Introduction

Welcome to the SwimOutlet Tech Suit Review! For the 10th iteration of SwimOutlet’s long-standing series, and the world's leading review guide for elite women’s tech suits and men’s tech suits, I have come aboard along with 4 new reviewers. Between them all, they boast multiple Olympic medals, world championship competitions, and national records.

Before I dive into our star-studded cast of reviewers, I want to introduce myself. I am Sonny Trigg, also known as TheSwimsuitGuy. On my independent, unbiased YouTube channel, I have given detailed analysis and reviews of 60+ tech suits over the last 5 years. In addition, I have coached at the world-class level, with athletes winning World and Commonwealth medals under my tutelage. 

Before that, I swam at the Olympic Trials and broke Masters World Records. So, if you are looking for an elite online training program, check out my website and you'll see your new personal best in no time!

I am super excited to be part of this project as someone who has always looked at SwimOutlet as the world's leading store for not just tech suits but anything swimming-related!

While in the past my reviews have relied solely on my opinion, to make this the most comprehensive resource ever, we brought along some of the best swimmers in the world.

This year's review brings in brand new tech suits that were released ahead of the Paris Olympic Games (so you may have seen some of them during the Games), as well as, new reviews of tech suits that have previously been featured. This is simply because these "older" suits are still being worn by some of the best swimmers in the world.

As with any purchasing decision, the SwimOutlet Tech Suit Review is just one resource for you to use along with things like product information pages, customer comments and reviews, sizing charts, feedback from your coaches and peers, and general brand information.

As in the past, we divided each suit review into three sections:

• Size/Fit
• Technology
• Who is This For?

To help our readers better decipher the different attributes of each suit, our comprehensive scoring system is determined by the average scores in each category, providing an easy-to-reference grading scale (1-5) for several attributes.

The grading scale is:

1. Unsatisfactory
2. Satisfactory
3. Good
4. Very Good
5. Outstanding

The specific suit scoring categories are:

What We Are Reviewing 

SwimOutlet.com got their hands on the latest tech suits from all the top brands. The reviewers had extensive time to test the full range of tech suits in both training and racing settings to ensure they had a comprehensive idea of how these suits perform and who they are best suited for.

Since SwimOutlet last released a Tech Suit Review, there have been some ground breaking new tech suit launches that have elevated the performance of swimmers on a worldwide scale. The technological and mechanical advancements that have started to roll out in tech suit designs are a common theme amongst all brands. This means that as the end user, you have so many choices when it comes to picking a top-tier racing suit to help you swim faster than ever. In this review, we will look at the latest releases and flagship tech suits from the major brands. However, SwimOutlet offers a much broader range of suits than featured here at an array of price points.

Of course, a suit doesn’t make a swimmer. You have done all the hard work already -- the suit is simply going to give you that extra boost on race day to get under your personal best. 

Elite Tech Suit Trends

As we have seen tech suits advance year after year, almost all brands have decided that there is no such thing as a “suit for everyone”. Instead, they have tried to make tech suits for certain types of swimmers. Arena has four suit options for both men and women, FINIS has one, Mizuno has three, Speedo two, and TYR two (TYR has three for men). That means there is a suit out there that will be perfect for YOU. 

Within all these options, there are two main types of suits. You get suits that are amazing all-around and suits that have advanced features for more specific needs.

The all-arounders are normally thin, light, and don’t have extra bells and whistles. They have no attributes that will prevent you from liking them and they can do it all. These suits are normally more appropriate for middle-distance and distance swimmers, but you will likely see them within every single race even at an elite level. These suits normally feature just one fabric.

The following suits fall into this category:

The more advanced options generally have enhanced features for specific tasks. A great example of this is hamstring taping which mechanically helps kick in sprint races. When you kick downwards, the tape stretches and gives you a rebound effect supporting your upward kick. We also see the use of strategically placed taping or a combination of different fabrics to give targeted and increased compression in certain areas. Compression increases blood flow in the muscles which increases performance but can be uncomfortable over longer races or negatively affect mobility and movement if racing a range of strokes in races such as individual medleys.

The following suits fall into this more advanced category:

• arena Primo
• arena Carbon Glide
• Mizuno GX Sonic VI NV
• Mizuno GX Sonic VI CR
• TYR Shockwave
• TYR Venzo
• Finis Hydrox
• Speedo Pure Intent 2.0

The area that I see the most massive strides being made is buoyancy. Buoyancy was the main factor as to why the 2009 super suits were so impactful and with the limited coverage we have in modern suits, it has taken 15 years for manufacturers to really get their heads around making a suit that gives you considerable lift in the water. The two main methods of creating this sensation are by using multiple layers of fabric and taping. The more buoyancy you have, the higher you sit in the water, the less drag you have, and consequently the faster you swim.

Creating new tech suits takes years of research and testing as well as collaboration with the best swimmers in the world. Using flumes, they can test how different suits contribute to a swimmer's biomechanics in the water and how much drag they reduce. These decisions create objective and measurable performance increases.

Finding a Suit For You

Because no two swimmers are alike, from their body type to what events they race, just one opinion won’t tell the full story about any specific tech suit. Because of this, not only will I be giving my opinion, but I have four world-class swimmers giving their opinions as well.

Of these world-class swimmers, two are sprinters, and two swim middle distance (and world-class IM) and above. Generally, sprinters want more compression from their suit and all the extra advantages that taping, dual layering, and multiple fabrics can offer.

Middle-distance swimmers who race longer events and a range of strokes generally prioritize and desire comfort above all else.

Now let's get into what these tech suits have to offer...

Elite Tech Suit Reviewers 

Sonny Trigg aka TheSwimsuitGuy is joined by two brand new male reviewers and two new female reviewers in this 2025 review. Sonny is a world renowned expert on tech suits, and we at SwimOutlet like to call him the "Tech Suit Whisperer." Sonny still competes in a range of events that mostly consist of freestyle, butterfly, and breaststroke sprints over the 50 and 100 distances. He loves the utmost compression and thinks buoyancy is the most important factor of a suit.

