How to Fit a Swimming Race Suit (Without Losing Your Cool!)
A swimming race suit only gives you the edge if it fits properly. We highly recommend visiting our shop for one of our experts to help obtain the best fit but we've also produced this guidance to help.
Race suits (often called tech suits) are built far tighter than your training costume. That compression which makes the suit look small and feel tight is what holds your body in a streamlined position and reduces drag, but it also means you can't just pop the suit on and race - preparation and patience is needed.
The good news: with the right technique it's straightforward. Allow around 5-10 minutes for a jammer and 10-20 minutes for a women's kneeskin, especially the first few times. Some of the newest Arena suits such as the Arena Powerskin Veloce and Arena Powerskin Primo add increased flexibility which reduces these times.
Here's how to do it.
Start with the right size
No fitting technique can rescue the wrong size, so measure before you buy rather than guessing from your training suit. Also, suits stretch over time so don't assume you're the same size as the current suit you're wearing if you've had it more than a few months.
Real world experience has taught us that most swimmers fall within multiple size categories, for example a different size for the hip and waist measurement. In these circumstance we normally start with the largest size that any of the measurements sit within. In addition, swimmers often need to size up or down 1 size from the size guide depending on whether the suit style generally fits small or big and whether this is the swimmers first race suit or they are competing on the international stage. If in doubt just get in touch with the Swimsport team before you order and we'll help you choose.
Before you start
A few minutes of prep saves a lot of wrestling later.
- Give yourself time. Always give yourself time to try on a race suit for the first time. Similarly, on race day, never leave it until the last minute to put your race suit on. Rushing is how suits get torn.
- Be completely dry. Damp skin makes the fabric grab and drag.
- Check your nails. Trim and file fingernails (and toenails) beforehand. Sharp edges are the number one cause of tears in race suit fabric. Some swimmers wear thin cotton gloves for extra protection.
- Flip the leg grippers. Turn the silicone grippers at the bottom of each leg inside out so they face away from your skin. Men may find it helps to fold over the waistband gripper too.
- Roll the legs down. Gather each leg of the suit down towards the opening, a bit like rolling a sock or a pair of tights, so you can step straight in.
Getting the suit on, step by step
The golden rule: little and often. Small, even movements every time!
- Sit down and step in. Sitting on a bench keeps you steady. Put one foot through, then ease that leg up to just below the knee before doing the same with the other leg.
- Match the legs. Bring both legs up over the knees so they sit at the same height. Uneven legs put extra strain on one side of the suit. Try and get the grippers a bit higher than where they'll be once finished as this helps position the suit around the waist and crotch.
- Inch it up evenly. Alternate between legs, moving the fabric a couple of centimetres at a time. Keep any excess fabric moving upwards rather than bunching lower down.
- Use your finger pads, not your nails. Pinch and lift with flat fingers or the palms of your hands. Never dig in or claw at the fabric.
- Pull gently on the strong bits. Where you can, grip the seams, taped areas or double-layered panels rather than a single thin layer of fabric. Pulling hard on a weaker mid-panel section is how tears can happen.
- Take the hips slowly. This is the hardest part for most swimmers and why this is often the defining measurement when choosing the right size. Stand up, keep working the fabric up in small sections, and resist the urge to pull from the waistband.
- Check alignment as you go. Seams and taping should run straight and symmetrically down each leg. Fix any twist now, while it's still easy.
Women's kneeskins: torso and straps
Once the suit is over your hips, the torso is usually easier going.
- Work up the body gradually. Ease the suit up over your stomach and chest in the same small, even movements, smoothing the fabric across your sides as you go.
- Keep the straps high. Hold the straps above the rest of the suit and alternate: lift from the body, then lift from the straps, then repeat.
- One arm at a time. When the suit is sitting just below your armpits, bring one strap over your shoulder, then the other. Don't overstretch a strap to get it there quickly.
- Ask for a hand. A teammate helping with the straps is completely normal, and they can check your back is positioned correctly too.
- Settle the fit. Adjust across your chest and back so the straps sit flat without cutting in.
Final checks: how it should feel
A well-fitted race suit feels firm and supportive everywhere, with no wrinkles, air pockets or loose fabric.
- Seams straight: seams and taping sit symmetrically on both sides.
- Legs level: both leg openings finish at the same height above the knee.
- Grippers down: flip the leg grippers back so they sit against your skin. Some swimmers leave them up until just before their race, which is fine as long as you remember.
- Straps comfortable: snug but not digging into your shoulders. You should be able to lift the straps off the shoulder one to two inches otherwise they are too tight.
- Full range of movement: A brand-new suit may need a little movement to settle in, but nothing should restrict your stroke or kick.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most race suit damage happens on dry land, not in the water. Steer clear of these:
- Putting the suit on while wet, or with lotion on your skin
- Using fingernails to grip the fabric
- Pulling hard from the waistband or straps
- Pulling one leg all the way up before the other
- Leaving it to the last minute before your race
- Wearing the suit for warm-ups and training sessions, which uses up its competitive life
Taking it off and looking after it
How you treat the suit after the race decides how many races it lasts.
- Peel, don't pull. Roll the suit down gently from the top rather than dragging it off by the legs. It usually comes off more easily while you're still damp.
- Rinse in cold water. Rinse by hand in fresh, cool water with a small amount of a mild soap suitable for delicate garments straight after use to remove chlorine. Alternatively use race suit wash especially on expensive suits to help extend their life.
- Dry it naturally. Always lay it flat to dry naturally and keep it away from direct sunlight or heat. Do not use a tumble dryer or similar product.
- Store it flat and dry. Keep it away from anything sharp, such as zips or Velcro in your kit bag. Ideally keep the box or bag the suit came in to store it safely.
Suit up with Swimsport
Take your time, treat the fabric kindly, and your suit will be ready to perform race after race.
Looking for your next race suit? We stock the latest race suits online and in store from Arena, Speedo and selected other brands. Browse our race suit collection or ask the team for help finding the right fit.