Arena Tech Suits Compared: Carbon Air2, Carbon Duo, Carbon Glide, Carbon Core FX
January 22, 2024
In this review, we'll be providing you an in-depth overview on the elite line of arena Carbon Tech Suits and the revolutionary carbon fiber technology in them. Ten times stronger than steel and 80% lighter, Carbon Fiber is the ultimate material for performance and speed in everything from F1 cars to space shuttles. Following years of extensive research and development, arena has discovered a revolutionary way to integrate flexible strands of this extraordinary material into the fabric of all Carbon Series race suits, delivering unprecedented performance and strength without sacrificing flexibility and range of motion. Offering unmatched durability and long-lasting compression – race after race – each arena tech suit in the Carbon Series range features a unique set of features and benefits that make it specific to fit a range of swimmers and disciplines. In this review, we will be discussing each suit from max flexibility to all over compression…and everything in between. Since swimming is such a specific sport, whether you swim distance or sprint, butterfly or freestyle, the type of suit you wear matters. This hands-on review will give you the answers to your questions, and help guide you into choosing the best Arena Tech Suit for you. Now let’s dive in!
Max Flexibility: Arena Carbon Air2 Tech Suits
Arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Air2 Full Body Open Back & Closed Back Tech Suits
The arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Air2 Full Body Open Back Tech Suit (also available in a closed back) is easy to put on and combines the benefits of Carbon Fiber Compression with maximum comfort and sleek construction with minimal seams. The Smart Stretch shoulder strap construction relieves tension and pressure on the shoulders, making the suit more flexible, comfortable, and easier to get on. Horizontal Carbon Fiber Bands woven into both the shell fabric and liner lock down at critical stretch points to provide comfortable, lateral compression and core support and control when and where it's needed. As the name implies, this suit is also extremely lightweight; the woven carbon fiber, Elastane, and Nylon fabric weighs in at an incredibly light 125 g/m2, making the swimmer feel as if they are wearing a second skin. If you’re a swimmer who is looking for a very comfortable and leaning more flexible tech suit, then we highly recom
Arena Men's Powerskin Carbon Air2 Jammer Tech Suit
The arena Men's Carbon Air2 Tech Suit brings forth the benefits of Carbon Fiber compression with unbelievable lightness and flexibility. Utilizing horizontal Carbon Fiber Bands woven into both the shell fabric and liner, this suit offers the perfect combination of lightness and flexibility, with long-lasting compression. Engineered from a single piece of fabric, the minimal seam design of the Air2 delivers the ultimate low drag hydrophobic performance that every swimmer is looking for. With the lightest fabric available in the Carbon Series suits, offering an “almost like air” feel, it’s no wonder that many swimmers looking for an arena tech suit choose this suit for maximum comfort when racing. If you like compression, but also want a suit that’s easy to get on and comfortable, the Arena Carbon Air2 Jammer is for you.
Getting the Perfect Fit: Arena Women’s Powerskin Carbon Duo Tech Suits
This arena Carbon Duo Tech Suit is the first of its kind; the world’s first and only two piece technical racing suit system that allows you to curate the perfect fit and feel for your unique body type. The suit is comprised of (2) pieces that work together to deliver the performance and customized fit of an elite technical racing suit. The bottom of the suit is the arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Duo Jammer Tech Suit. The women’s jammer is a female-specific design and streamlines the lower body with maximum Carbon Fiber compression for effortless glide. The top of the suit is the arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Duo Tech Suit Top. This sleek silhouette utilizes the same Carbon Fiber Bands found in the Carbon Air2 for long-lasting compression combined with maximum flexibility and comfort. Designed specifically for the female competitive swimmer, when worn together, the Carbon Duo’s two-part construction makes it much easier to put on and pull over the hips. Designed to offer unprecedented customization in fit and design, the Carbon Duo allows you to choose different tops (One-piece Top) and bottoms (Jammers) sizes for a customized look, fit, and level of compression.
Targeted Compression: Arena Carbon Glide Tech Suits
Arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Glide Open Back & Closed Back Tech Suits
The Arena Women’s Powerskin Carbon Glide Tech Suit is arena’s most advanced technical racing suit and designed to deliver a sensational underwater glide and feeling of speed. When wearing the Carbon Glide you get to experience the best of both worlds, with equal parts compression and flexibility. By incorporating the Ultra-thin Hydroglide shell fabric in the upper body, the Carbon Glide produces less surface drag and turbulence in the water and offers maximum upper body range of motion. The Carbon Fiber Extreme Cage technology used in the lower body fabric, contains the highest concentration of Carbon Fiber in any Carbon Series suit, and surrounds strategic muscle groups to deliver strong, targeted compression and reduced form drag. The Unique internal taping system instantly activates and interconnects major muscle groups so your body is ready to flow as soon as you hit the water. Available in both open and closed back designs, the Glide allows the swimmer to choose between the ultimate close to the water feel or maximum compression and control. If you are a swimmer who enjoys the best of both worlds, compression and flexibility in your race suit, then the Arena Carbon Glide Tech Suit is for you.
Shop Arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Glide Open Back Tech Suit
Shop Arena Women's Powerskin Carbon Glide Closed Back Tech Suit
Arena Men’s Powerskin Carbon Glide Tech Suit
The arena Men’s Powerskin Carbon Glide Tech Suit is designed to provide a fluid, streamlined feel in the water without sacrificing compression when and where you need it. When wearing the Carbon Glide Suit experience the best of both worlds, with equal parts compression and flexibility. Arena's most advanced technical racing suit, the Glide utilizes ultra-thin Hydroglide fabric that produces less surface drag and turbulence when in the water, without sacrificing flexibility or range of motion. The Carbon Fiber Extreme Cage technology, placed around strategic muscle groups, contains the highest concentration of Carbon Fiber in any Carbon Series suit and delivers strong, targeted compression where needed and reduced form drag. The Unique internal taping system instantly activates and interconnects major muscle groups so your body is ready to flow as soon as you hit the water. This suit provides enough flexibility in the legs but also holds the compression where needed, so you can race longer and more comfortably. The internal and external taping also keeps the suit in place for optimal feel in the water. The drawstring liner utilizes ribbed strings for ease of use when tying your suit to race. If you are a swimmer who enjoys the best of both worlds, compression and flexibility in your race suit, then the arena Carbon Glide Tech Suit is for you.
All-Over Compression: Arena Carbon Core FX Tech Suits
Arena Women’s Carbon Core FX Open Back Tech & Closed Back Tech Suit
Arena Women’s Carbon Core FX Open Back Tech Suit
Arena Women's Carbon Core FX Closed Back Tech Suit
If you enjoy maximum all-over compression then the arena Women’s Carbon Core FX Tech Suit is for you. This elite tech suit is the ultimate pick for sprinters. Why you may ask? The Core FX is arena’s most compressive tech suit utilizing horizontal and vertical carbon fiber bands that create a carbon “cage” across the entire surface to deliver maximum compression, streamline, and lift in the water. This Carbon Cage Compression Technology delivers strong and long-lasting all-over muscle compression with an added locked-in feel. The new Twin-Tape Structure along the back of this suit creates a lifting effect to maintain a high and streamlined body position in the water even with muscle fatigue. The Front Chest Lining utilizes a completely new design that encourages a release of pressure in specific areas to deliver superior upper-body flexibility without sacrificing all-over compression and support (women’s suit only). By incorporating the Large Internal Lining Coverage (also made with Carbon fiber fabric) with this improved lining design and internal taping system, this suit is able to help deliver maximum core stability and body alignment with an evenly-distributed compression profile.
Arena Men’s Carbon Core FX Tech Suit
The arena Men’s Carbon Core FX Tech Suit is one of the most advanced suits on the market. This elite tech suit is heavily preferred by sprinters and is arena’s most compressive suit. The Carbon Core FX utilizes horizontal and vertical carbon fiber bands that create a carbon “cage” across the entire surface to deliver maximum compression, streamline, and lift in the water. This Carbon Cage Compression Technology delivers strong and long-lasting all-over muscle compression and a locked-in feel. The new Twin-Tape Structure along the back of this suit creates a lifting effect to maintain a high and streamlined body position in the water even with muscle fatigue. The internal carbon fiber lining is placed in key areas of the suit while the new lining design and internal taping system delivers maximum lower core stability and body alignment with an evenly-distributed compression profile and locked-in feel. Even with the highest compression offered in the arena Carbon Series, the Core FX remains comfortable and retains its shape even after several races.
After taking a deep dive into the inner workings of Arena tech suits we hope to have opened your eyes to the amazing innovation of Arena's Carbon Fiber technology, the engineering behind each tech suit design, and the benefits each suit is designed to offer. Whether you prefer flexibility, compression, or a near custom fit, arena has a tech suit specific to your needs. Good luck, and happy swimming!