I am looking at TYR's Aquablade with the "tripwires" that create drag to remove different kinds of drags. Fastskin II's which strategically place dimples to redirect eddies and flow, Arena's Powerskin with the light and slippery, water-resistant, superhero fabric and one or two other brands.
The statistics stating that the most gold medal winners wore Speedo fastskins doesn't hold water. (get it? Pun intended.) If Speedo paid Phelps 100 million dollars to wear a dead cow around his neck and swim, he would have. And if they paid him 100 million more he would have won too.
USMS has an article saying speedsuits are primarily psychological.
Are any of you satisfied with your speedsuits? Have you tried several brands? What's your take?
Right now I have been very happy with TYR's quality over that off Speedo. I am wearing a TYR fusion and it feels fast and is extremely durable. now wear TYR suits but Speedo gogles
While some promote these high tech suits as a performance-enhancing breakthrough, many others (and myself) view them as just an attempt to add technological gimmickry to the swimming art. They are merely a commercial product that can be simply bought for a price (and they are pretty expensive too) any advantage (such as increased speed) they might provide is artificial and does not reflect the true ability of each individual swimmer.
Interestingly, the definition (from my Webster's Dictionary) of an athlete is "A person possessing naturally acquired traits, such as the physique, strength, agility, and endurance, which are required for competitive sports." A swimmer is probably the most eloquent example of the definition of a true athlete.
Technological improvements are OK for mechanized sports like NASCAR and the Indy 500. However, the true art of swimming should be left to reflect the mind and body of the individual athlete regardless of which commercial product they use.
The bottom line (no pun intended) let's keep the traditional Racer briefs as "standard equipment". They are the most comfortable to wear in the water too.
Happy Holidays
Former Member
Originally posted by Dolphin 2
The bottom line (no pun intended) let's keep the traditional Racer briefs as "standard equipment". They are the most comfortable to wear in the water too.
Judging from this photo of Geek at the Charlotte meet last year, I'd say he agrees:
Being a man who chooses not to flash my money so publically, I just compete in your average pair of jammers or a brief at a meet. I will say I buy a new one for meets every few months so they are a little tighter, not as tight as the FSII aka "the poseur's choice."
Former Member
Originally posted by aquageek
I've had it with you, Pigeon Boy. For this latest outburst you shall pay dearly. For instance, let's put your new $400 swim suit up as a bet.
It's really not your color. Besides, it's a competition suit. Which you are not.
Did I mention that the beard looks good on you?
Former Member
That guy rules! You know how much courage or lack of self awareness it took to wear a red speedo in public like that? Nonetheless, please stay on topic, are any of you satisfied with your suits, have you tried any other brands, what has been your experienced?
Former Member
I have an FSII bodyskin (sleeveless)--I think it's great. Much better than the FSI legskins. Haven't tried any other brands.
By the way, Geek has no self awareness.
Former Member
I remember very clearly at the US Olympic trials the best swimmers got the latest and best swimming gear.
The TYR was fast, but tore easily.
Since these are not free to us, I would go with the Speedo Fastskin II's. My Fastskin has lasted two years of competition with zero wear yet. :D
As to your question, there have been several other studies showing these suits are faster than the older competition lycra suits. I know several older gentlemen, like Frank Pieme, who swears by the full body suits. No way arround it, he is old and his skin is loose. The suit keeps it all tight!
Former Member
In order to compete in a field of swimmers using Speedo 2000 racing suites a few years ago I purchased one. I discovered that it dropped 15 to 30 seconds off my 1650/1500 meter times. I did not want to shell out the dollars to buy this suit, but I wanted to remain as competitive as everyone else in my field. Trust me, they work, they reduce times and if you want to run with the big dogs…..you are going to have to step up to the plate and buy one.
Now to the question that still lingers…..Should these type racing suits be allowed? My vote is no…..it detracts from the purity of the sport and event. Keep it simple…..make a rule where all suits are made of the same fiber and fabric….then it amounts to who is the fastest and in the best shape….not who wore a factory think tank suit that was smoother then shaved skin….
I will say it one more time….I believe they reduce drag and make your times faster…..and unless you have that edge….you are giving up time.
Merry Christmas to all my friends here at USMS……
God Bless….
Tom Ellison
PS: Geek......you should wear that suit out on the Left Bank in meets....:) Hey Man....you had it going on there....:)
