I am going to try an experiment and would be curious to hear your experiences as well. According to the mileage in my FLOG, my first Speedo Endurance (50% poly/50% PBT) suit lasted for 297 miles (mostly in saline pools), before the stitching gave way and I had to retire the suit. My second Speedo Endurance suit has lasted for 242 miles (also mostly in saline pools), however, the stitching has started to come out in the neckline. Remembering what happened to my previous suit after getting out of the pool on a cruise ship ( :mooning: :blush: ), I have ordered another suit to have ready for when my Speedo falls apart. (I will be watching the stitching in the bottom carefully, as to avoid a repeat of the unintended mooning I gave the other cruise ship passengers...)
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:)
Meanwhile, has anybody else out there kept track of the durability of their suits? I would be curious to know how long your suits have lasted (mileage, if known, to compare fairly). How do the various brands compare?
Former Member
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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