Dare Rose is a sprint butterfly swimmer, training with the Cal Bears. During the NCAA season, he wears the Speedo Pure Valor due to Cal’s Speedo sponsor but opts for Mizuno suits internationally and loves their taping and compression.

Tom Peribonio is an Olympian in the 200 and 400 IM and gravitates to breaststroke when it comes to swimming one of the strokes individually. His all-time favorite suit was the now-discontinued Mizuno GX Sonic III MR.

Mary Sophie-Harvey is a Canadian Olympian and she is an international threat in a range of events. Her bread and butter would be the 200 and 400 IM, but she is also world-class at 100/200/400 freestyle, 100/200 backstroke, and 100 butterfly. Swimming the medleys means Mary needs a suit that can complement all four strokes for a lengthy duration. Comfortable straps are a huge importance, but she still wants to feel assistance from the suit. In the past she has generally gravitated to the TYR Avictor and Speedo Pure Valor for competitions.

Marina Spadoni is an out-and-out sprinter. Her favorite events are the 50 freestyle and butterfly splash and dash. Marina is the fastest Salvadorian in history in the 50m butterfly. Marina has often worn the Speedo Pure Valor throughout her career.

arena Primo

The Primo is arena’s biggest innovation since they first launched a Carbon Fiber suit. Tom says, “arena finally went away from their carbon material and designed something more comfortable that feels just as fast, or faster!”

The Primo is intended to be arena’s one suit to rule them all and their ultimate flagship. Primo is Italian for first and arena is confident that this is the first suit on the market to do a lot of things.

→ Shop all arena tech suits

Size/Fit

Sonny Trigg: This suit can give you all the compression of your previous favorite sprint suits while still being extremely comfortable. Getting the right size is vital and I had to upsize to get the perfect fit with this. If it is difficult to put on, that is a big indicator that your primo is too small and you could go up a size. When fitting correctly it slides on with complete ease. One of the main reasons this was made possible was the use of Hyperforce, a tensoelastic fabric. This allows the Primo to have a property that no other suit in history has had. While all other suits in this review only reach maximum compression when the fabric is at 100% stretch, the Primo can reach maximum compression at just 50% stretch. This means the suit has freedom of movement and comfort while still giving you maximum compression and all the enhancements that it brings.

Dare Rose: I haven’t worn arena much at all but really liked the suit and the comfort of it, just wished it had a higher waist (arena say its waist height is adjustable). The suit fits well and it wasn’t hard to put on compared to some other suits. The comfort was awesome for shorter races but I would consider the compression to be on the higher side for races that are 200 or longer.

Tom Peribonio: I think the suit fits well, I have always liked arena suits and how they fit. I do like high waisted suits so that may be the only thing that is missing for me to really like this suit. You can pull the suit up higher than say the Carbon Air2 but not quite enough to my liking, especially on the back of the suit.

Marina Spadoni: Extremely unique suit with interesting compression zones. The very first time I put it on I was skeptical of the fit but as soon as you hit the water the suit completely changes and molds to your body. One of my biggest issues with tech suits is finding ones that fit my hips and glutes correctly and I feel like this one was perfect. It didn’t pull on my hamstrings or cause any discomfort on the start or in flip turns. I thought the chest/core compression was very interesting because it provides a wrapping sensation around the lower ribs. It had plenty of room for wider hips and I found the straps easy to get on and off with minimal assistance.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I found the shoulder straps to be ok for shorter distances but start to discomfort over longer periods. The solid compression makes it a great suit for shorter races. I also appreciate that this suit comes in standard and long torso models for further increased fit.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: This suit is a masterpiece. Four years of development went into this. The Primo was an end game project. A suit to end all suits and while arena are happy it coincided with the Paris Olympics, that was by pure coincidence. They were not rushing it for anything.

The new Hyperforce Fabric is permanently hydrophobic and because it never has to be at full stretch like other models, it isn’t over stretched which would normally cause fabric breakdown and consequently decrease the performance of the suit. This suit will continue performing well all season long.

Dare Rose: The best part trying this suit on was jumping in the water and seeing how much the suit glowed with water repellency; far more than any suit I’ve tried. I also noticed that there is channeling on the back of the suit which arena says lowers surface drag.

Marina Spadoni: The Primo also features a completely overhauled shoulder strap design for arena. It has fewer pressure points for optimal comfort and increased stability. There is also an internal x-tape construction on the torso of the support which creates core stability and helps limit excessive torso rotation by connecting the hips to the upper body.

Who is This Suit For?

Tom Peribonio: The suit feels really fast without it being overly uncomfortable. It is rare you get symphony of those two properties. It is a versatile suit, maybe not perfect for every event but it can definitely be used for multiple different races. I think it would suit any sprint and mid distance swimmer, the 100/200 range especially was a sweet spot and I liked it on all strokes. Personally I preferred it on free and fly and found the hip compression a tad high for breaststroke. I did some back end pace work and my legs felt great during the entire set. It definitely helps with body line and buoyancy a good bit.

Sonny Trigg: While I may have said earlier that most manufacturers have started to make suits for more specific swimmers or events, the goal of the Primo was to make one suit that was simply the best. A suit for all swimmers, a suit for all events. I think they managed to nail this and I have seen swimmers wear it at international meets from the 50 Free to the 1500 Free. Personally, I am most impressed by how buoyant this suit is and how it consistently aids me from the start to the finish of a race. The hamstring taping that runs in two parallel lines down the back supports my legs and this basically stops me dying towards the end of a race.

Dare Rose: I’d recommend this suit for sprint freestylers and butterfliers. I didn’t try it for backstroke and breastroke but think it could work for backstroke just as well.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I’d recommend this suit for sprinters, and more specifically swimmers that race butterfly and freestyle. This racing suit makes me feel compressed in all the right places for those kind of races.

