Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:27:37 GMT

I've found "brick and mortar" stores are a waste of time when it comes to swim gear at any time of year. Yup. I haven't found decent swim gear in a brick and mortar since I left Florida.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:01:46 GMT

On line will stop all the frustration ! It will and does. But in a pinch it doesn't work. I like begin able to see what I'm buying too. Then I can also peruse and see other things. I already spend enough time sitting in front my computer everyday. I wake up, check the weather and news on my computer. Go to school and stare at a projection screen. Come home, do homework, on the computer. Take at home tests, on the computer. Write papers, on the computer. Make presentations, on the computer. Read books, on the computer. Check my grades, on the computer. Listen to music, on my computer. FaceBook, USMS, research, shopping, emails, banking, on the computer. Good thing I don't have any online classes. Computers are great, I just get tired of staring at them.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Three Rivers — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:13:17 GMT

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

orca1946 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:41:59 GMT

All true but, when you find a suit you like --- order a few to have on hand.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:19:43 GMT

The store in North reading is named Varsity. Evidently they have a pretty good selection. I usually have luck at the ***'s in dedham so I haven't driven up there. I have never had luck at the City Sports on Bromfield. I will have to check out the store in N. Reading. Maybe I'll drive out there one weekend when I have nothing to do. I could use a new drag suit, my drawstring just broke yesterday after like 4 years of using it. City Sports in Copley (Bolyston Street) had best best selection. In the past I've check the REI at the Landmark Center over by Fenway and they only had TYR suits, which I've never really liked. EMS on Bolyston had nothing. Marathon sports had nothing.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

orca1946 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:42:14 GMT

On line will stop all the frustration !

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:35:55 GMT

My opinion is you need to go to a dedicated swim shop that caters to competitive swimmers. Luckily there's one about a mile from my house. There's got to be at least one in Boston, right? The other choice is online, but not real useful if you need something now. There's city sports which probably had the greatest selection. I checked some marathon stores in the past but they didn't have anything. There is supposedly a place in North Reading, about 35 minutes outside of the city (not including traffic). I really didn't want to drive all the way out there, wasting all that time and gas.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:17:24 GMT

I always have good luck at a local triathlon shop. Right now, even SwimOutlet.com is low on suits. I agree the big-box sporting goods stores are useless any time of the year.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:09:09 GMT

Even in a big city like S.F., I have to go to sport shop (Sports Basement or REI) to find real athletic wear. All the chains just have casual stuff all year round.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:01:50 GMT

I've found "brick and mortar" stores are a waste of time when it comes to swim gear at any time of year.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

knelson — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:10:04 GMT

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

rxleakem — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:24:02 GMT

Eli, The Harvard meet in the middle of March will have a vendor and probably a decent selection of suits. I can let you know if you're interested. Are you swimming?

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

Former Member — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:08:44 GMT

I feel your pain - In September I wanted to size up my then 7 yo for her team suit - Speedo Endurance, Flyback, cost $70, none available at the team store for try-ons :bitching:, so I needed to be sure to get the right size if I'm paying top $$. Plus she'd grown out of the current team suit - a Nike, but they fit totally different. 3 sports stores and 1 swim store later I had not found a Speedo Endurance Flyback of any kind in a girl's 24 or 26 to try. She did however try on a 24 and 26 in a different Speedo style at the Kiefer shop, and yep, still in a 24. :rantonoff:

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

ViveBene — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:27:25 GMT

Retail stores have to stock what they can move, so ... I buy on eBay. Penelope2004 has new Speedos, men's and women's, and the occasional Tyr. (Women's Speedo New With Tags, Endurance fabric, might run $36, inclusive of shipping, versus the $78 plus shipping charges from Speedo.) Fast shipping, and can be expedited.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

swimshark — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:57:06 GMT

Our sport stores around here have them in stock now but the prices are absurd. You are better off on line. A little hint, check out Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx starting closer to spring. They often get in last year's suits and are hugely discounted. I get women's lycra for $10 and I have gotten a polyester suit for $16 before.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

aztimm — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:44:58 GMT

I agree the big-box sporting goods stores are useless any time of the year. I've gotten some very good deals on drag suits (and occasionally a brief) at ***'s, Sports Authority...and especially Sports Chalet. The last can be rather surprising, especially at locations that have dive schools (they sell suits for the divers to wear under their wetsuits for training--year round :) ) You really do have to go with an open mind. If I need/want something specific, I will definitely plan ahead and order online. But if I happen to be at ***'s getting lifting gloves or whatever, I'll see if/what they have for swimming.

RE: Mission Impossible: Buying a suit in the winter

smontanaro — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:46:28 GMT

My opinion is you need to go to a dedicated swim shop... I live pretty near the Keifer store in Glenview, IL and have purchased stuff there on occasion. Good for goggles and it looks like it has a terrific selection of kids' suits, but I wasn't that impressed with the selection in old fart styles and sizes. (It's been many, many years since I could fit into anything with a 24" waist!) I basically only wear black Speedo Endurance jammers. I know what I want, so unless I happen to stumble upon something while there for another reason, I purchase online. :2cents: Skip