Lap Swimsuits - why do they fall apart? - YouLookFab Forum

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Lap Swimsuits - why do they fall apart?

Anonymous

I am going through lap swimsuits at an alarming rate. I am not sure if it is how I am caring for my suits or if it is the pool water. These past two years I have increased my swimming from occasional spurts of training to a pretty consistent 2-3 times a week. I usually have two suits on rotation, rinse the suit after each swim and wash maybe after 3 - 4 swims. I use two pools, an outdoor saline and an indoor chlorine. I prefer the saline but am a cold wimp in the winter. My suits will start to loose the stretch after about 6 months of use. I think they are fine, get in the pool one day to have them balloon about me. Ugh! Any recommendations on care of the suits or contents. I have a hard time fitting most suits and need a long, complicating the situation. Thanks!

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lyn*

(website)

Veteran

That's slightly longer than the duration my lap suits last; I'd probably say 6 months is the norm for me.

I wash them out after every time though; and make sure they're pretty dry. I have three in rotation.

Anonymous

Really! So much for the spendy Athleta suits. In some weird way it is good to hear that I am not doing something to them. I will have to start buying multiples when I find one that fits. Thanks for the help.

Anonymous

Hmm, these are gear items that are getting heavily used as such, so I guess the 6-month lifespan doesn't shock me. I wonder, though, if thoroughly washing every time instead of just rinsing would help. Chlorine is ridiculously hard on fabric.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, another example of how things are easier for guys: I think my dad has the same swim trunks from when he was my age. HAHAHAHA.

Astrid

Veteran

My latest suit is a Speedo suit made out of their Endurance material and I really like it so far. I hasn't been used heavily though, so I'm not sure if it would hold up longer than the ones you wear now. It's this one in a different color:

http://store.speedo.com/p/all-.....ack/808844

I love the style, it gives great coverage in the back which I don't find very often. I'm not sure if it would work if you need a long suit though.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wow. I have suits from five years ago that are still going along fine -- they've lost a little elasticity but they're still usable. I do tend to rotate suits though, so the same suits don't get used more than once a week. Maybe that helps.

Astrid

Veteran

Speedo also has sporty tankinis made out of Endurance, if that is an option:

http://www.speedousa.com/produ.....6iDFFE6i8M
http://www.speedousa.com/produ.....6iD8VE6i8M
http://www.speedousa.com/produ.....artContent

minimalist

Veteran

That sounds about right, Marin.

Land's End has long-torso suits, but I have no idea how they'd fare for laps use.

Jules

Veteran

Yeah my swimmer friends report this issue as well. My kids' cheap suits don't last much more than 8-10 months of weekly swimming lessons and a summer at the beach. I rinse after the pool. I am not sure washing would be better because I believe it is also hard on the elastic, but might be worth a try.

Anonymous

Thanks for all the help. I do wear tankinis sometimes for laps but prefer a one piece. I will have to try Lands End. I tried a few years back and they were too large at the chest for me. Looks like I need to wash more. I do rinse the suits really well after each use and hang to dry.

Anonymous

Astrid - Thanks for the links to the Speedo tankinis. So much cuter than the utilitarian black one I have. You are right that tankinis are easier for me to fit, especially since I am flat chested but still have butt/thighs to accommodate. I usually end up with a small top, medium bottoms, tummy showing

Astrid

Veteran

I have the same problem as you, although my upper body is not as long. But two pieces are definitely much easier to fit. I was thinking of getting something similar to the Speedo tankini the next time my suit needs replacing. Mine does work but it's not the most flattering.

Kristin SF

Veteran

My lap suits tend to last about 9 mos to a year. My Athleta suits do not last as long as my regular gear swimsuits from TYR or Speedo. You might just stick with those brands. Last summer was the first time I tried Athleta swimsuits, and they were pretty much toast by the fall.

Also, what do you mean by wash? I rinse my suits at the pool, in the shower with me, using the body soap available there. I roll them up in my towel for the journey home, then lie flat to dry. Once in a while, I'll do a quick soak in a chlorine removal solution (cold water) at home. And never wash in the washing machine!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I do the same thing as Kristin when it comes to "washing" my suits. But then I mostly swim in my own pool, which is not heavily chlorinated, and that's only four months out of the year, so maybe I am just not that hard on my suits after all.

Echo

Veteran

My DD wears Speedo suits, and they are usually done-in after a summer's wear, visiting the pool several times a week. I rinse and line dry her suits after each wear, and perhaps children are harder on their suits than adults, but I think it is unavoidable with spandex and chlorine, unfortunately.

Runcarla

Veteran

Astrid has the right of it. I have Speedo ENDURANCE suits that are about 5 years old. 2 of them in rotation and worn at least 2 times per week for 90 min lap swims with Masters. I throw them in the wash with my towels and other laundry, and hang them to dry. 1 plain black with blue trim and one a blue swirly design with black trim. Fly back style fits me best and provides unrestricted shoulder range of motion. About $80 CA per.

The regular Speedos aren't the same nor are other suits like TYR or Nike that seem designed for swim training, but just don't hold up.

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Glory

Veteran

I think that 6 months is about average for heavy use in public pools. Some of the swimmers I know get a little longer out of them by doubling up for practice and saving a good suit for competition.
Even in our backyard pool where the chemicals are minor my daughter will get 2-3 months out of a suit.
Great job on all that swimming!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yup, I agree with the comments about the Endurance material. Regular lycra suits last only a few months before seriously stretching out and thinning, but the Endurance fabric lasts long enough I actually tire of the suit before it wears out. I like Endurance for training, lycra for racing.

Sarah A

Veteran

I havent tried the Endurance material but lately (since Dec at least) have rotated 2 Polyester spendex suits (Finals funkies, Dolphin Uglies are two brands) and they seem better for not fading yet than the Nylon/Lycra spandex blends I had used previolsly (TYR/dolfin).

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Look for a 100% polyester suit. I own ones by Speedo, TYR and Nike and prefer the Speedo, but all of them do the job. They have lasted me *years*. If the lining is polyester, too, then it is indestructible. After two years, the nylon/spandex lining of my Speedo disintegrated, but the suit itself was perfectly fine. Polyester is not as flattering and it's a stiffer fabric, but it will last a very, very long time.

Anonymous

Wow! What great information and serious knowledgable swimmers. Thank you.