Marina Spadoni: This is a perfect suit for a sprinter. I think if you liked the Carbon Core then you’ll love this suit. I felt like this suit had strong compression and I liked the way it helped me sit higher in the water.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 4
Compression - 4.25
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 4.5
Looks & Design - 4.5

→ Shop all arena Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 3.5
Compression - 4.25
Ease to Put On - 3.25
Performance - 4.75
Looks & Design - 5

→ Shop all arena Women's tech suits

arena Carbon Glide

This tech suit has the densest carbon fiber cage of any arena model and it results in a really unique suit. This Carbon Extreme Cage somehow manages to give extreme muscle compression with a light feel. Sonny’s first thoughts were “This suit is thick and the material is really unique, it has a dense weave of carbon fiber but still has a lot of give”.

Size/Fit

Tom Peribonio: I really like how this suit feels. Overall, I have always been a fan of the arena range as far as fit. I think it compresses in the right areas without it being too restrictive.

Dare Rose: The arena Carbon Glide has two different materials on it for compression and comfort. It puts a little compression on the right places while still being very comfortable.

Sonny Trigg: I thought it would be a lot more restrictive due to the thickness and quantity of carbon fiber but that is not the case. This suit sits slightly higher than the Air but is not a high waisted suit by any means. Putting it on was a positive process.

Marina Spadoni: The Arena Carbon Glide is incredibly comfortable and the straps are easy to get on and off without any help. My biggest issue with most suits is having a good amount of compression on my legs while also fitting my hips and I felt like this one was spot on for my proportions. The chest compression was perfect, in the fact that I felt like there was plenty of flexibility in my lats so that I could comfortably do any stroke.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I’m a big fan of this suit, I felt like it was an equal marriage of compression and flexibility.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: While targeted compression comes from the Carbon Extreme Cage, it is still an ultra light suit thanks to the Hydroglide fabric. The Hydroglide is super smooth, almost waxy to the touch and helps create extra glide and speed while reducing turbulence and drag. The suit also has a carbon infused muscle lining to further support major muscle groups.

Tom Peribonio: It is thick material, and feels like it will last many races.

Who is This For?

Tom Peribonio: I think this is a great suit for a sprint to mid distance swimmer. I do feel like the suit can get a little bit thick and compressive for a longer race. For the 100/200 swimmer, the suit feels perfect. It makes you feel fast. The only thing I wish it had more of was buoyancy.

Dare Rose: I loved the versatility of this suit. I would recommend this suit for a breaststroker specifically but I used it for butterfly in one of my races. I think anything from a 100 to a 200 would work best. I like how fast it feels with having good mobility and comfort throughout the race. It was a little tight at the end of a 200 butterfly but this might be since I took my race out very quick.

Sonny Trigg: This suit is for middle distance swimmers who want a perfect package of support and mobility.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: Because of the extra compression on the legs and flexibility on the upper body, I would recommend this suit for breaststrokers.
Marina Spadoni: In my opinion, this is the perfect suit for any short-axis stroke swimmer (butterfly or breaststroke) and I would even say that anyone who relies heavily on underwaters in their races because the legs are moderately compressive to combat lactic acid buildup but the hips and upper body are flexible enough to allow for a full range of motion. I really like this suit! It’s comfortable and fast. My singular complaint is that the double lining in the back of the suit makes it look like you have another suit on underneath (aka diaper butt).

Men's Overall
Comfort - 3.75
Compression - 3.75
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 3.75
Looks & Design - 3.75

→ Shop all arena Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 4
Compression - 3
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 4
Looks & Design - 3

→ Shop all arena Women's tech suits

arena Carbon Air2

Arena’s lightest suit features bands of carbon fiber. My first thoughts were “I can’t believe how thin this suit is, it's like paper.” Tom said, “the best way to describe this suit is probably weightless”.

Size/Fit

Dare Rose: It fit me very well and the only thing is the waist doesn’t have much flexibility so getting it above my hips was a bit harder. Other than that, the rest of the suit is extremely comfortable and feels good in the water. I really enjoyed the comfort and flexibility of this suit.

Tom Peribonio: You know exactly what you are getting with the Carbon Air2. It is very comfortable and uses a thin material that gives a lot of flexibility. I think the only flaw with the comfort is the leg grippers are very tight and lead to discomfort. The suit helps you feel extremely light and the legs have just enough compression so they don't feel like they will die.

Sonny Trigg: The Air2 is as comfortable as they come but I just wish that they offered this in high waist as well.

Marina Spadoni: This suit was extremely comfortable and I would have no problem wearing it for an extended period or a longer race. I did feel like it was a bit tight on my lats and I asked a friend to help adjust the back (aka pull up the part that comes over the lats). But once it’s adjusted it sits very comfortably.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I’d say this suit offers the same amount of compression on all the parts of the suits which makes it a very comfortable suit. The Carbon Air 2 doesn’t have comfort straps. I like how comfortable you feel in the water, there’s no restrictions of movements which makes it easy to swim all four strokes.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: Take the most papery, thin and light tech suit in the world then strengthen it with horizontal bands of carbon fiber and the Air2 this is the outcome. The carbon doesn’t just increase the longevity of the suit but it also aids with compression.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The Air2 differs from the original Air suit because it is made from just one piece of fabric, with just one bonded seam holding it together. This makes it easier to put on, lets it absorb less water and aids comfort. It has panels of internal lining which make it have less compression over the chest.

Who is This For?

Dare Rose: This suit would be great for anyone who needs less compression on their legs. It would work for any stroke, 200s and above.

Tom Peribonio: The thing I love the most about this suit is the range of events you can use this suit for, from sprint to distance. For me, feeling no restrictions in all 4 strokes is a huge benefit. I would recommend this suit for a swimmer that is looking for a suit to cover multiple events. A very versatile suit with good performance, I think if you swim multiple events or are looking for comfort and no restrictions, this is the suit for you.

Sonny Trigg: This is for swimmers who want a suit that won’t restrict them in any way. While most suits in this class I would recommend solely for 200 events and above, I do think that the extra compression the carbon provides means you can literally wear this suit for anything and everything.

