Choosing the right speedo fabric

[Bullseye]

I am amazed by the number and variety of swim briefs that some of you seem to be able to purchase! Since my speedo budget is limited (I wish it weren't!), I have to make sure each purchase really counts. I have four pairs that I alternate swimming my laps in. It seems to me that my two pairs with nylon and lycra are the most comfortable, but fade quickly and I worry more about their durability. My polyester suits are less comfortable, but they seem not to be fading and they just seem more durable. Is this pretty much true across the board? Is there a suit that offers the best of both worlds? I would love to hear your experiences regarding comfort and durablity of specific suits, and I am open for purchase recommendations. Also interested to know if those of you who swim laps regularly tend to keep or remove the liners. Thanks for your help!

[Bullseye]

Well since no one picked up on this thread and I am embarrassed to have zero replies, I am going to answer my own post.

I found an informative article here: http://www.kiefer.com/blog/choosing-swi ... r-material. So if you are interested, (which apparently no one is!) there you go.

Thanks for all the replies guys. You really know how to make a guy feel special.

And here is a eye candy pic that has absolutely nothing to do with my post but might get a few more people to actually read it.

[beachbum]

Very good article. Thanks for sharing Bullseye!

[speedodemon]

Thanks for a really useful article. Sometimes replies take a few days, or even a week, especially when posted on weekdays rather than weekends.

[swimcmk]

I know they might be expensive but tech suits like a TYR Fusion 2 or a Speedo aqublade In my opinion have a great feel to them. They are both 80% poly, 20% lycra but they feel different that a normal suit with an 80% poly 20% lycra mix.

[merken]

I, too, have had problems with the Speedo nylon/lycra blend fading over time. I bought two Solars in grey and navy and after two months they had both faded to a really unappealing "dusky pink" color. Disappointing, considering Speedo marketed them as "chlorine-resistant," although it could have been the Texas sun and the chlorine doing a double-whammy. I've never had problems with the 80/20 nylon blends fading out on me from other brands.

My Nike polyester water polo suit looks fine after a year, but the waist has started to stretch out and I can't swim laps in it anymore.

I prefer nylon over polyester, but I know nylon doesn't last as long.

[diveguy]

I've only ever had poly/lycra blended Speedos, and mostly black ones (my favorite swimsuit color), so don't have enough knowledge to add to the discussion.

But I definitely know about posting and not getting a lot of feedback. I spent months writing a story for Speedo Stories section, it's had over 600 views now, but only two comments. Sure, it's hetero subject matter, and not gay interest, but I know there are lots of straight and even bi guys here that might have checked it out. Maybe even read it. It's hard to know if the reason it hasn't gotten much feedback is because it's too long, or too boring, or not enough sex content or what.

Great picture you posted, BTW. I love his tiny little black swimsuit.

[Bullseye]

I know they might be expensive but tech suits like a TYR Fusion 2 or a Speedo aqublade In my opinion have a great feel to them. They are both 80% poly, 20% lycra but they feel different that a normal suit with an 80% poly 20% lycra mix.

How long do they last? Is it worth the extra expense, or might it be better just to throw away the old nylon suit and get a new one? Thanks for your reply!

[Bullseye]

I, too, have had problems with the Speedo nylon/lycra blend fading over time. I bought two Solars in grey and navy and after two months they had both faded to a really unappealing "dusky pink" color. Disappointing, considering Speedo marketed them as "chlorine-resistant," although it could have been the Texas sun and the chlorine doing a double-whammy. I've never had problems with the 80/20 nylon blends fading out on me from other brands.

My Nike polyester water polo suit looks fine after a year, but the waist has started to stretch out and I can't swim laps in it anymore.

I prefer nylon over polyester, but I know nylon doesn't last as long.

Does Nike put out more than one polo suit? I was looking at one on swimoutlet that is one sale, and strongly considering it. Did you like the look compared to your other suits?

[Bullseye]

I've only ever had poly/lycra blended Speedos, and mostly black ones (my favorite swimsuit color), so don't have enough knowledge to add to the discussion.

But I definitely know about posting and not getting a lot of feedback. I spent months writing a story for Speedo Stories section, it's had over 600 views now, but only two comments. Sure, it's hetero subject matter, and not gay interest, but I know there are lots of straight and even bi guys here that might have checked it out. Maybe even read it. It's hard to know if the reason it hasn't gotten much feedback is because it's too long, or too boring, or not enough sex content or what.

Great picture you posted, BTW. I love his tiny little black swimsuit.

Thanks for replying and the comments that you posted. I don't spend much time in the story section, but I will make and effort to get over their and read your story. (And post a reply of course!) Have a good one!

[merken]

I, too, have had problems with the Speedo nylon/lycra blend fading over time. I bought two Solars in grey and navy and after two months they had both faded to a really unappealing "dusky pink" color. Disappointing, considering Speedo marketed them as "chlorine-resistant," although it could have been the Texas sun and the chlorine doing a double-whammy. I've never had problems with the 80/20 nylon blends fading out on me from other brands.

My Nike polyester water polo suit looks fine after a year, but the waist has started to stretch out and I can't swim laps in it anymore.

I prefer nylon over polyester, but I know nylon doesn't last as long.

Does Nike put out more than one polo suit? I was looking at one on swimoutlet that is one sale, and strongly considering it. Did you like the look compared to your other suits?

Yes, Nike has a huge line of water polo suits. I liked mine because the water polo suit sides seem shorter than the regular nylon/lycra suits. (Maybe 2.5" instead of 3") One disadvantage is the water polo suits are all double-lined, front and back. I guess you could cut out the rear lining, but I'm not too good with scissors.

[Bullseye]

I, too, have had problems with the Speedo nylon/lycra blend fading over time. I bought two Solars in grey and navy and after two months they had both faded to a really unappealing "dusky pink" color. Disappointing, considering Speedo marketed them as "chlorine-resistant," although it could have been the Texas sun and the chlorine doing a double-whammy. I've never had problems with the 80/20 nylon blends fading out on me from other brands.

My Nike polyester water polo suit looks fine after a year, but the waist has started to stretch out and I can't swim laps in it anymore.

I prefer nylon over polyester, but I know nylon doesn't last as long.

Does Nike put out more than one polo suit? I was looking at one on swimoutlet that is one sale, and strongly considering it. Did you like the look compared to your other suits?

Yes, Nike has a huge line of water polo suits. I liked mine because the water polo suit sides seem shorter than the regular nylon/lycra suits. (Maybe 2.5" instead of 3") One disadvantage is the water polo suits are all double-lined, front and back. I guess you could cut out the rear lining, but I'm not too good with scissors.

I bought some sharp extra small scissors in the sewing section at Walmart. You have to be careful when cutting, because it is very easy to accidentally make a cut in the suit itself. I hold my finger between the lining and the suit and do my best to cut right along the edge without cutting the seam itself. It may not be worth it, but if it bugs you enough, it can be done. If you had an older suit that you were willing to risk, I would try it on that first.

[Speedofanatic]

My choices are a bit different. At times I prefer semi loose (big ass) stuff. Sizing can be an issue but prefer nylon because to me they are not as restricting. Also if you are doing laps I seem to prefer TYR for comfort but Speedo seems to last longer. But that is because of chlorine concentration. Tbh it varies based on what you want to do with it.