swimsuit longevity

Try the Tyr Durafast polyester suits. I recently got a pair of Durafast male Jammers and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! 7 weeks of many miles of swimming and very little wear yet. They also run as fast in the water as my lycra suits and probably a bit faster. Can't vouch (obviously) for the women's suits. originally posted by Leonard Jansen I have to agree with you 100% on all the points you made there Leonard.....I have had my TYR Durafast Poly Jammer for over a year now and it still seems perfectly o.k.....and like you said it is light and fast like a lyrcra jammer...they are also very comfortable. I can only speculate Leonard as to why we both arrived at the same "solution" when it comes to swim wear?....Its a mystery....(maybe its b/c were both geeks??)

Since I work for a swimsuit manufacturer, I can emphatically concur that polyester is the only fabric which can stand up to the rigors of training. Lycra is degraded by all shampoos, soaps, sunlight and chlorine. All major swimsuit manufacturers now make polyester suits for men and women in a variety of styles. Just be aware that the straps on "thin-strap" suits will not be as durable and stretch/wear out much quicker than the suit. Rinse these in cool water and hang to dry. That's all they really need. Polyester generally does not have the soft feel and shape retention as lycra does. And it can weigh more. So, nylon/lycra is the way to go for racing, short of the new technology of high-end competition suits. 100% nylon, now only found in men's suits, also wears well but does fade. They make good drag suits. FYI, tzsegal, the Arena Stretch 150 is now called "Waternity" if you are looking for more. Don't ask why!

Polyseter is the only way to go! The suit I am wearing is 2 years old. The lining has rotted out and the draw string broke but the suit is fine. I think I will get a new one this spring. With logevity like this I do not mind paying full price.

The polyester suits are so much more durable than any other material it's ridiculous. They just won't die. I'm convinced the swimsuit manufacturers refused to sell them until a few years ago because they're too durable. People wouldn't have to buy replacement suits any more. Now that they all sell the ridiculously priced speedsuits they're making a ton of profit on those an can "afford" to sell polyester suits!

I just started swimming this past year, 3 to 4 x week, and at first I was going through suits every couple of months.I rinsed them out, and took better care of them than my contacts. Eeek our budget couldnt afford this. So I purchased a speedo endruance. Never had chaffing problems, but I have noticed the straps are starting to stretch out. The suit is now 10 months old. The girl at the shop shared that she wears them for years, the lining lets go and she just cuts it out. ( This may or maynot be an option depending on body type, and I don't have a clue if this is applicable to guys suits) Make sure you like the color and design because it does seem to last FOREVER. Sometimes, I have to admit a little voice inside cries out for a different color or style. ;)

Originally posted by newmastersswimmer I can only speculate Leonard as to why we both arrived at the same "solution" when it comes to swim wear?....Its a mystery....(maybe its b/c were both geeks??) The temptation is to say that great minds think alike. However, more likely is that we just are two of many monkeys with typewriters and have chanced upon the same "text." I have a pair now that have gone about 450,000 yards since 1 January 06 (yes, I'm training for another run at Manhattan) and they are still rock solid. I usually "treat" myself to 2 pairs a year - one at the start of open water season in June that then becomes the training suit from the end of September to the end of the year and then one pair around Xmas to get me to June. At ~$31 each they are a steal compared to the Lycra grab bag suits I used to kill at the rate of 1 every 3-6 weeks. -LBJ