Most triathlon hydration systems manufacturers set out to make the most aerodynamic hydration system, but what if you created an aerodynamic fairing that also was a hydration system?  Enter the Profile Design HSF Aeria.  When it comes to aerodynamics if it looks faster it usually is.  A smoother, tapered, more streamline design is easy to identify visually, beyond that it takes a wind tunnel and a lot of data to determine which system is the fastest, and that is predicated on a very large number of factors beyond the hydration system.  But based on the shape alone there is less to catch the wind with the Aeria HSF.  Profile Design forward a lot of design elements that made the Profile FC35 and FC25 triathlon hydration systems so popular; no splash fill port, integrated computer mount, collapsible straw with integrated bite valve.

The Aeria HSF can act as a fairing cleaning up a lot of dirty air that comes off all the crud (cables, bento boxes, brake calipers) in the front of the bike.  And it is important to remember that what contacts the air first, and has a lot of surface area, is often the most important when it comes to aerodynamics.  That is why such emphasis is placed on aero helmets; they can cut a lot of drag for not a lot of money in comparison to say- a new bike.  For a hydration system it is not cheap coming in at $127.00 but also requiring the Aeria Ultimate stem at another $159.00.  It holds 30oz and Profile gets the no splash fill port and straw position right.  If you have a time trial or sprint triathlon and want a bit less drag you can remove the computer mount.  All in all Profile deserves props for pushing the aerodynamic envelope on an often ugly solution to triathlon hydration.  I believe the Profile Design HSF Aeria is the best triathlon hydration system of 2018 for this reason.