Marina Spadoni: I think overall it was a nice and versatile suit, I would be very comfortable wearing it in any stroke. I love that it also gives a nice clean silhouette which always looks great on race day. I would recommend this suit to anyone who doesn’t like intense compression. This used to be my go-to suit for the 200 backstroke so I think that this would be a great option for any swimmer that races the 200 and up.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I’d recommend the Arena Carbon Air 2 for swimmers who prioritize comfortability in their racing suits. Preferably swimmers who race events from 200 and up, in any strokes. The thin material of the suit makes me feel like one with the water and reminds me of the comfort of wearing a training suit while still wearing a racing suit.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 4.5
Compression - 3
Ease to Put On - 4.5
Performance - 3.75
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop all arena Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 4.5
Compression - 2
Ease to Put On - 4.5
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop all arena Women's tech suits

Mizuno GX Sonic VI NV

In 2024 Mizuno streamlined their range. Now they have 3 models that are all radically different to one another. The NV or Noble Velocity is their suit for sprinters. It offers the most taping and the most compression. Dare noted “I was surprised how hard it was to put on but when swimming, it felt fast”. Mary was surprised “by how great the new range of GX SONIC VI is compared to their previous lines that I had tried”.

→ Shop all Mizuno tech suits

Size/Fit

Dare Rose: This suit fit me well, it felt a little tighter than the medium Mizuno V MR which I am used to racing in. I liked how fast this suit feels initially but the extreme compression seemed a little too much for me personally at the end of 100/200 races. I think it is essential that you have tried this on and even had a dip in the pool once before race day.

Sonny Trigg: Mizuno was the first brand I tried to master the high waisted suit. Not having it come all the way up to your belly button but locking your core in just right. They also don’t go too far down your thigh and the leg grippers aren’t too tight. Compression is prioritized on the hips, back of the legs and upper thighs. Take your time putting this suit on, especially on the first wear, it is a tedious and if rushed, painful experience.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The NV from Mizuno is the compression/speed suit out of their new range. It is developed to achieve compressive support in order to pursue velocity. Which means it offers great compression while still allowing you to swim comfortably in any strokes. It also can be bought in short and long torsos for a more comfortable fit.

Marina Spadoni: Unfortunately, this is an absolute no for me. This line of Mizuno was not made for my body shape which is ok but I know that it’s not for me. I have big thighs and hips and this just did not accommodate them. This suit took me three tries to get on successfully and it still took over 30 minutes. It gave me the worst bruises on my hips from where the fabric rolled and got stuck and my knuckles were bleeding by the end. I wish I could say it was a size issue but once it was on I had quite a bit of room in the straps and I feel like if I went a size up then the top of the suit would be too big. I liked the length on the legs, they weren’t too long.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: Mizuno use a highly water repellent polyurethane and nylon thread that they call SONIC LIGHT RIBTEX UW-2 in this suit that is lightweight yet highly compressive. There is also a second fabric used on certain portions of the suit. They also optimized kick support with the most sophisticated taping system I have ever seen on the back of the suit. They have thick tape laid out in an X formation on both hamstrings and another one on the buttocks. This creates buoyancy and snap like nothing else.

They also have a dual layering throughout a majority of the back of the suit to further heighten compression and aid lift.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The shoulder straps feature their own material. Named the T-Arch Flex II, they are thinner and with a better fit than conventional straps. This means they are less likely to interfere with your shoulder blades and therefore be more comfortable.

Who is This For?

Dare Rose: I would recommend this suit to any sprinters at either 50 or 100 distances. I didn’t try this for breaststroke but liked the hip position for freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly. This suit makes me feel fast and buoyant.

Sonny Trigg: Out and Out Sprinters. The shorter the better. The compression and taping will become too much if you start swimming events over 200, especially in LCM, but for 50s and 100s (SCY especially with the snap this suit provides on the turns) you will be blown away by this suit's performance. For butterfly and free swimmers, this suit really shines. If you swim breaststroke then it will depend on how you kick. If you have a larger, more powerful kick and like your suit to have range of movement, you might find this limiting. If you opt for a narrow kick then you will probably find that you love this suit. If you want obvious impact from a suit in the sprint events, then you have to try the NV. You dive in and instantly are like, so that's why it gets the rave reviews.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I love how it feels in the water, the combination of compression and ease of movement makes this suit one of my favorites to race in. I’d recommend the GX Sonic 6 NV to every swimmer that races from 50m to 200m in any stroke. This suit makes me feel fast in the water. The compression is felt all around but I somehow can manage to easily swim every stroke comfortably in.

Marina Spadoni: Once in the water, it felt good. It pulled my hamstrings a bit but not in a way that restricted movement, I felt like it helped get my legs over fast in the flip turn and was snappy in my underwater kick. The colors are also very nice. Any swimmer with slim hips would probably really like this suit. I think it's a good fit for a sprinter.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 2.5
Compression - 5
Ease to Put On - 1.25
Performance - 5
Looks & Design - 4.5

→ Shop All Mizuno Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 2.5
Compression - 5
Ease to Put On - 1.5
Performance - 5
Looks & Design - 4.5

→ Shop All Mizuno Women's tech suits

Mizuno GX Sonic VI CR

The Compressive Release (CR) is the innovative release from Mizuno since the Rio Olympics and the first time Mizuno have truly delivered a tech suit for EVERYONE. Dare said “This suit makes me feel great in the water and allows me to swim longer events with more compression”.

Size/Fit

Dare Rose: This suit fit me extremely well. I like how most of the Mizuno suits are high waisted and cover a large surface area. It floats well in the water too and gives your kicking a lot more mobility than the NV.

Sonny Trigg: This suit slid on way easier than I was expecting and is much more comfortable than the previous Mizuno MR models. It doesn’t feel quite as high waisted as the NV but I still really like the fit.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The suit is very comfortable while still offering a decent amount of compression.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: This is the first time that Mizuno have made a suit using just one fabric, in this case, the SONIC LIGHT RIBTEX UW-2. Almost all of the suit is single layered with an exception for a panel of lining on the lower hamstrings which combines with a single strip of hamstring tape to aid lift. This Ribtex fabric has channeling throughout which massively helps it reduce drag.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: There is a lot going on with this suit. It has one fabric for the body, another for the front thigh, another for the rear of the suit and finally a fourth fabric for the newly designed T-Arch Flex II shoulder straps.

Who is This For?

