Are tech suits worth it? (2024)

Are tech suits worth it?

And do they actually make you faster? According to a study done by Journal Of The American College Of Sports Medicine, the suits can significantly improve swimming performance. The study found that, on average, swim performance improved by 3.2% when swimmers wore a tech suit as opposed to a regular training suit.

How long does a tech suit last?

Longevity. Unfortunately, all that compression comes at a price. Tech suits are recommended to last between 10 and 12 swim meets, give or take.

When should you wear a tech suit?

That decision is generally up to you, but our opinion is that tech suits should be worn by swimmers competing at the higher level meets that require qualifying standards to attend. We also suggest you consult with your Club coach to get their perspective for your swimmer.

Why do tech suits cost so much?

The main hydrophobic fabric in tech suits, elastane (also known as Spandex), requires a longer and more involved manufacturing process compared to other textiles like polyester (the key fabric used for training suits).

Do tech suits rip easily?

All swimmers know the frustration of torn or ripped expensive tech suits. Luckily, these days of throwing your expensive tech suits down the drain are gone! The most common among these frustrations are ripping your suit right before or after racing, but also your seams which loosen due to chlorine degradation.

How many times can you wear a techsuit?

You can NOT expect to get more than two full meets out of a tech suit. If you are an elite level swimmer you should expect to buy a new suit every 2 championship meets if you are wearing it for prelims & finals during a 3 day meet or After about a dozen wears they begin to stretch and degrade fairly quickly.

Why was the Speedo LZR banned?

FINA rule changes

This led to some claiming that the LZR was in effect "technological doping". At its meeting in Dubai in March 2009, FINA stipulated that swimsuits should not cover the neck, must not extend past the shoulders and ankles, and also limit the suits' thickness and buoyancy.

How much faster do tech suits make you?

The study found that, on average, swim performance improved by 3.2% when swimmers wore a tech suit as opposed to a regular training suit. Additionally, the study found that tech suits can reduce drag by 4.4% to 6.2% and reduce the amount of energy needed for swimming by 4.5% to 5.5%.

Are you supposed to wear anything under a tech suit?

10-step guide to putting on a tech suit:

Remember, do not wear a second swimsuit underneath your tech suit. At the end of the legs, there's a rubber grip that keeps your suit in place. Flip them up so you can slide them up your legs easier.

Are you supposed to rinse a tech suit?

Rinse it out with cold water in the shower.

Avoid soap and shampoo on the suit. If you aren't in the mood for a shower take it out of your swim bag when you get home and rinse it with cold water in the sink to rinse the chemicals out.

Is a $200 suit worth it?

It really depends on your budget, and how often/hard you're going to wear your suit. If you're looking for a workhorse suit that you can rely on 2-3 times/week, a $200 RTW number will not last. You'll end up buying a new one every six months.

When were tech suits banned?

In the beginning of 2010, FINA banned those suits for good. Now, swimsuits have to be made with only textile material, no polyurethane. It is true that, as of today, several of the fastest performances of all time were registered in that period.

Should you size down in tech suits?

Since most of these suits relax with wear, it is best to size down to a very tight fit to allow the swimmer to wear the suit as many times as possible. Jammer, Classic Suit, Kneeskin The LZR Pro (also called LZR Racer Pro) was the earliest woven fabric offering by Speedo.

What makes a tech suit illegal?

Any suit with any bonded or taped seams regardless of its fabric or silhouette; or b. Any suit with woven fabric extending past the hips.

Does hot water ruin tech suits?

When washing your tech suit, use mild detergents and cold water setting–hot water can damage some fabric components and cause them to break down over time. Don't forget to use a gentle cycle or hand washing setting–too much agitating can also damage delicate components like zippers, fasteners, and seams.

Can you return a ripped tech suit?

Tech Suit Return Policy

Returns or exchanges may be made within 30 days of purchase in new and unused condition with original receipt, tags attached and original packaging. Suits that have been tried on are not considered new and unused and are not returnable.

Can a 12 year old wear a tech suit?

This rule is in effect for all USA Swimming competitions in the United States, so any manufacturer or vendor selling a suit in the United States is subject to the above rule. No Technical Suits may be worn by any 12-Under USA Swimming athlete member in competition at any Sanctioned, Approved or Observed meet.

How long should it take to put on a tech suit?

- Please be patient! The first time you put on your suit it could take a while (20-40 minutes on average). This is normal and if you try to rush, you risk damaging your suit. If hot, sweating, wet it will take longer.

What size tech suit should I get?

Why do France only allow Speedos?

The French fashion for tight-fitting trunks goes back more than 100 years, with French regulators deciding in 1903 that restrictions were needed to stop men wearing baggy swimsuits at the beach or around town and then bringing back dust, sand and sweat when they enjoy a dip in the pool.

Are high tech suits banned in swimming?

In September of 2020, USA Swimming banned 'tech suits' (another name for high tech swimsuits) for any USA Swimming member 12 years or younger competing at any USA Swimming sanctioned, observed, or approved meet, with the exception of Junior Nationals, US Open, National Championships, and Olympic Trials swim meets.

Why are full body swimsuits banned?

The suits in effect pushed water away from the swimmer's body and were therefore dubbed hydrophobic. The drag on the human body moving in water is around 780 times larger than the drag when moving in air, so there is considerable advantage to getting as much of the body above the water level as possible.

Are high waisted tech suits better?

Ultimately, what kind of suit that you end up choosing depends on how your hips and butt are built. A high waisted jammer is good for swimmers who tend to show a lot of butt crack with their swim suits.

How do you know if your tech suit is to big?

If the suit touches your knees, then it's too big. The bottom of the suit should ride just above your knees, at the bottom of your thighs. It should be snug without feeling like a sausage casing or like it's cutting off circulation.

How do you not rip a tech suit?