I am just back from the SPMA meet where all the top finisher were wearing the latest generation tech suits,mostly B-70s(or were named Jeff Commings.)I have here to for been in favor of the suits,but now I am not so sure.First,they eliminate the old bench marks.I went my fastest 100m BR in 5 yr in my LZR,but it was only .3 sec faster than I did untapered 5 wk earlier in my first swim in the LZR.So was my swim good or not,I'm not sure.Also,instead of focusing on technique or pace I found myself ruminating over aspects of the suits,how many more swims did the suit have,is it the right size,was the reason I didn't get better results from my B-70 because it was too big?etc.The B-70 has somewhat mitigated the "too expensive,not durable" problem,but for how long.
Lets say a company comes up with a suit that is much faster,say 4 sec/100.Further that it is very expensive(say $1000) lasts 4 swims and is very hard to make so that quantities are always limited and the fastest way to get one is to bid up to $3000 on ebay. Now lets say your nemesis has one,or that getting one is your best chance to get TT or AA or a ZR or WR,or that your child is close to making JO cuts,or finally beating his/her nemesis etc. Is it worth it and where does it stop?
I'd say they are very expensive for something with such a limited life. Sure people will spend $500 on a driver or $5,000 on a bike, but those things should last a lot longer than a $550 LZR suit.
Do you know any golfers or bikers? Most would jump for joy at the prospect of spending $500 only. I don't think $500 is a figure that's even known to them. How about boating, water or snow skiing? $500 is peanuts. It just looks bad because in the past we could totally outfit ourselves for $40.
My brother owns horses. I told him people were up in arms about a $500 swimsuit. He agreed that was expensive and then proceeded to tell me about the cost of a new saddle, great day in the morning! I felt better after that about the cost of swimming.
I'd say they are very expensive for something with such a limited life. Sure people will spend $500 on a driver or $5,000 on a bike, but those things should last a lot longer than a $550 LZR suit.
Do you know any golfers or bikers? Most would jump for joy at the prospect of spending $500 only. I don't think $500 is a figure that's even known to them. How about boating, water or snow skiing? $500 is peanuts. It just looks bad because in the past we could totally outfit ourselves for $40.
My brother owns horses. I told him people were up in arms about a $500 swimsuit. He agreed that was expensive and then proceeded to tell me about the cost of a new saddle, great day in the morning! I felt better after that about the cost of swimming.
