck me about the Sumarpo Vanguard, was how similar it felt to my ZONE3 suit to swim in.
While these wetsuits are pretty different in terms of design, style and price point. They actually share quite a few similarities. From the buoyancy profiles, to the use of Aerodome technology and ultra-flexible linings. To the point where I’d been struggling to decide which suit I preferred – and therefore which one to use at my two 2024 ‘A’ races: Challenge Roth and IRONMAN Tallinn. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to do a side by side comparison of both wetsuits to see which one comes out on top.
Features, tech and pricing
Before we dive into how these two wetsuits have performed out in the real world. Let’s take a look at a side-by-side comparison of the tech they come loaded with, key features and how they compare in terms of RRP.
RRP: $559.99 USD / £459.95 GBP / €527.95 EUR
Buoyancy profile: 5mm core and upper legs, 3mm lower legs, 1.5mm shoulders
Yamamoto neoprene
Aerodome cell technology for added warmth and buoyancy
Super Composite Skin coating to reduce drag
SQ Flex Stretch lining for enhanced flexibility and fast removal
Grooved forearm panels for better catch
‘Low Modulus Tech’ said to reduce required effort per arm stroke
Quick-release ankle cuffs
Eco-friendly materials with non-benzene adhesives
RRP: £699 / $995 USD / €849 EUR
Available to purchase on Amazon: Women’s | Men’s
Buoyancy profile: 5mm core and upper legs, 2mm lower legs, 1-1.5mm shoulders, 0.3mm arms
Yamamoto Bio-Rubber – emits infrared rays and said to enhance blood flow
Alpha Titanium lining on the upper body to improve warmth
Aerodome cell technology on the legs
NBR (used in lifejackets) material for added buoyancy
Body rotation enhancement on the chest for better distance per stroke
Ultra-thin 0.3mm sleeves
Cool-spot forearm panels for better feel and catch
Silk X lining for fast removal
Fit and comfort
Both the Sumarpo Vanguard and the ZONE3 Vanquish X feel true to size, with the size small fitting me pretty well in both wetsuits. At 5ft 4”/163cm, the ZONE3 is a touch long in the arms for me meaning I can get some wrinkling around the elbows. I could probably do with cutting it down a bit. Whereas the Sumarpo is the ideal length in the arms and legs for me right out of the box.
Both wetsuits are fairly easy to get on – as far as wetsuits go – as they both have flexible ‘easy on’ linings. I’d say the ZONE3 Vanquish X does feel a little more arduous to pull into place, with the Aerodome technology sitting in the legs it makes them feel a bit less flexible than the Sumarpo. For me, I’ve also noticed the thicker-feeling legs on the ZONE3 feel a bit restrictive – particularly around the back of my knees. Whereas the Sumarpo feels a lot more flexible to move around in.
The material on the arms on the ZONE3 is incredibly thin – I’ve never seen a wetsuit like it. In fact, around the forearms it’s closer to a swimskin type material than the usual thick neoprene. It’s listed as having a similar neoprene thickness around the shoulders as the Sumarpo (1-1.5mm) but like for like, the ZONE3 feels thinner. This means it’s really easy to get the ZONE3 Vanquish X wetsuit sitting in place around your shoulders and armpits. But it does take a bit of extra care to make sure you don’t put a nail through the ultra-thin material. I also find the mish-mash of materials in the arms of the ZONE3 Vanquish X can feel a bit scratchy against the skin compared to the Sumarpo.
The neckline is at a lower profile on the ZONE3 Vanquish X compared to the Sumarpo Vanguard, which means is does feel less restrictive on dry land where the Sumarpo can feel borderline uncomfortable. With both wetsuits, I forget about the neckline as soon as I get into the water. But for that anxious wait at the start line before a race, the less restrictive feel of the ZONE3 around the neckline is certainly preferable. The pre-race nerves make it hard enough to breathe properly without your wetsuit trying to strangle you!
Fit and comfort rating
Sumarpo Vanguard: 70%
ZONE3 Vanquish X: 70%
Verdict
It’s a close call. Were it not for the tight neckline, the Sumarpo would probably just edge the ZONE3 out here. On the whole, they’re both well-fitting and comfortable – each with their own pitfalls. Which leaves me with a tied score so far. Moving on!