Dare Rose: I loved how this suit was a good mix between comfort and compression. I would recommend this suit for 100 and 200 distances for any stroke. This suit gives you a lot more mobility than the NV but still has decent compression for the shorter events.

Sonny Trigg: I loved the range of this suit, it really is a jack of all trades, actually it's way better than just a jack. It's comfortable for any length of race but still gets a little snap from its single hamstring taping and a solid but not overwhelming feeling of the hips being lifted. Mizuno have really made a tech suit for the masses with the CR. You can sprint in it, IM in it, it has the range of movement for all the strokes and still has the Mizuno DNA provided by the Ribtex fabric.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I love the versatility of the CR. It is the perfect racing suit for mid distance events and also one of my favorite ones. I’d recommend this suit for swimmers who enjoy a little bit of compression while still being able to swim easily in the water. Probably from races ranging from 200m to 400m. It feels great in the water and allows you to swim any strokes comfortably while still being high in the water. The buoyancy effect is brilliant.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 4
Compression - 3.75
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 4.5
Looks & Design - 4

 Shop All Mizuno Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 4
Compression - 3.5
Ease to Put On - 3.5
Performance - 4.5
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop All Mizuno Women's tech suits

Mizuno GX Sonic VI ET

This is Mizuno’s second foray into distance suits following up from GX Sonic NEO AG. The Emotional Technique or ET, still features some of Mizuno’s long-standing trademarks but doesn’t in a way that means it is excellent for those needing comfort during long races. Dare’s initial words were “I liked this suit, I feel like Mizuno hasn’t made many distance suits but this one bodes well for them”.

Size/Fit

Dare Rose: This suit fit me very well, it was very easy to put on. The comfort of it would be awesome for distance events since you don’t want that much compression which is still there just in the right spots. I loved how the compression of the suit was focused only on the hip area and the strategic placing of the tape reflected that. It allows your hips to get up high but doesn’t kill your legs.

Sonny Trigg: Personally, the ET is the easiest suit in the world to put on. I can slip it on in seconds. There is so much stretch to the suit and it is so comfortable. But the crazy thing is that when I dive in, I can still feel the Mizuno DNA in it and it feels fast.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I like the combination of having a comfortable suit that doesn’t restrict you in any way while still allowing you to move and breathe easily while wearing it.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: While the CR has just one type of fabric and the NV uses two types, the ET uses a monumental three types of fabric in this suit. This is rather interesting because every other suit in this class of comfier suits that can do it all use just one type of material. It uses the new SONIC LIGHT RIBTEX UW-2 on the upper hamstrings and round towards the top of the hips and then it uses two, much lighter and comfier fabrics for the rest of the suit. It does not use much taping but it does have one seam that comes around the front of the quadricep for some gentle support.

Who is This For?

Dare Rose: I would recommend this suit for distances 400/500 up to the mile. I think this suit could work for 200s but I feel like Mizuno’s own CR (or other suits) would be a better option.

Sonny Trigg: From a practical standpoint it is for someone who wants to wear a suit all day at a meet without having to get changed (I don’t recommend doing that). From a performance standpoint, I think this is most suited for distance freestylers of 200 and above or 400 medley swimmers. While its massive range of movement, comfort, and low compression may leave it a million miles away from other Mizuno models, it does have a level of buoyancy that is truly a Mizuno trademark.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I’d recommend this suit for long-distance swimmers. The ET makes me feel comfortable in the water for an extended amount of time.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 5
Compression - 2.25
Ease to Put On - 5
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 4

 Shop All Mizuno Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 4
Compression - 2.5
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop All Mizuno Women's tech suits

Speedo Pure Intent 2.0

Speedo’s refresh of their sprint suit, the Pure Intent, has been treated to some Lamoral space tech for increased longevity. It also has some stunning new colorways which caught Sonny’s eye right off the bat with him saying “Fits just like the original Intent but I love the new aesthetic, my favorite looking Speedo suit in a long time!”

→ Shop All Speedo tech suits

Size/Fit

Tom Peribonio: This suit is very tight and has a streamlined feeling. It does not give your hips great range of motion and to put the suit on it took me a very long time. Once on, the suit feels good.

Speedo’s refresh of their sprint suit, the Pure Intent, has been treated to some Lamoral space tech for increased longevity. It also has some stunning new colorways which caught Sonny’s eye right off the bat with him saying “Fits just like the original Intent but I love the new aesthetic, my favorite looking Speedo suit in a long time!”

Size/Fit

Tom Peribonio: This suit is very tight and has a streamlined feeling. It does not give your hips great range of motion and to put the suit on it took me a very long time. Once on, the suit feels good.

Dare Rose: I like the design and look of this suit but had a difficult time putting it on. I thought the compression is great but for only 100s and less; a 100 is even being a little generous. This suit was one of the hardest suits to put on and I recommend anyone who tries it getting one size bigger than they currently are.

Sonny Trigg: Speedo gives the high waisted suits an almost hourglass shape where the wait is wider than the naval. This makes what would already be a difficult type putting this suit on even harder. Make sure you have some time. This does add to the compression and you really feel locked in with this suit.

Marina Spadoni: The Intent 2.0 takes forever to put on… The straps are comfortable however I did need assistance getting them on and off. The compression is light to moderate on the legs but extremely heavy on the glutes and core. I think the core compression is a big bonus because it helps you sit well in the water but I did not like how much my glutes were compressed, it made the start and flip turns uncomfortable.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I’ve always been a big fan of comfort straps so the Intento 2.0 having this was definitely a plus. The shape and compression of this suit makes it quite unique; a lot of compression on the hips, legs & straps and a little less on the rest of the suit.

Technology

Tom Peribonio: I find the Pure Intent 2.0 to look and feel very similar to the original Pure Intent suit.

Sonny Trigg: The Pure Intent 2.0 uses triple fabric construction to provide greater movement when paired with dual layering for enhanced compression. Certain zones of fabric have a honeycomb texturing for drag reduction.

Marina Spadoni: I really noticed Lamorals new treatment paying dividends with the whole suit glowing up with hydrophobia every time I have dived in the pool with this suit. The water repellency will last 6x longer than with the previous generation.

