Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

aquajock — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:32:14 GMT

I don't know if this is just a dry climate issue, but I had a TYR and Nike suit (the thin-strapped, open back) suits that basically held up fine except the straps suddenly became stiff and brittle and hard to untangle. Most of my suits become too stretched out to push off walls without a moon after just a few months.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

jethro — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:58:29 GMT

I wear Agon speedline suits. The one I have now I bought at the end of March. Since then I've done approximately 220 miles. The suit is now beginning to show signs of wearing out, but it should still be good for a while. I like Agon suits, except whenever I put mine on I have to be careful or the drawstring gets pulled inside the waistband, and I have to fish it out with something. I don't have that problem very often with other brands.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:27:28 GMT

I just ordered some new suits from Speedo today - I consider needing a new suit a reward for all the swimming I have been doing - especially when that suit gets too big for me to wear! :D

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:24:19 GMT

Geo', I wore my Yingfa, again, in last weekend's pentathlon. It is quite comfortable and I really like it! I still laugh, though, that at 5'71/2" and 121 pounds, I had to buy a XXXL. Those Chinese gals sure are tiny! A young lady I know wears the same bathing suit in a XXXL, she is 5'7" tall and weighs 190lbs. That suit is very forgiving.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:50:53 GMT

Many of the new brand name suits are made with 81% poly/19% chlorine resistant lycra blend or 82% poly/18% chlorine resistant lycra. Improvements in swimming suit technology have produced polyester, the more durable form of nylon, and the new chlorine resistant lycra (spandex). Training suits should be comfortable to allow easy movements with good coverage and support. When selecting a size for competition, it should be snug, but not so tight it puts strain on the shoulders, pinch the body or ride up in the back. In spite of the advance in fibre technology, chlorine will in time break down the fabric. When it starts to "bag" or stretch out - it is time to replace your racing suit, and use the old one for training. When trying on these new suits, it is advisable to cover the feet with a plastic bag to insure there will be not damage from toenails etc.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:20:10 GMT

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Elaine Krugman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:03:17 GMT

Tomorrow, I'll start wearing my Agon Sport polyester $15 grab bag suit that I picked up at Nationals and see how long it lasts. If I get good mileage out of it, I'll be buying more! I don't think I will be buying another Agon suit, no matter how long it lasts, unless they change the shoulder straps. I wore the suit, today, for a 3,600 yard workout and ended up with chafing on the shoulders and neck; something I never experienced with the Speed Endurance. Tip: Use petroleum jelly to prevent chafing. I used it today on my neck and shoulders and the shoulder straps didn't bother me at all. To save money, buy the store brand, rather than Vaseline. Petroleum jelly is the same product, regardless of the brand name on the label

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:37:05 GMT

I bought two pairs of Maru trunks of endurance type material, from the bargain bin at a masters meet, for £1 each. Yes, approx $1.60. A year later, having worn both for every training session, maybe 150-ish hours, the tie string went on one and more recently the other. If I can get a string I can probably wear them both for at least as long again. So, taking both into account, I've paid approx 1c per session for training trunks :) Both, by the way, were hideous. In a good way, of course.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Elaine Krugman — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:17:03 GMT

Elaine, About how many months did Suits #1 and #2 last? Anna Lea To me, miles seem more accurate, since there are vacations that skew the timeline, as well as changes in yardage/swim. The first suit lasted 15 months, however, I was swimming much less yardage during that time than I am now. The second suit lasted almost 11 months, however, it lasted more miles. Anna Lea, how long do they usually last for you? BTW, most of my swimming is done in a saline pool...

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:35:30 GMT

I have been wearing a 82% poly/18% new chlorine resistent lycra suit for a couple of years and found it to be good for me. It is essential that you buy the right size, not too tight but snug.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:15:33 GMT

For workouts I wear what I think is this Speedo Surf Runner. www.swimoutlet.com/.../9041.htm I suppose that is ridiculous in these elite masters circles, but I love them. The drag is actually fairly low and they are indestructible. I own two pairs and haven't replaced them since I don't remember, at least 3 years maybe 5 or 10 I don't know. Plus I can wear them around outside of the pool and not feel like a complete idiot. I think this is the kind of suit that will eventually revolutionize the adult fitness swimming world. For a meet I wear an off the rack $30 jammer. Maybe I would splurge for more if I was convinced it really made a difference, but I'm still trying to take off seconds not tenths. If you want to take off seconds, start with getting an appropriate swim suit. The drag from your suit is not "fairly low" it is actually "really high." You are taking 2-3 strokes more per lap because of the suit and compensating for this inefficiency is hurting your stroke mechanics. If you swim with any regularity you might even be risking long injury! I do agree, though, that wearing a banana hammock on the pool deck makes me self-conscience. To me a jammer is a good middle ground.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:04:28 GMT

Guys are so lucky. I wear the Tyr triangle two-piece suits. They say Durafast on them, but they're a lycra blend. If I buy them on the small side, I can get about 95 miles (8 weeks) out of them. When they wear out, the bottoms get saggy and the straps start to chafe. They same applies to the Tyr ring-back two-piece suits, but they have more of a scoop neck. When they start to wear out, it's an emergency to replace them. A worn-out triangle one is just shabby and maybe uncomfortable. Not the best in terms of value, but the tan lines are quasi-normal, and I hate fighting with a a one-piece suit.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:21:07 GMT

My experience sounds similar to yours. I'm in the water 3 or 4 times per week, for 1.5 hours each time. If I just wear one suit all the time I seem to get at least a year out of it. The last couple of suits I wore were Speedo Endurance. Anything is better than the old Lycra suits. They felt great for the first month or so, then they started stretching out, then by the end of three months they were REALLY baggy!