Performance
Once in the water, that ultra-thin arm material in the ZONE3 Vanquish X comes into its own. The Sumarpo Vanguard is really flexible in the shoulders, but the Vanquish X is on another level – there’s no sense of fighting against the neoprene to turn your arms over whatsoever.
That does come at the cost of warmth, though. The cold spot panels, the thin construction around the arms, and the thinner neoprene either side of your core in the ZONE3 suit does mean I notice the cold a bit more in the Vanquish X compared to the Sumarpo. This played a role in deciding to race in the Sumarpo Vanguard at Challenge The Championship recently, known for its lower water temperatures, rather than going with my previous race suit of choice – the ZONE3.
Both of these wetsuits make use of Aerodome technology – essentially honeycomb like air pockets which help to enhance buoyancy. They both have a very similar feel in the water in terms of buoyancy and body position. Though ZONE3 have used the Aerodome tech in the legs of the suit, where Sumarpo have used it in the core. This means you get slightly more leg lift from the ZONE3 Vanquish X. For shorter training swims, I do prefer the slightly more natural feeling swim of the Sumarpo. But for Ironman distance racing and long training swims, I know I’ll always appreciate the extra leg lift of the ZONE3 when fatigue kicks in or congested turn buoys mean I’m having to sight far more often.
Performance rating
Sumarpo Vanguard: 80%
ZONE3 Vanquish X: 85%
Verdict
Overall, these wetsuits actually feel very similar to swim in both in terms of buoyancy and also freedom of movement. I found myself reaching for the Sumarpo more often earlier in the season when I wanted the extra warmth. But once the water warmed up, the two were interchangeable and I noticed I was holding pace a little better towards the end of long swims in the ZONE3.
Design/style
There’s no denying it. The Sumarpo Vanguard looks pretty retro. And while that throwback styling has grown on me – I’ve stopped immediately feeling the need to explain to people why I’m wearing a wetsuit that looks like it’s from the 80s every time it has an outing. Compared to the modern superhero look of the ZONE3 Vanquish X, it’s just not winning any style points.
In fact, to look at it – I don’t think you’d believe the Sumarpo Vanguard has quite so many forward-thinking features in common with the ZONE3 Vanquish X as it does. And while the Sumarpo certainly isn’t so unstylish that it puts me off wearing it. If I were to pick a wetsuit based purely on looks – the ZONE3 Vanquish X would have me swiping right.
Style rating
Sumarpo Vanguard: 65%
ZONE3 Vanquish X: 85%
Verdict
If it’s style points you’re after, the ZONE3 Vanquish X has to be the winner. There is something about the throwback, retro look of the Sumarpo that’s grown on me, though. Everyone loves an underdog.
ZONE3 Vanquish X vs Sumarpo Vanguard – who wins?
The Sumarpo Vanguard and the ZONE3 Vanquish X are closely matched. Surprisingly so, given the difference in price point. They both offer a good level of buoyancy and flexibility around the shoulders. And they both have something innovative to offer on the wetsuit tech front. With the Sumarpo making use of Aerodome technology in the core, an ultra-flexible lining and 3D catch panels. And the ZONE3 using infrared bio rubber for improved circulation and that same Aerodome technology – albeit in the legs rather than the core.
On price alone, the Sumarpo would win purely because you’re getting serious bang for your buck. And I did actually end up wearing the Sumarpo Vanguard for Challenge Roth. However, towards the end of the season I noticed the Vanguard was starting to look at little… tired. That retro design was peeling off in places. And I’d managed to get several small holes under the arms and in other stress points. Whereas my ZONE3 Vanquish X – which already had an entire year’s worth of use in it before I got the Sumarpo – was still looking good as new. For the second half of race season, I found myself training the ZONE3 Vanquish X more often – two Ironman distance races in 7 weeks left me feeling the need for the extra buoyancy to give my tired little legs a helping hand. And I did end up leaving the Sumarpo at home and taking the ZONE3 Vanquish X to IRONMAN Tallinn instead.
I would have been happy to let the retro styling slide, but it’s because of this slightly disappointing lack of durability that I’ll have to give the top prize to the ZONE3 Vanquish X here. But if Sumarpo can make a few adjustments so their wetsuits last longer, they will be a serious contender on the market.