Who is This For?

Tom Peribonio: This is a suit for sprinters or middle-distance athletes who NEED more support. I think the suit was built for sprinters, especially those specializing in free and fly. This suit helps keep your hips up but for me, it was too tight. I have always felt like the intent was tight and this new version did not change my mind. I do enjoy sprinting in this suit and you feel very fast, but the compression is noticeable when your legs start getting tired quicker than other suits.

Dare Rose I think it would be great for 50s of any strokes since it has super tight compression. I also love the looks and the purple drawstrings on the new Speedo suits. I really liked it for backstroke, butterfly and freestyle. I think it would be a little too much compression for breastroke. It pops my hips up and makes me feel very buoyant which I like. It’s very difficult getting on and doesn’t feel comfortable, which are the negatives.

Sonny Trigg: This is a sprint suit. The high levels of compression with the dual hamstring taping for kick support make that very clear. I would say 50 & 100 swimmers of all strokes will be in good hands but if you want to race further you may find this suit restrictive. Breaststrokers may also want more mobility in the hips and groin. I felt really professional wearing the suit. The way it locks you in, the way it looks, the way it feels in the water. Swimming in this suit it is clear it is made for sprints.

Marina Spadoni: This is a great suit for the 200 freestyle and any backstroke event just because of the zones of compression. If you have worn the Pure Intent in the past and liked it then you will definitely like this version. I think body type also plays an important role in fit, if you’re a swimmer with more muscular legs just be ready to spend a lot of time putting this on.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: Since this suit is quite unique in its compression, I personally really like it in backstroke events. It made me feel high in the water and the x shape on the suit, helps me feel the connection between my hips and my shoulders more.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 2.5
Compression - 4.5
Ease to Put On - 2.5
Performance - 4
Looks & Design - 4.5

→ Shop All Speedo Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 2
Compression - 5
Ease to Put On - 2
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 5

→ Shop All Speedo Women's tech suits

Speedo Pure Valor 2.0

Speedo’s original Pure Valor is iconic and everyone was extremely excited to see it get revamped. Dare said, “The original valor is probably my most worn suit and the 2.0 I love for anything over a 100 meters/yards.” While Marina put it quite simply, “This is one of my top picks in terms of racing suits. I love the look and feel of the Speedo Valor material”.

Size/Fit

Dare Rose: It is very easy to get on and fit my body almost perfectly. There isn’t much compression on the legs which is nice for longer races but just enough where you can use it for sprints. I like the high waist version better than the low waist which feels more comfortable.

Tom Peribonio: The most comfortable suit in the Speedo lineup, the material of the Speedo Pure Valor 2.0 is thin, with average compression and average buoyancy. The seams and hem are not too tight.

Sonny Trigg: One thing I really love about the fit of the suit and something that no other brands do, is taper in the cut above the hips on the high waisted version. I personally think if you are getting the Pure Valor 2.0, the high waisted option is a must try.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: It is really comfortable once you have it on and it's quite easy to move around and do all four strokes without feeling restricted. The comfort straps are a big plus. I love how easy and quickly I can put this suit on.

Marina Spadoni: Out of all the suits, this probably has some of the most comfortable straps which is a big bonus especially at longer meets. I like the design of the second layer paneling, in other brands, the double layering can sometimes be restrictive of movement, especially in the hips but with the Valor the inner lining has high hip cuts that are great for mobility. It slips on like a glove. The first time putting it on takes a bit longer but after that, it’s so easy without feeling like it has been stretched out. No notable compression in the chest.

Technology

Dare Rose: I love that it feels like you can use this suit more than one time before its quality degrades. That was an issue with the original Valor. I think this is a huge benefit of the Lamoral space coating that they have added.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The Pure Valor’s fabric is so light and papery and has great stretch to it. It has the same fabric all over although there are panels of lining inside for modesty and core stability. There is also a compressive inner leg seam.

Who is This For?

Dare Rose: I recommend the Speedo Valor 2.0 for swimmers that race anything from the 100 to the mile in any stroke. I feel great in the suit and can wear it for a long time without being too uncomfortable. It’s amazing for swimmers who swim multiple times in a session as well because of that.

Tom Peribonio: A versatile swimmer with a lot of different events in their lineup. If you are looking for a suit that is reliable and you can wear for any stroke, any distance, then the Valor is for you. The most comfortable suit on the market, yet it still feels pretty fast. Range of motion is the biggest benefit in this suit and you can be confident that compression and a tight suit will never be the problem if you wear this suit.

Sonny Trigg: This is a suit for any age group swimmers that still races all the events and wants to do so in comfort. If you have never worn a flagship tech suit before and don’t know what to expect, this is a great place to start. On an elite performance level, this is for middle distance and distance swimmers with it not providing enough compression or snap for sprinters.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I recommend the Speedo Valor 2.0 for swimmers that race anything from the 200m to the 1500m in any strokes. I feel good in this suit. I can wear it for a long period of time without being restricted and being uncomfortable while wearing it.

Marina Spadoni: I think that this is one of the most versatile suits on the market. I have both sprinted in this and done long 1000+ meter test sets in it and I loved it for every scenario. I believe any stroke would be more than satisfied while racing in this suit. The Speedo Valor is a cult classic and you truly can’t go wrong with this one. One it looks amazing on and two it’s very comfortable. The only reason that I didn’t give it a 5/5 overall is that I prefer a little more compression for my main events (sprint freestyle).

Men's Overall
Comfort - 5
Compression - 2.75
Ease to Put On - 5
Performance - 4
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop All Speedo Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 5
Compression - 2.75
Ease to Put On - 5
Performance - 4.5
Looks & Design - 4.75

 → Shop All Speedo Women's tech suits

Finis HydroX

Finis' most recent launch to the tech suit market is the HydroX, which Finis says is not only their best suit ever but “THE BEST SUIT EVER”. 

The Finis HydroX has been the talk of the town lately with it powering swimmers to extraordinary results at the last two World Championships, and the Paris Olympics. It also features some awesome designs including an all white colorway. What I do know is that Finis have worked tirelessly in making what they believe is not just a competitor on the market but the fastest suit in history.

