Suits
Swim Suits
- Built for lounging on pool deck, playing in the water
Lap or Training Suits
- Built for swimming as exercise, doing lots of laps
- Designed for comfort, stretch, durability
- Not designed for speed
Competition or Tech Suits
- Built to maximize speed, hydrodynamics, minimize drag
- Includes compression – hips/legs for men; stomach/chest for women
- Special fabrics – slipperier than skin
Women’s
- More vs less coverage, wider vs narrower straps
Men’s
- Board shorts, jammers, briefs
Suit Fabrics
Nylon
- Least expensive, stretchy, comfortable
- Breaks down quickly
Spandex (or LYCRA)
- Form fitting, stretchy
- Can be itchy, not very durable
Polyester
- Ideal for competition suits, very form fitting, doesn’t stretch, quite durable
- Not terribly comfortable, hard to get on/off, most expensive
Suit Fit
- Brands all fit a bit differently
- Use can determine
- Personal preference determines
- Make sure you can send back
Goggles
- Reason – Protects eyes, improves visibility
Style
- Practice – Silicon/rubber gaskets around eyes, some have adjustable nose piece
- Competition (Swedish) – Sleek, low profile, sits close to face, no gaskets, most adjustment options
- Mask – Soft, comfortable, better peripheral vision
Fit
- Face shape determines…adjustable nose piece helps
- Should feel reasonably comfortable from get-go
- Should get brief bit of suction w/o strap
- Double strap is more secure
Color
- Clear – Indoor use
- Blue – Indoor/outdoor
- Smoke – Cuts glare for outdoor
- Mirrored – Cuts glare for outdoor (easily scratches)
Care
- Don’t touch insides
- Rinse & air dry
- Use antifog spray, Johnson’s baby shampoo…or get new ones
Caps
- Reason – Keeps hair out of face, improves hydrodynamics
Materials
- Lycra/Spandex – Very durable, soft, water flows thru, super stretchy, not as smooth
- Latex – Thinnest, cheapest, more breathable
- Silicone – Very durable, thicker, warmer, stretchy, very smooth
- Neoprene – Very warm, insulating, thick
Types
- Long hair caps
Care
- Rinse & air dry
Swim Equipment Tips
- Always check the back of your suit!
- Put goggles, caps on the right way
- Don’t call swim caps “hats”
Where to Buy
- SwimOutlet.com (grab bag), TYR
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