4 Tips For Choosing a Tech Suit
By Diana Pimer, Swimming World College Intern
The first week of February is already upon us. For college swimmers, this means that conference championships are quickly approaching. Shortly after come NCAA Championships, along with many regional, age group, sectional and national meets across the country.
There are two things that go hand-in-hand when it comes to these big meets: taper and a tech suit. Like peanut butter and jelly or Mario and Luigi, these two aspects of championship meets are vital to a swimmer’s confidence.
Taper is an interesting phenomena. It works in many different ways for many different people. And tech suits hold a similar aura. What might be good for one swimmer may not work for another. The science of choosing a technical suit is confusing and complicated.
But how do swimmers choose which extremely tight and awkward suit to buy? Is there even a difference between them?
Picking a suit for championships can be stressful. You see that Arena is all the rage for breaststrokers, but many sprinters have been choosing TYR. And with Dolfin and Finis breaking through this season, there are too many options to choose from. In the end, it’s always safe to go with the Speedo you’ve been buying your whole life, right?
No matter which brand you choose, it is important that you pick the suit that is best for YOU. Here are 4 tips for choosing a tech suit:
1. Be Comfortable
Most importantly, you need to be comfortable in your suit. If the legs or the shoulders are too tight, you could be in pain from the moment you dive in the pool. Many brands fit swimmers differently, and some brands even have a variety of suits that fit better on various body types. It does not matter if it is your favorite color or if all your friends bought it, if a suit makes you feel uncomfortable, it is not going to help you swim as fast as you can.
2. Do Your Research
Certain suits are made for certain events. It’s a fact. Most companies tell you this on their websites. Take some extra time and research the suits you may like. By going to the website of the original company who made the suit, you may realize that the suit you liked is best for sprinting, not a 400 IM, or vice versa.
3. Stay Within a Budget
I was allowed to get my first tech suit when I was 14 years old. However, I was responsible for this first major purchase of my swimming career. Not everyone is made of money. If you need to buy a suit that is a little less expensive, go for it. There is no need to stress about your competitors wearing $500 suits and you wearing a $200 one. Buy that suit, rock it, and be confident in it. And besides, the most expensive suit may not always be the best fit for you.
4. Test it Out
One of the biggest mistakes a swimmer can make is not testing out their new tech suit. When our coach tells us to try it out in practice we all think the same thing- but I don’t want to wear it out! Trust me, swimming 200 yards in it is not going to make a difference when you race in it a week later. By ordering your suit early, you allow yourself time to return it if it fills up with water or it is too tight in certain areas. Try not to wait until the last minute!
Some people say the suit doesn’t matter- it’s all about the work that has been done all season long. However, swimmers know that certain suits make them feel like superheroes, like nothing can stand in their way. It is important to pick the right suit, but this is not an easy task. Don’t over-complicate the process, but remember these tips when you are swamped with a rainbow of colors and a variety of styles to choose from.
Charles Lee Cheng
Moudi Haidar