Mary instantly noted the importance of what a good aesthetic means to her saying “Finis did a great job designing a flattering suit, it looks good on and that really boosts my confidence when I am standing behind the blocks”.

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Size/Fit

Dare Rose: It fit me very well, it was comfortable but didn’t have too much compression.

Tom Peribonio: The HydroX suit fit great, the sizing is different for Finis, so be sure to check their sizing chart before buying. I think the suit is very comfortable and putting it on was reasonable.

Sonny Trigg: This suit needs to be downsized quite a lot, I wear a 22 in this. I was originally sent a 26 but found it too big so Finis suggested a 22. I couldn’t believe a size 22 suit could slide on so easily and be so comfortable.

Marina Spadoni: I was so excited to try this suit because there was a lot of hype around its release and for me, it just missed the mark. I felt like the compression was very odd and didn’t make sense for a swimmer. It felt like I was being squished between two layers on the front and backlines of my body. I also felt like it didn’t provide any buoyancy in the water which is something that I really value in a quality tech suit. Additionally, the fabric feels thin and fragile. I would not attempt to put this on with long nails.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: The HydroX uses a proprietary fabric called MemoryFlex. Instead of using a standard fabric that is woven in a two dimensional plan that will lead to it getting stretched out, Finis has weaved additional threads around those that exist on an X & Y plane to create a third dimension and mimic that natural structure of human muscle. Finis went even further when developing this suit. “The HydroX was developed to enhance the natural expansion and contraction of these muscle groups as covered by the suit. To accomplish this, we positioned the fabric in accordance with each muscle group maximizing the natural motion and allowing for superior performance.”

Tom Peribonio: An interesting material that I have not really seen before. It was stretchy and comfortable to feel while being on the thicker side. It is also hydrophobic unlike any other model of swimsuit out there, not allowing water molecules to attach themselves and decrease friction.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: This suit is quite interesting and a lot different than any other brand on the market. The material is very thin and delicate. The straps dig a little bit on the shoulders and feel quite fragile. The fabric of the racing suit is very light and makes me feel like I’m not wearing anything.

Who is This For?

Tom Peribonio: This suit is very comfortable and it has a good level of compression for my events. I also believe that it is a very well rounded suit, ideal for a swimmer looking for a good combination of performance and comfort in a suit that can be worn in any event. I think this suit does a really good job in being able to cover all 4 strokes and a big range of distances.

Dare Rose: I would recommend this suit for swims from a 100-400/500 and mainly freestyle but any other stroke as well. The performance was lacking a little but I think it’s a good suit for longer races. It isn’t too tight and is comfortable so I think it’d be best for mid to longer freestyle events.

Sonny Trigg: This suit did a great job of having no stand-out faults, it’s like the “just right” porridge in Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Nothing is too little and nothing is too much.

Marina Spadoni: I’d recommend the Finis Hydro X to longer-distance swimmers who don’t need a ton of compression.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I think this is a suit that can be for anyone. It is comfortable with amazing hydrophobic properties and nothing offensive about it.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 4.25
Compression - 3.25
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop All Finis Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 3.5
Compression - 2.5
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 5

→ Shop All Finis Women's tech suits

TYR Venzo

The TYR Venzo is a suit like no other. Instead of using a range of materials, it targets compression with Endo Max Compression Cage made up of sophisticated taping. Dare’s first thoughts were “this suit is a perfect hybrid between the Shockwave and the Avictor 2.0” and Sonny said “now this is a suit that supports me.” 

Mary was really into the prints saying “I absolutely love the new designs of this suit. I think they are the prettiest racing suit out there at the moment.”.

→ Shop All TYR tech suits

Size/Fit

Tom Peribonio: An interesting seam design on this suit, not your typical down the side of the leg seams. I think that gives this suit great potential for swimmers that care about mobility and comfort in their race suits.

Dare Rose: This suit fits me great, it is comfortable in most places and was easy to get on. I like the mobility on it which is great for every stroke.

Sonny Trigg: This time round I got the Venzo in the standard cut and the suit was almost too low on the waist. I much preferred the fit of the high waist version which is long in both directions but that means brilliant coverage. This is on the higher end of compression and does take some extra time to put on.

Marina Spadoni: The TYR Venzo overall has a moderate+ level of compression that is pretty evenly distributed throughout. I found the legs to be too long for my liking, they ended at the top of my kneecaps and they really pulled on my hamstrings which made flip turns awkward and uncomfortable. The straps are impossible to get on by yourself so make sure you have a friend on hand. Once the straps are on they are comfortable enough to wear for short periods of time. The fabric is very thick and I feel a little claustrophobic wearing it but it does last for multiple races throughout an entire season. I did like the full-body compression that didn’t feel restrictive on my lats.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The TYR Venzo offers a great amount of compression throughout the suit.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: The heavyweight Frictionless Fibre Construction of the Venzo is considerably heftier than the Avictor at 145 GSM. It has 20mm supersonic flex bonding for targeted muscle stabilization due to an internal web of taping. This is not taping for kick support but instead supports your muscles where you most need for swimming. It is the only suit on the market that has taping on the hamstrings, quadriceps, and hips.

Who is This For?

Tom Peribonio: I think this suit is great for IMers and breaststrokers. I’m sure it performs really well for more events, but it really stands out for those swimmers. As far as distance, I think this suit covers most distances well. This suit really helps with keeping your hips high. I think the compression was good and I was shocked by the material, I really liked how it wasn't too thin like the Avictor.

Dare Rose: I would recommend this suit for distances from 100-200 of any stroke. My favorite thing about this suit is the mobility with the compression. The compression is good but not enough to limit your leg mobility for strokes; mainly breaststroke.

Sonny Trigg: The level of compression is high but it has more utility than solely being a sprint suit. This suit can be worn from 50 through 200 without problems. I also think this suit really favors breaststrokers of any distance.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: It is a great suit for events that go from 50m to 200m and swimmers who prefer compression in a racing suit. The Venzo from TYR makes me feel compact and powerful in the water.

