Fastskin

[Goran Colak]

I was thinking of buying a Fastskin for DYN and DNF, I have no experience what so ever on Fastskins, so if anyone knows the best kind (I know there is probably no easy answer to this), the best prices and stores to buy... How tight Fastskin must be, how much more weight you mast put on in compare with naked swim, well just any useful info about Fastskins will be more the helpful.

 

[Haydn]

Try researching the competitive swimming web sites.

 

[chrismar]

For swimmers, the FS-Pro is considered by most to be the 'best'. I've started to do comps in one and Ant swims in one too (or was it an FSII?). Three other guys in NZ use the TYR skins, which I believe don't have quite as much compression as the Speedos.

For weighting, it's illegal to have any flotation in the suit for swimmers, so use the same weight as you would normally. The suit should be bloody tight, to the point that you don't think it's even going to fit when putting it on. They're fitted to the body and designed for compression, so they take a good ten minutes to put on. Try one on at a reputable swim shop, they'll know about sizes. Oh, and when they're on, they're pretty comfortable, don't worry.

From a benefit point of view, you'll notice a longer and smoother glide (assuming you've got good streamlining anyway), plus an increase in speed at the same effort level. For a more scientific approach, I defer to Ant, Kerian and Dave to fill you in.

 

[ADR]

Ant has the FS-Pro

 

[shoutatthesky]

I was thinking of buying a Fastskin for DYN and DNF, I have no experience what so ever on Fastskins, so if anyone knows the best kind (I know there is probably no easy answer to this), the best prices and stores to buy... How tight Fastskin must be, how much more weight you mast put on in compare with naked swim, well just any useful info about Fastskins will be more the helpful.

Well I don't own a fastskin suit yet but I would say wearing one would cut down on the embarressment of swimming nakedrofl

Seriously though I have tried finding somewhere that sells these suits and no one has any in stock - just catalogs (which is understandable given the level of demand must be quite low). Can anyone in the Oz/NZ contingent give me any directions to a supplier for TYR or Speedo.

I use an Orca pflex for technique training but getting bouyancy right is a real mission. I do however find the added efficiency quite noticeble so it would be great to have that efficiency without the bouyancy hassles.

 

[chrismar]

Well I don't own a fastskin suit yet but I would say wearing one would cut down on the embarressment of swimming nakedrofl

Seriously though I have tried finding somewhere that sells these suits and no one has any in stock - just catalogs (which is understandable given the level of demand must be quite low). Can anyone in the Oz/NZ contingent give me any directions to a supplier for TYR or Speedo.

I use an Orca pflex for technique training but getting bouyancy right is a real mission. I do however find the added efficiency quite noticeble so it would be great to have that efficiency without the bouyancy hassles.

The swim shop in Wellington, opposite Freyberg pool, is where a bunch of us got our suits. They're the best ones to talk to.

 

[BennyB]

Has anyone noticed any clear advantage/disadvantage between using a fastskin suit (no buoyancy ~ less weight) and a smoothskin neoprene suit with more weight (buoyant but weighed down)?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Goran Colak]

I've been browsing a bit and FS-pro seems to be nice choice... so I have practically decided my mind.... Only one thing do, seems I'll have to buy it online, can't find it anyware in Croatian stores... So how to buy something like that online? Can I send my measurements or what? Do anyone has any experience in this?

 

[Narsil]

The Wellington Swim Shop is appently the only retail outlet that sells them in NZ Shoutathesky. Not cheap though.

I had a look there before the last comp in late September. They don't and won't stock speedo suits in a size that will fit the slightly errr thicker... body shape of a 45 year old sadly. :rcard

I might have a look in Aussy next time I cross the ditch.

 

[watts]

I use the arms off fs1 for dnf with a 2mm vest under to keep my core warm . I bought it super cheap off ebay. I also recently bought a chinese Yingfa full suit which doesnt fit aswell as speedo but are really cheap. Ying Fa Swimwear from YingFa Australia. Check this out. The Bodysuit Problem

 

[Chicago.swimmer]

I have a pair Nike Hydra tights and a pair of Speedo FS-II legskins. I think they certainly make a difference. Unless I really had a chance on the Olympic time trials I'm not sure the other expensive suits like FS-Pro are really worth it.

I get all my stuff at SwimOutlet: Men's Swimwear: SwimOutlet.com - The Web's Most Popular Swim Shop!

They always seems to have the cheapest prices.

Hope this helps.
Robert