The Best Boys’ Swim Practice Suits

Buying Guide

Swimming is not only great exercise, but it’s also a serious sport. From high school swim teams to the Olympics, talented swimmers can win medals, earn money or simply earn the pride of being the best in their district.

For aquatic athletes, a swimsuit is more than a recreational wardrobe item. The right swimsuit can make a big difference in performance. Swimsuit manufacturers have worked hard to make swimsuits that reduce drag in the pool, giving swimmers the coverage they need without creating resistance. That resistance is thought to slow swimmers down, negatively impacting their overall performance.

For that, manufacturers have come up with specialized swimsuits for competitive swimmers. For men, those swimsuits come in the form of knee-length shorts that conform to the body without restricting movement. These can sometimes go by the name “jammers,” and are typically made of lycra, spandex and/or polyester.

But competitive swimsuits have another complication. Due to the design, you can’t simply toss them in the washer after practice or a swim meet. You’ll instead usually need to wash them by hand and air-dry them, preferably in a well-ventilated space. If they’re tossed in a bag while wet and left there, they could build mildew. Hanging them in direct sunlight to dry is also a bad idea.

In the past, competitive swimsuits have struggled to resist damage from chlorine. But newer swimwear is designed to hold up even through hundreds of hours of pool time. Some detergents can still fade the fabric, though, so it’s important to follow the care instructions on the label carefully.

A good pair of competitive swim trunks conform to the body, lying flat to avoid the drag that can come from water catching on the fabric as you move. But you’ll also want the fabric to be lightweight enough that it doesn’t slow down the swimmer. A lightweight design will also be more comfortable for the hours your swimmer will spend waiting poolside at practices and meets.

• A competitive swimsuit typically has a higher thread count than a casual one, with each thread being thinner than with other types of material. This gives them a smoother surface for reducing friction.
• With a competitive swimsuit, fit is essential. It needs to fit snugly while still being comfortable, so you’ll need to get the sizing right. Make sure you take measurements and compare them to the chart for each swimsuit brand, as they can differ widely.
• It’s important, after exposure to the pool, that you rinse chlorine and other chemicals off your swimsuit as soon as possible. Look for a mild detergent that’s free of bleach to help clean the suit, then hang or lay it flat to dry.
• For avid swimmers, you’ll likely need more than one swimsuit. Have two or three swimsuits that you alternate between. This will give you plenty of time to allow each suit to air dry before you wear it.
• Try to urge your young swimmer to avoid sitting on the rough terrain next to most pools. This can snag the delicate fabric and reduce its lifespan. A towel will offer the protection they need if a lounge chair or bench isn’t available.
• Many competitive swimsuits have a ultraviolet protection factor built in. This UPF can help for those meets that have swimmers out in the blazing sun all day, but you’ll obviously still need to regularly apply sunscreen to the uncovered areas.
• A waistband with a little elastic in it can help keep swimmers comfortable. Some even feature a drawstring to let you customize the fit.
• One benefit of the material used in some practice suits is that it dries quickly. This can come in handy for hopping in the car to go home after practice.
• If your child is on a swim team, check before buying. There may be rules as to the swimsuits allowed, and you’ll want to make sure you know those before you buy.