Technical Suit Rules for 12 & Under
To help with your purchase, SwimOutlet has set up categories featuring 12 & Under approved and recommended racing suits:
As of September 1, 2020, 12 & Under swimmers have new restrictions on what types of tech suits they are permitted to wear for competition. Under these new rules, no technical suit may be worn by any 12 & Under USA Swimming athlete in competition at any sanctioned, approved, or observed meet.
Any male or female suit with any bonded or taped seams is defined as a technical suit regardless of its fabric or silhouette — and is not allowed.
Any suit with woven fabric extending past the hips is not allowed, regardless of seams.
Compliant Tech Suits
Any suit that does not have the FINA logo on it is approved for 12 & Under use.
A knit fabric suit with sewn seams can extend to the knees and is not considered a technical suit.
Any suit that does not have the FINA logo on it is approved for 12 & Under use.
For a few select suits that have the FINA Approved logo, but do not fit the definition of a technical suit, a green check mark is added next to the FINA logo to signify that it is 12 & Under compliant. Learn more on USA Swimming
Racing suits specifically approved and recommended for use for 12 & Under swimmers feature SwimOutlet's unique orange "12 & Under Eligible" logo when shopping at SwimOutlet.com.
If you own or purchase a suit that qualifies for use and it has the FINA Approved logo but not the green check mark…
- Find the list of qualified suits on USA Swimming's website. Confirm your suit is on there.
- Swimmer or coach takes the suit to the meet referee prior to the start of the meet.
- The tag on the suit has the name of the suit on it and the referee can compare with the list on the website.
- Referee uses a green Sharpie and places an "X" over the FINA Approved logo.
- It is up to the swimmer and/or coach to have this approved prior to them swimming the race. If the suit has not been reviewed and marked prior to the start of the meet, the athlete may be disqualified.
Review the latest up-to-date FAQ from USA Swimming.
Measurements are standard, but bodies? Not so much. Using a soft measuring tape, follow the steps below.
Start at high point of shoulder, run tape through leg and back up to the starting point.
Measure the fullest part of chest, be sure to go over the shoulder blades at back.
Measure narrowest part of torso.
Measure around the fullest point of hip, keeping tape parallel to floor.