Marina Spadoni: I think this is a great butterfly suit from 50 up to the 200. The compression and buoyancy are good in this suit though.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 3.5
Compression - 4
Ease to Put On - 3.25
Performance - 4.5
Looks & Design - 4.25

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Women's Overall
Comfort - 2.75
Compression - 4.25
Ease to Put On - 2.5
Performance - 4
Looks & Design - 4.5

→ Shop All TYR Women's tech suits

 

TYR Avictor 2.0

TYR's Avictor has stood the test of time and the Avictor 2.0 looks to continue that tradition. Thin, light and unobtrusive were words used by all reviewers when it comes to a refresh on TYR’s longest-standing model, the Avictor.

Size/Fit

Tom Peribonio: The most notable thing about the Avictor was that it is really long. Both down towards the knees and up on my waist. Besides that, I think this suit fits well. It was extremely easy to put on and also it's a suit you can wear for a long time, no problem.

Dare Rose: The overall fit felt great. I liked how comfortable this was and covered a large area of my legs almost to my kneecap. I think it’s a great upgrade to their first one which I used a lot when I was younger.

Sonny Trigg: This is the highest waist of all the high waist suits, I personally find it just a little too high, sitting right on my belly button. This is a very flexible suit that has great freedom of movement on all the strokes.

Marina Spadoni: The fit on land feels vastly different than in the water. Like other TYR suits, the legs run much longer, ending at the tops of my kneecaps and the torso was shorter than expected. I felt that the torso was so short that it was giving me a constant wedgie and creating a huge pocket of air on my back (closed back). In the water, it’s a totally different suit. The straps are super comfortable and the legs give a good amount of compression to help flush some lactic acid without feeling restrictive. The hips of this suit sit nicely and are flexible which is a huge plus. I liked that there is a good amount of flexibility with light to moderate compression in the legs. The straps are comfortable and the suit itself was easy to get on and off.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: The overall fit felt great. The top of the suit sits higher than other brands, which offer a better support. The new comfort straps are also a big plus in terms of comfortability, especially over longer durations wearing the suit.

Technology

Mary Sophie-Harvey: I feel supported more than other suits and the compression of the suit lasts longer than most of them. Even though the Omni Nylon Lycra is super thin and light at 100 GSM, the quality of this suit remains for a long time. It also features a Speed Dry Fabrication which means if you wear this for multiple races in one session, it will dry super quickly after you jump out of the pool from your race. I am used to super busy race schedules and I find this comes in clutch.

Who is This For?

Tom Peribonio: The Avictor 2.0 is certainly for distance swimmers or a swimmer looking for no compression of the legs. I think the biggest advantage this suit has is the comfort and lack of compression. Making it great for distance swimmers looking to save their legs and be comfortable for their long races.

Dare Rose: Swimmers who race anything from the 50m to the 400m, or even further, in any strokes, will feel comfortable and supported when wearing this suit.

Sonny Trigg: This suit is for middle distance and distance swimmers who want a comfortable and thin suit for whatever they race. This suit lets you seem without any influence. It is simple and gives a little bit of compression without getting in the way of anything else.

Mary Sophie-Harvey: Swimmers who race anything from the 50m to the 400m, in any strokes. This suit makes me feel fast. It is one of my favorites to race in because of its reliability and its durability.

Marina Spadoni: This is a great suit for extra-tall athletes or anyone with long legs. I would wear this for any stroke in events 100 meters and up. I felt like this is a reliable suit that I know will perform well. I have raced in this suit and would recommend it for others to try.

Men's Overall
Comfort - 4.5
Compression - 3
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 3.5
Looks & Design - 4

→ Shop All TYR Men's tech suits

Women's Overall
Comfort - 4
Compression - 3
Ease to Put On - 4
Performance - 5
Looks & Design - 3.5

→ Shop All TYR Women's tech suits

TYR Shockwave

The TYR Shockwave only comes in a men’s Jammer. TYR has tried to take note of competitors' success with Dare instantly noting “ I thought it was very Mizuno-esque but there were some differences which I liked”.

Size/Fit

Dare Rose: It fit me pretty well, I liked the hamstring taping and how tight it was for your hips. For every stroke, it noticeably pops your hips up and isn’t too uncomfortable for the longer races.

Tom Peribonio: I think this suit fits and feels great. When dry, you get the right amount of compression without it being too tight. Out of the TYR suits, this one probably fits me the best. I did not like the thin material (inside legs) when it got wet, it felt like it lost the stretch and comfort.

Sonny Trigg: I found the Avictor to come too high on my waist, the Venzo to sit to low and the Shockwave is just right. It has strong but not crushing compression making it comfier than other suits that share a similar layout.

Technology

Sonny Trigg: The Shockwave utilizes TYR’s Shockwave Dual Fabrication to “create targeted muscle stabilization and added structured flexibility, controlled muscle undulation, and reduced drag, while boosting natural lift for optimized positioning in the water.” It has two seams of 20mm supersonic flex bonding down the back of the hamstrings to create the Hamstring Snapback Taping which massively supports the upkick in all strokes but breaststroke. TYR also has a Surface Lift technology which prevents water from permeating the fabric, further enhancing buoyancy.

Who is This For?

Dare Rose: I would recommend this for distances of 50 to a 100 and maybe a 200 but just freestyle. I feel like for other strokes, the compression would be too much for a 200 but for anything lower than that it would be perfect. This suit makes me feel light/buoyant in the water and therefore quick.

Tom Peribonio: Sprint and mid distance swimmers. I think the suit is a little bit too heavy or thick for a distance swimmer. For the other events, I think this covers them really well. You really notice the buoyancy of the thicker material of this suit. I really felt high in the water and like I had great support when getting to my body line. The suit did feel a little tight during longer wears.

Sonny Trigg: The Shockwave would be a great choice for any swimmer who races between 50 & 200. It really adds snap to your kick and has strong compression, but not so much you will feel fatigue in 200 events.

Overall
Comfort - 3.75
Compression - 4.25
Ease to Put On - 3.25
Performance - 4.5
Looks & Design - 4.5

→ Shop All TYR Men's tech suits

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