Kit to help you swim faster
Can you buy swimming speed? Simon Griffiths explores which clothing and accessories can make a difference to your race times
In triathlon, athletes spend thousands of pounds on kit that gives them an advantage: new wheels, special handle bars, aerodynamic water bottles… and it works. In cycling, you can ‘buy speed’. Does the same hold true in swimming?
You might describe swimming as a purer sport than cycling. Swimmers are certainly less dependent on kit. But even with the minimal kit we use, your choices make a difference. Let’s have a look at some ways you can buy speed in swimming.
Swimming costumes to help you swim faster
Anything loose or baggy will slow you down. At a minimum, if you want to optimise for speed, get a tight-fitting costume. For additional speed, you may want to try a specialised racing suit. These more expensive costumes provide muscle compression and reduced water resistance. If you want to use one in a pool race, it must be approved by World Aquatics. You can use these in some open water races but always check the rules. More traditional organisations may not allow them.
You can also go one step further in open water with a full length costume (for both men and women) as you see in the Olympics, but again, check the rules.
Speedy wetsuits
A swimming wetsuit makes the majority of swimmers faster – something like 3 to 7 seconds per 100m is common. They lift you in the water and the sleek coatings reduce drag. Even an entry-level swimming wetsuit will make you faster. If you pay more, expect improved flexibility around the shoulders, which should improve performance over longer distances. Note the biggest change is between no wetsuit and a wetsuit. The performance gains from spending more money are there, but not so noticeable. However, a general purpose or ill-fitting wetsuit may make you slower.
What about goggles?
Your biggest concern with goggles should be that they are comfortable, secure and leak-proof. Emptying your goggles mid-swim will slow you down more than anything you might gain from improved streamlining. That said, at the highest level where every 1/100th of a second counts, swimmers use low-profile goggles.
Swimming hat
You may be able to make minor gains by having a well-fitted wrinkle free swimming hat. Pool swimmers sometimes race with two hats to reduce wrinkles.
Anti-chafing products
These are definitely worth the investment for sea swims. Chafing can ruin your swim. The discomfort will be a distraction at best and an event-ender at worse.
How about shaving?
This might be going to extremes, but shaving before a swim is said to reduce water resistance and improve your feel for the water. For men, a stubbly chin can leave a burn mark on your upper arms. Bearded or clean shaven is better than stubble.
Training accessories
While training aids such as hand paddles, pull buoys and fins are not normally allowed in events, they can be useful in training, helping you to refine your skills and technique. Hand paddles allow you to apply more power to the water and can be used to help build strength, which should in turn lead to speed. Pull buoys lift your legs higher in the water, keeping them in a streamline position and saving you energy. Meanwhile, fins increase the effective surface area of your feet and can help you swim faster. They can be useful in training to work on streamlining and core-strength, and to get a feel for what high-speed swimming is like.
Buying speed in swimming is cheaper than cycling, although a new top-end wetsuit will cost in excess of £500. Luckily, the differences aren’t so marked. Swimming in a standard swimming costume, hat and goggles may be marginally slower than a full racing suit, low-profile goggles and sleek hat, but you can often make up for it with great pacing and cunning race tactics.
Women’s kit to help you swim faster
ORCA Core One Piece Thin Strap Swimsuit
£39
A well-priced swimsuit that’s streamlined for pool training sessions. Compressive fabric gives support, while a high leg and sprint back allows freedom of movement.
RYZON Afire Series Performance
£110
If you’re after a sporty cut for pool training sessions, this is definitely a brand to consider. With a high leg, slim straps and a compressive fit, it has a barely-there feel that glides through the water.
ZONE3 Kneeskin Performance Speed
£65
Race-day speed at a lower price. Comfortable, buoyant, and flattering, this kneeskin impressed in butterfly and freestyle, despite light compression and less than usual chest coverage.
Men’s kit to help you swim faster
SPEEDO FastSkin LZR Pure Valor 2.0
£235
Reserve these jammers for races where you want to perform your best. Once on, you can hardly feel them and the flexibility is great, with no restriction in movement across all four strokes.
ORCA Racing Jammer
£179
These racing jammers were tight but allowed full movement once on. Despite a short drawstring, they stayed secure and performed well across all strokes. Reliable race-day compression, comfort and speed.
SHARK REBELLION Partisan Jammer, 69CHF
69CHF
Comfortable, sleek and stylish – ideal for training swims. We love the bold colours and contrasting logo. They’re made with fishing nets and industrial plastic removed from the ocean.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.
Jo Tinsley
Jo is the Gear Editor for Outdoor Swimmer and also writes news and features for the website. A keen open water swimmer and long-distance walker, she loves seeking out lakes and lidos close to her home in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. She is the author of The Slow Traveller, editor and founder of independent magazine, Ernest, and has previously tested outdoor clothing and kit for BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Focus and Ernest Journal.