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 14:54:23 GMT

Speedo Endurance Suit #1 mileage = 297.48 miles (according to FLOG) Speedo Endurance Suit #2 mileage = 303.61 miles (according to FLOG) Elaine, About how many months did Suits #1 and #2 last? Anna Lea

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Elaine Krugman — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 05:43:17 GMT

Suit update: My second Speedo Endurance training suit split in the rear, today, so it has been retired and placed on the hook along with my first suit. Fortunately, I wasn't on a cruise ship this time and I was able to complete my workout without mooning anybody. (Too bad it was Sunday; the noodlers aren't back until tomorrow... :D) Speedo Endurance Suit #1 mileage = 297.48 miles (according to FLOG) Speedo Endurance Suit #2 mileage = 303.61 miles (according to FLOG) Close! As for my Yingfa, I'm not keeping track, since I am using it strictly for meets. Tomorrow, I'll start wearing my Agon Sport polyester $15 grab bag suit that I picked up at Nationals and see how long it lasts. If I get good mileage out of it, I'll be buying more!

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:39:29 GMT

How many of you race in these polyester suits. Do you set best times in them? I do use them all the time, ie 100% polyester, they're tight so I make no link betweent he suit and the resulting outcome.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:42:10 GMT

Slowswim - Can you swim Fast in that suit and change your name to Fastswim:cheerleader:???

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:36:45 GMT

I wear TYR Endurance square leg. I bought it for training swims but it has been comfortable and durable enough for 3-4 Tri's a year since 2005. The stiching has bleached out but evertything is intact.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:34:32 GMT

Ahh Geek be nice now or not your choice.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:56:12 GMT

Isn't mind numbingly irrelevant dribble like this the reason you have a blog? I started this thread. Don't read it. Isn't your post on this thread irrelevant?

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

aquageek — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:15:57 GMT

Isn't mind numbingly irrelevant dribble like this the reason you have a blog?

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:03:05 GMT

This time, I have ordered the "Blue Streak" (second one down): www.swimdownhill.com/id54.html After hearing so many great things about George Park and his Yingfa suits, I thought I would give one a try. Not only was the price right ($28); it included shipping! And, George replied to my e-mails immediately, when I had questions about sizing. He even offered to send me two suits with a return envelope, so I could return the one that didn't fit. George's customer service can't be beat! I will keep track of my mileage on this suit and report back when it takes a dump. (Stretching out doesn't count; I only retire a suit when it gets to this point: :afraid:) Update on the suit: I had ordered the 3XL (:eek:), but George thought it would be too big and suggested the 2XL. The suit arrived, however, I tried it on, and... :afraid:! It looked fine in the front, but the back of the suit was really, really small. Sheeesh, I thought I had a normal sized butt and hips, but the Chinese are TINY! Hey, I'm not exactly over weight either. At 5'71/2" and currently 120 pounds, I'm quite thin. George was great about sending out the larger size, along with an envelope to return the smaller suit. It just arrived and fits much better! It's still a little small for my taste; the rear of the suit is cut just high enough, but it should work out fine. Otherwise, it's great! I've decided to use it for Nationals and other meets, and use my lycra Speedo for training. So, I won't be able to keep track of the mileage I put on it the way I had planned. For any of you gals out there considering a Yingfa, keep in mind they run very small. Although I have long legs, my torso is also long at 601/2, putting me into the largest size they sell. :badday: P.S. I wear a size 6 and a small in women's clothes, so having to order a XXXL is a bit disheartening! :bitching:

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:32:06 GMT

Heres my data over the past year for what its worth swimming in chlorinated pools: TYR Durafast 73 miles until the straps lost elasticity. Speedo XTraLife Lycra - not sure on the mileage, but did not last as long as the Durafast. Speedo Endurance 86 miles and still going.

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

MAC swimmer — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 07:15:49 GMT

I have worn TYR training briefs (sort of a drag suit) for years. Each suit has lasted well over a year (250-275 miles) at least. You cannot kill these suits with an axe! As you say the stitching is the "first" thing that blows out...usually in the crotch...(sorry for the indecent imagery).

RE: Suit Durability: How long does your training suit last?

Former Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:54:31 GMT

Sorry Herb If I wore a suit like that, I would feel like a complete idiot. :chug: :chug: