Jammers vs traditional Speedos

I like jammers as well but find the pull buoy slips around at the 150 yard mark on pull sets so I don't wear it on days I know there will be pulling.

I took a long time for me to get used to the tightness above my knee. Now no problem. Some specific Speedo types get stretched very quickly. I've found that Nike plain are the longest lasting.

I like jammers a lot, they do not cause any discomfort to me.ONe thing I would suggest though: buy 100% polyester jammers, those will last forever...

I second the 100% polyester recommendation. On the tight by the knee front, different brands have different leg lengths, I had a Tyr jammer that was too short for me so the bottom was up on the thigh instead of right down at the knee and it was a little uncomfortable. The Nike jammers I had stretched out very quickly, perhaps I should have bought a size smaller but they seemed right when new.

Modesty in my old age put me in jammers. I like them. When they wear out for swimming, I wear them under my running shorts to run in. I have noticed the pull bouy slipping some but its a minor problem. I haven't noticed the binding around the leg to be a problem. Speedo's jammers are good for about 6 months 3 to 4 days per week swimming.

I swim with jammers. They're great. No issues for me, though my thighs are pretty skinny. They do seem to relax pretty quickly, so even if you have larger legs I don't think they'll pinch or will be too tight. My Fastskin jammers (same size as my other Speedo jammers) are really tight at the knee. The elastic is very tight, probably intentionally. Fine for racing. Don't get a Fastskin for working out.

I guess I don't really understand why people wear jammers.... Is there a benefit to offset the higher cost? Modesty? From the looks of things, one can see just as much of you in a jammer as a speedo...possibly more depending on the lining. I've seen guys in jammers that seemed pretty much see-through from the backside (not a pleasant thought). Races? Yes, I'd buy that, if you wear it strictly for a race, and wear the special fabrics (aquablade, etc). Possibly for occasional training to adjust to a difference. Out of all the people who swim with my USMS team in the mornings (probably 25-30), I've probably seen 2-3 in jammers over the past 5 years. They are new swimmers, come in them once, and either stop coming, or switch to speedos. Similar pattern to guys who show up in full trunks. Me personally? I wear a plain old speedo, with a drag suit on top. Cost together, maybe $30...replace the speedo every 3-4 months, the drag suits maybe every 2 years. From a cost basis, jammers seem 25%+ more than a regular speedo...so unless there's some benefit to it, think I'll stick to my usual.

Originally posted by aztimm I guess I don't really understand why people wear jammers.... Is there a benefit to offset the higher cost? Well, it's interesting that Ken asked for good and bad opinions of jammers, and thus far nobody has really given a "good" opinion other than to say (without explanation) that they like them or that they think they're more modest. My own opinion is that, unless you're talking about a high-tech fabric (where the briefs cost at least $35), jammers are about $5 more expensive and a little slower than comparable briefs. For high-tech fabrics, the added price for jammers is a lot more more, but they may have less drag than briefs, though they also absorb more water that you have to drag along with you. Personally, I'm still sticking with briefs, even for competition.

What I like about jammers is when they strecth out they make great drag suits. The pair I'm using now, the crotch is about mid-thigh. It creates a lot of drag.

What do you want someone to say, that jammers will make you go faster? I don't think anyone thinks that. It's totally a modesty thing. I'm going to be crude here: I'm not shaving my crotch area. I've seen the people in the brief Speedos, hell I've been one of them, with their pubic hair hanging out all over the place. It's just gross. I don't want to see it, I don't want to be that guy. So, I put on the jammers and I don't have to shave my inner thighs. Speed: At my speed, would I notice a difference if I wore a full Fastskin? No way. So, by the same token, do jammers make me slower than briefs? "No", using the same rational. I'm just not fast enough to notice a difference. Drag: They're made of the same stuff as briefs, I don't see the point in mentioning it. Price: I get the grab bag variety for $15 each. I buy a new suit at about once every other month. I swim 5 days a week. I'd rather if you all started wearing jammers. I don't want to see your hairy legs any more than I have to. ;)