by
Olivier Poirier-Leroy
Looking to increase the resistance you experience in the water? Here is a breakdown of the best drag suits for swimmers.
When it comes to training suits, there are plenty of options.
And then you have got drag suits, which are a square-cut suit made to increase the resistance you experience in the water.
Worn on their own or on top of a racing suit during warm-up at competition, drag suits add—you guessed it—drag to your swimming. When you take the suit off, whether when you compete or on the second round of a tough swim practice, you get a little speed boost.
The thinking on drag suits has changed a little bit over the years.
As a young age grouper, it was basically a competition between the fellas on the team to see who could swim with the biggest set of suits. The net effect was a bunch of teenage boys parading around the deck with what looked generally like a full diaper.
Swimming with a drag suit has its uses, but there is definitely a point where too much drag is counter-productive to your swimming.
One study found that when swimmers trained with a drag suit for significant periods of time, distance per stroke decreased, altering stroke form. The researchers suggested that the suits be used primarily for short-burst power and speed efforts, with swimmers getting plenty of rest between repetitions to maximize technique and efficiency.
While the function of drag suits is relatively simple, there are some different forms, colors, and materials drag suits are made of.
Here is a breakdown of my favorite drag suits for swimmers.
Speedo is one of the leading swim gear manufacturers on the planet. They make everything for competitive swimmers and lap swimmers, from swimming snorkels to some of the most popular swim goggles.
The Speedo Poly Mesh Training Suit is one of the most common training and lap swimming suits for men, and falls under the category of being a drag suit because of its thick polyester mesh construction, mesh lining, and purposely baggy fit.
Made of 100% polyester, the TYR Trainer Poly Drag Suit is very similar to the Speedo Mesh suit. So similar, in fact, that you could probably switch the logos on the suits and no one would be the wiser.
Arena makes some awesome swim gear, including the Powerskin ST 2.0, my favorite low-priced racing suit for men. Their training suits are excellent as well.
The Arena Men’s Reversible Drag Shorts aren’t quite as meshy as the Speedo and TYR suits, but are thick enough to produce a noticeable amount of drag.
The Adoretex Drag Suit is basically a cheaper knock-off to the premium swim brands above. The suit comes with all the features that you would expect, including a drawstring for a secure fit, and is constructed of 100% polymesh for plenty of drag in the water.
Perhaps more importantly, the suit is also roughly half the price of the other suits on this list, making it the best cheap drag suit for swimmers.
Best used in moderation, and only for power development (i.e. short bursts of effort with plenty of rest), the FINIS Ultimate Drag Suit features what look like four mesh cup holders on the circumference of the suit.
The four pockets catch tons of water, causing a heap of additional resistance in the water. The suit is easy to slip in and out of for those power reps in the water. For maximum resistance and drag, the FINIS Ultimate is the best drag suit for improving power in the water.
Olivier Poirier-Leroy Olivier Poirier-Leroy is the founder of YourSwimLog.com. He is an author, former national level swimmer, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and swim coach.
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