Fastskin II Vs. Fastskin Pro

For competitive swimmers, swimsuit design can mean the difference between winning or losing an event. The Speedo swimsuit company created two high-performance suits for competitive swimmers: the Fastskin FSII Recordbreaker and the Fastskin FS-Pro Recordbreaker. Each suit has special features designed to help you swim faster and win your events.

  1. Fabric Type

    • In a swimming event, your suit's fabric type has an effect on your speed and the way you flow through the water. The Fastskin FSII and the Fastskin FS-Pro are made from Speedo's high-performance fabric types. The Fastskin FSII features two fabric types. The main body of the suit uses the Fastskin fabric for drag reduction, and Flexskin fabric on the sides for more flexibility. The fabric is made of 26 percent LYCRA Spandex and 74 percent polyester. The Fastskin FS-Pro uses Speedo's LZR Pulse fabric. LZR Pulse is the most lightweight swimsuit fabric on the market.

    Fastskin FSII Features

    • The Fastskin FSII was designed to mimic the body of a shark. The slight ridges on the front and back of the suit, called the Turbulence Management System, help to reduce drag at high speeds. The suit seamlessly adjusts to the changing flow of water around the swimmer's body. The Fastskin FSII compresses the swimmer's body for better hydrodynamics. The fabric also repels water.

    Fastskin FS-Pro Features

    • The Fastskin FS-Pro offers several of the same features that the Fastskin FSII does. The suit resists water and compresses the swimmer's body by approximately 15 percent. The suit dries quickly and is chlorine resistant. The Fastskin FS-Pro meets all Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) 2010 regulations, making it suitable for official competitions. FINA is an International Olympic Committee-recognized administrating body for aquatic sports.

    Style and Price

    • Both the Fastskin FSII and the Fastskin FS-Pro are available in navy and black. The Fastskin FSII features light gray stripes on the sides of both the navy and the black styles. The FSII is available in sizes 32 through 38, and the FS-Pro is available in sizes 20 through 36. As of 2012, the Fastskin FSII sells for $170 plus tax on the Speedo website. The FS-Pro is priced at $190 plus tax.