To start, this suit is TIGHT. I’m right in between their size small and medium (I’m 5′8″, male, 145lbs), and they suggested I go with the small as they tend to stretch a bit with use. When I put it on for the first time, it took me a while to get it positioned on my body correctly. Not as long as putting on a wetsuit, but longer than a normal one piece tri-suit. My “massive” pecs and lats spill out of the top of the suit, and there is no “jiggle” whatsoever in the spare tire region of my midsection. NICE.

The crotch area on this suit is designed differently than most other tri-suits. There is no chamois padding. Instead of taking the traditional “let’s lock everything in place” approach to genital engineering, the Amphibian offers freedom to move through careful positioning of the seams. It’s a slightly weird feeling going for your first run in the suit and experiencing the freedom the Amphibian has to offer.

The suit has a small zipper placed in the back to conform to ITU regulations. I cannot zip it up myself, I have to have someone else zip me in. I can, however, easily unzip it with the attached pull-cord-thingy. Unzipped, the suit holds its shape decently and allows for a bit more ventilation.

Inseam length is perfect for me. It’s shorter than most cycling shorts, but not so short to look funny. Of course, inseam length is mostly a personal preference, but if you’re a short dude like me you’ll probably be pleased. The silicone leg grippers are nice.

The suit is very, very, VERY light. It almost feels like paper when you’re holding it. Kiwami advertises the dry weight at 100g, and I’d believe it. My underwear weighs more than this suit. Now, usually suit weight is not super important to one’s performance, but if you’re a speed demon like me (HA!) every last gram is important.

Okay, now for a sport-specific review of the suit.

SWIMMING

This suit is FAST in the water. The fabric actively repels water and sometimes little bubbles form, which may provide some buoyancy. I’m not sure how much faster I am in this suit compared to a speedo, but I felt slippery in the water. For non-wetsuit swims, I’d certainly have a small edge over those wearing just a tri-suit, and I’d probably be on relatively even footing with those wearing a swim skin. The cut in the shoulders does not hinder my range of motion in the slightest.

The suit simply does not retain water. I did a swim and then immediately went out for a run, and after 2 minutes of running, the suit was completely dry. This thing is just ridiculous. Not having 400g of water on your body when you start the bike can probably make at least a small difference in both your speed and your core temperature (especially if it’s cool outside).

CYCLING

The suit doesn’t flap around in the wind at all, which is awesome. However, the lack of any pockets and a chamois pad mean that this suit is really only suited for short rides. I would personally not want to race in this suit at anything over Olympic distance–maybe Half Ironman if I worked my way up to it.

However, keep in mind that this suit is explicitly NOT designed for long course–if you want a long course suit, Kiwami’s Kaiman is much better suited for the task. So the above criticisms are admittedly misplaced. The Amphibian is just fine for short course cycling, which is exactly what it was designed to do. You don’t need pockets or a chamois pad when you’re only riding for an hour or less.

RUNNING

I love the feel of this suit while running. It’s compressive, yet allows for freedom of movement, particularly in the crotch area. There are no chafe spots, as all of the seams are placed in non-critical areas. I’m told that the suit is also very flattering, which is important for us age group athletes.

I chose the Nero/Savoia/Bianco color combo. The black (I guess that’s the “Nero” part) is flattering, but it does get a bit warm at times on the run. However, this is not a big deal, especially considering the duration of the races in which you’ll use this suit.

SUMMARY

The Amphibian is an amazing suit for short-course racing. It’s a serious piece of equipment designed for a specific purpose. Use it for anything else (long course racing, weightlifting, tea parties) and you will probably be disappointed. But if you’re a short course athlete looking for every last bit of speed, the Amphibian is absolutely, unquestionably the suit you want.

1. Comfort.  You won’t want to be chafing a few miles into the bike or run.
2. Aerodynamics.  Any clothing choice should be tight-fitting, to minimize drag on the swim and bike.
3. Pockets.  In longer races, you’ll probably want pockets to hold the miscellaneous stuff you’ll need to carry.
4. Color.  This is usually personal preference, but lighter colors tend to be cooler than darker colors (and may be more “revealing,” if you know what I mean).

Once you’ve thought about these factors, you can start to look at your specific options:

1. Tri shorts and a tri top.  This is the most common option for triathletes.  It’s comfortable in all three disciplines, aerodynamic on the bike, and often come with pockets for the run.  The shorts have a minimalist pad for some comfort on the bike without getting in the way on the run.  Most triathlon clubs sell their tri kit in this form, and often it’s a cheap and simple option for new racers.  Remember to leave your tri top in transition before the swim, and put it on in T1.
2. Trisuit.  This garment is similar to the above, except it has a one-piece construction.  These have the advantage of slimming your midsection if you’re carrying a little extra in that region (who isn’t).  Check the neckline if you’re buying one–a high neckline will be more hydrodynamic while a low neckline will “scoop” in the water.  Many of these suits do not have pockets, which can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the race distance.  I do all of my races in trisuits, mostly because I have one that makes me look kinda like Superman.
3. Sport-specific attire for each sport.  Especially in longer races, you may find that wearing a swimsuit for the swim, bike clothes on the bike, and run clothes on the run is more comfortable and efficient.  You lose time in transition performing a complete clothes change (and in some races, nudity regulations prohibit this), but you may gain time in the end because you won’t be chafing or adjusting your clothes at all.
4. Miscellaneous combinations.  Some wear tri shorts and a looser-fitting bike jersey with sleeves.  Some can tolerate bike shorts on the run.  Some wear just a speedo for the whole race (you had better be good looking to pull that one off)!!

Your best bet is to leave yourself with several options on race day.  Conditions may dictate your choice of attire–for example, a wetsuit swim means you can leave your tri-top on under your wetsuit, while a non-wetsuit swim means you couldn’t wear your bike jersey on the swim.

Most importantly–when you’re done, wash your clothes as soon as you can.  Your domestic partner or roomate(s) will thank you.  Trust me.