I don't want to get into the tech suit debate because I really just want to wear a traditional suit and compete. I dont have a moral stand on the issue, I just grew up in normal suits and that is what I am comfortable in.
My question is wether there are any high-level swimmers that dont wear tech suits, but still setting records and winning events? I am curious both about Masters meets, but also USA Swimming and international swim meets.
My question is wether there are any high-level swimmers that dont wear tech suits, but still setting records and winning events? I am curious both about Masters meets, but also USA Swimming and international swim meets.
Absolutely you can be competitive using older suits.
After aging up, I set two WRs (100 & 200 SCM back) in March wearing an old pair of Tyr jammers. A year ago I set a national record in 200 SCY back wearing briefs, but it was subsequently broken -- smashed would be a better descriptor -- by Mike Ross.
As far as cost...I have been converted to a legskins fan. They are also cheaper than the full body suit. Unless you find them on sale, I doubt you can find the newest technology under $100. But "not so old" technology (FS-Pro, Tracer Light) legskins can usually be found in the $100-$200 price range.
The only problem is durability. If they are as durable as the current generation -- and that's a big if -- it might be more economical to wait for the next generation of Blueseventy. Thinking they would be good thru Dec 31, I bought their current legskins for $212 at nationals (and that came with money towards the next generation model). Although that is more expensive than, say, the FS-Pro, it is also much more durable so the overall cost is less.
I didn't notice any drop-off in performance compared to the full body suit in back and fly events. Jury is still out on freestyle.
YMMV, caveat emptor, and all that.
Fabric/technology aside, is a jammer better for racing than a brief of the same material?
Yes I think so because you still get some compression effect from the jammer that you do not -- at least, I hope not :) -- from the briefs.
Edit update: I just did a quick check swimoutlet.com, and the FS-Pro legskin is listed at $129 and the jammers at $104, which is right at the limit of your price range. Good luck!
Check out the Aquapel, too. It's an older tech suit but one that I have found to be comfortable and does well in meets. My first one lasted 4 years with me wearing it about once every 6 weeks in meets only. It cost me (woman's tank suit) $120 then. They have since discontinued them and you can find the same suit for $40 so they are a bargain.
To me the most underrated suit is the aquablade. I think it is just as good as the FS 1 or FS 2. A Jammer is $50. If you can still find the body suit (goes to knees) that would be a great purchase. TYR might still make their alternative to the Aquablade. Those two suits were exactly the same...
Former Member
Thanks for the suit info Chris.
I was actually looking at the FS-Pro Jammer. I dont know if I would feel comfortable racing with my entire leg covered.
Fabric/technology aside, is a jammer better for racing than a brief of the same material?
I doubt it at the international level and probably not at the elite senior level within USA swimming. Certainly at the age group level in USA swimming.
At the Master's level, yes, but I don't have exact stats and the winners at Nationals are predominantly wearing tech suits.
I don't know that my wishy-washy participation in meets counts, but I managed to place second in the 200 *** at the 2008 short course USMS Nationals in Austin in a regular lycra Speedo. That was before the LZR hype during the Olympics last summer though. Things may be very different now!
I think it's all relative to the competition you must face. Take Rowdy Gaines wearing a B70 at the Clovis Nationals - my guess is he would have won and perhaps still set records in a good old fashion swim brief (speedo); naturally the fat paycheck from Blue 70 would not have been included.
Could Michael Phelps blow everyone out of the water in the 400 IM wearing a non-tech suit? I think the answer is yes, as no person is within striking distance of his record or time at this moment. I doubt the same thing could be said of the 50 or 100 m free though.
Wear whatever works for you. I was in a Speedo faskskin leg suit at Nationals - a tech suit dated back about 7-8 years. I would have just as easily swam in a normal suit if I didn't happen to own the fastskin from prior competition though.
