Suit Up for Success: Tips for Picking Team Swimsuits
The choice of swimsuits and gear by swim team members is not merely for aesthetic reasons; it also directly affects performance, team spirit, and the period of your investment. Coaches, swimmers, and parents are all interested in suits that are comfortable, last throughout the season, and are able to withstand both training and competition.
However, with many different styles, patterns, and fabrics available, how do you get the right one?
The first step is to identify the purpose: Training or competition
Swimsuits aren't the same; that's for sure. The first thing to clarify is the intended usage of the suits.
- Practice Suits: Geared toward durability and long life. These are made with hardwearing fabrics such as polyester that offer excellent training performance and resist chlorine.
- Competition Suits: They are the fastest and the best. These are typically made from technical fabrics that help reduce drag and muscle compression so that swimmers can be more efficient in the water.
Fabrics that are mostly used in competitive swimsuits
The swimsuit fabric plays a vital role in both performance and durability. Here is a quick rundown of the common materials:
- Polyester: The most chlorine-resistant and durable. The best practice swimsuits and team apparel for the season-long usage of these are.
- PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate): A stretchy and flexible material that is more comfortable. It is found mostly in swimsuits for long training.
- Lycra/Spandex: They are body-hugging and comfortable, but they wear faster when exposed to chlorine constantly. Hence, they are more suitable for limited use.
- Technical Fabrics: These are the materials that are used in the tech suits for competitions. These blends have been designed to enhance performance by repelling water, body compression, and drag reduction.
Fit is One of the Most Important Factors
A well-fitting swimsuit is the biggest factor in performance and comfort. As for swimmers, they should be snug fitting in order to stay in position and give support but not be too narrow fitting that they are going to restrict movement or breathing. For ladies' different back styles and strap widths can influence comfort and fit. Male swimmers mostly choose briefs or jammers, depending on what they like but are more dependable on compression and coverage.
Swimwear sizing can be significantly different among various brands, so if it's possible, try to fit swimmers into the suits before putting a team order. This way, each swimmer can find the size that suits them best, and the team will avoid delays from returns or exchanges.
Don’t Neglect Being Durable
It might seem attractive to go with the cheap options, but the truth is that less expensive suits tend to sacrifice durability. Swim team suits made with high-quality fabrics are those that are resistant to changes and stay in shape for a long time. A good example of this is for younger swimmers or year-round programs that last for a whole season with just the needed durability.
Show the Team with Custom Swimwear
Custom swim team suits are an essential way to visually and mentally bring the team together. Whether it is a logo printed on the chest or uniforms in a coordinated color scheme, custom swimwear not only raises team identity but also strengthens it and thus increases morality among teammates. Moreover, it gives your team a unique look at the competitions - a streamlined, uniform appearance that sends a clear message your swimmers are ready to compete.
Besides the suits, many teams also include caps, warm-up gear, and backpacks that match the branding, which reinforces the concept of team identity and cohesion. It's a simple thing that can help build pride, confidence, and connection among swimmers.
Select a Brand You Can Trust for Uniformity
The reason why swim teams rely on top brands like Speedo, TYR, Arena, Dolfin, Mizuno, and Nike is because these companies are known for their strong material and designs that have been tested for performance over the seasons. Once you choose a brand, you will benefit from the easy ordering process in the future and more consistent sizing.
Swim Gear Align with the Swimmer's Level
Beginners and young swimmers usually do not require high-compression technical suits the most. The first priority should be comfort and fit; deciding on the right brand only comes after. As swimmers develop and start competing more in a serious manner, it becomes worthwhile to try technical competition swimsuits which have the technology to improve water dynamics and durability.
By giving your team, the right equipment for their skill level and age, you make sure that they are all set up for success without over-investing.
Make the Process Easy for Everyone
An organized gear order is the first step towards a successful season. Swim teams who partner with a swimwear firm are able to streamline the ordering process by creating custom team pages online. These webpages eliminate confusion as they only provide a direct link for swimmers and their families to order the right gear in the right sizes, which makes their work easy.
The best starting point for the ordering process is before the season, in order to have enough time for things like customization, shipping, and distribution. The sooner you can plan the way you want, the less trouble you will face because of the swimming meets and practices which are starting to increase.
Additional Swim Gear
Team swimsuits are essential, but it's not just swim gear alone. Also included in your list is training equipment such as goggles, kickboards, fins, and mesh gear bags to be part of your check list. Many programs also have optional spirit wear available like hoodies, parkas, and hats for the swimmers, their families, and fans.
Providing a complete gear list at the beginning of the session ensures that there is consistency, and it will also reduce any confusion. Further, it will also promote a strong sense of team spirit in and out of the pool.
Ready to Outfit Your Team?
When it comes to the purchase of swim gear for the team, it is essential to have a dedicated resource which can create a real difference. Elsmore Swim Shop partners with clubs, high schools, and colleges across the country to provide customized team sales support. Through their team sales program, teams can create a personalized web page which will make the ordering process for suits, clothing, and accessories simple for swimmers and families.
From fittings of suits to logo designs, and online ordering, Elsmore makes it easier for teams by implementing the whole process -- so you would only focus on training and not on tracking gear. Whether it is a small local squad or managing fleet swimmers across age groups, their team sales support ensures everyone is fit to compete.
To learn more about how to get started, visit the Team Sales page and connect with a rep who understands the unique needs of your program.