7 Best Tech Suits Approved For Swimmers 12 And Under (2021)
DISCLAIMER: This article is in no way directed towards swimmers aged 13 years old or younger, but rather to the parents of those swimmers who purchase their tech suits and other gear.
Tech suits are well known for enhancing swimming performance in the water. These suits utilize innovative fabrics and technology to enhance certain aspects of your swimming such as improving your body position, stroke rate, glide, and so on.
In recent years, the governing body of swimming in the United States, namely USA Swimming has decided to ban the use of high-end tech suits for swimmers aged 12 and under. (Not that this is a bad thing).
Nervertheless, there are still certain suits allowed to be used by swimmers falling in these age categories- and that’s what we are going to cover today. These racing suits are much cheaper and don’t provide as much of a benefit as the high-end suits, but will still help to ensure optimal performance in the water.
That said, it can be quite the pain to know which suits you are allowed to use and which not. This guide will make it very easy for you by showing you some of the best approved tech suits as well as explaining all of the different features and benefits of each.
If you aren’t quite familiar with tech suits, consider reading this article to get a better understanding.
What Is The 12 And Under Tech Suit Rule?
The 12 and under tech suit rule states that no USA swimming athlete (swimmer) falling in the age category of 12 and under is allowed to wear a tech suit in competition at any sanctioned, approved, or observed meet. Exceptions to the rule include Junior Nationals, US Open, National Championships, and Olympic Trials.
The decision came in order to reduce the cost of participating in the sport of swimming for swimmers at younger ages as tech suits can be very expensive ranging anywhere from $300-$600 for the top end suits.
Another reason is to put the emphasis entirely on swimming itself at younger ages instead of swimmers focusing on the brand of tech suit and its features to help them swim faster.
According to USA Swimming, a tech suit is any suit with bonded or taped seams, regardless of fabric or silhouette. Any suit designed with woven fabric is also prohibited while knit fabrics are allowed, providing the suit does not extend below the knees.
Here is a quick video explaining everything you need to about the rule in-depth:
Related: Do tech suits make a difference?- Here’s What Science Says.
7 Best Approved Tech Suits For Swimmers 12 And Under.
Here are the best approved tech suits for swimmers 12 and under-
- Arena Powerskin ST 2.0
- Speedo Vanquisher
- TYR Thresher
- Dolfin Firststrike
- Speedo Aquablade
- Arena R-Evo One
- Mizuno Ace
←Scroll to view full table on mobile→
Tech SuitFabric CompositionOur RatingView On SwimOutletArena Powerskin ST 2.071% Polyamide, 29% Elastane10/10>View PriceSpeedo Vanquisher79% Nylon, 21% Lycra10/10>View PriceTYR Thresher71% Nylon, 29% Lycra10/10>View PriceDolfin Firststrike71% Nylon, 29% Lycra9/10>View PriceSpeedo Aquablade80% Polyester, 20% Lycra8/10>View PriceArena R-Evo One78% Polyamide, 22% Elastane7/10>View PriceMizuno Ace86% Polyester, 16% Lycra7/10>View Price1. Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 Tech Suit.
The Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 is one of the most popular budget and introductory tech suits currently available. This is a great tech suit approved for swimmers 12 and under as it features both good performance as well as a very affordable price.
This was also the first tech suit I ever used way back when I got into competitive swimming and I can testify that it does a pretty good job considering the low price.
Design And Performance: The Powerskin ST. 2.0 isn’t as compressive as the high-end tech suits making it much more comfortable to wear, which is ideal for younger swimmers as they won’t have to bother with taking suits on and off between races. The lower compression and flexible design of the suit also ensure that the suit is ideal for all swimming events and strokes.
The tech suit features a fabric composition of 71% Polyamide and 29% Elastane with an additional water-repellent coating on the exterior to help cut down on drag and friction in the water.
The ergonomic design of the suit is both lightweight and provides comfortable muscle compression which will enhance body position, stability, and power output in the water. The fabric of the suit is held together using flatlock sewn seams which also contribute some extra muscular support.
Size And Fit: Something that I really like about the Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 is its fit. This suit is easy to get on and has a comfortable feel when wearing. Compression is good but the suit isn’t overly tight.
Downsides: A common theme with the lower end tech suits (which are mostly what is approved for 12 and under swimmers) is that the durability really tends to be lacking. After a few meets the water-repellency will start to wear off and the suit will have stretched out.
Considering the low price, this isn’t really too much of a problem. I recommend that you either pick up 2 suits for the season or only use the suit for more important swimming meets.
Tech Suit Specifications-
- Strokes And Events: All Strokes, All Events.
- Fabric Composition: 71% Polyamide, 29% Elastane.
- Panels: Single Panel.
- Drag Reduction: Water-Repellent Coating, Lightweight, Hydrodynamic Design.
- Range Of Motion: Unrestricted.
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