I am curious to what your preferences are regarding Speedo or TYR products (or other). I myself am a Speedo girl, and always have been. However, I recently bought a discounted TYR reversible suit for practice and it lasted way longer than any Speedo ever has. I'm tempted to buy TYR again, but do I dare switch loyalties? I like Speedo styles better - I've never been big on brand names at all, except when it comes to swimming - there's just something about Speedo.
Let me tell you a secret. Many products are made by the same places. The difference is marketing and placing brand names on the items. As soon as thats done the price goes to whatever the market bears for the brand. Swim caps for example there are only a few places in the world that even makes them. Speedo markets a bubble cap. its the exact same cap marketed by Watergear, Jantzen, and Aquapro.. the same for the swim suits and I have seen exact "replicias" of the Speedo Hydro Spex goggle under another brand for a few dollars less. I use Speedo swim suits when I find them on sale they work for me but dont seem to last too long. hey thats called repete business! Arena works also and so does Tyr if I can find them for a good price.
For practice suits, whatever is on sale.
For race suits I'll only buy speedo. Long story short: a VP at speedo sent me a paper suit, next day shipping for free when I was in a bind. They've got my loyalty.
As for goggles I love the swedes :)
Like most masters swimmers, I usually buy my swim suits on sale. I have been a regular user of Victor suits, they had good deals on line,(buy 2 get 1 free) I ordered some for my husband and they weren't delivered so I called and got a message that they were doing inventory, call next week. I called the next week and got the same message. Went to check the website and it is gone! Today Sports Authority had all suits 25% off. I will be stocking up next May when Nationals are in Ft. Laud. The vendors at the meet are the best.
I have used the same speedo poly mesh square leg 705970 for over 2 years and it still looks great. I swim 4 times per week.
I have a difficult time understanding why people buy 2 or 3 suits at a time. Do they lose them? Do they out grow them? Do they need a different color and/or new suit every few months? If this is the case, consider a reversible suit. They are available for male and female. In my opinion, the Nike reversibles are outstanding quality
In any case, 100% polyester (any brand) is the most economical (very long lifespan) and most attractive suits to get. I would not train in anything else.
