Provided by: Kiefer Aquatics, SwimSwam Partner.
Kiefer Aquatics is pleased to present a review of our first tech suit, a pioneering effort within our brand known for innovation and excellence in swimming. In an unprecedented move, we assembled a select team of elite aquatic athletes to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the latest competitive swimming technology suits. Our panel of experts proudly upholds the esteemed legacy of great-grandfather Adolph Kiefer, with his D1 swimmer from Idaho, Ginger Kiefer, highly acclaimed with NCAA and national titles, and a Rio Olympics champion. We feature silver medalist diver Steele Johnson. He also excels in the field of swimming. This groundbreaking review highlights our commitment to providing swimmers with the advanced insights they need to improve performance and continue to innovate.
Evaluation process: Publication of evaluation system
Our comprehensive review centers around our meticulously designed grading system that classifies tech suits based on appearance/design, comfort/ease of wear, material/fabric, compression, and performance. Masu. This system carefully evaluates each suit in a well-balanced manner based on evaluation criteria ranging from A (excellent) to C (satisfactory). Below are details of the criteria that form our rating system.
Grade A (Excellent): This highest grade is awarded to suits that are excellent across all evaluation parameters. This suit is made of lightweight, high-quality material with excellent water repellency and durability. With optimal compression to support muscle efficiency and reduce fatigue without restricting movement, and advanced hydrodynamics to significantly reduce drag, these suits represent the pinnacle of swimming technology. Its construction is robust and can withstand the harsh effects of chlorine and long-term use without compromising effectiveness or comfort. Engineered for an ergonomic fit that ensures full range of motion and sets a new standard for what competitive swimmers can expect.
Grade B (Good): Suits that receive a 'B' are recognized for their commendable performance, featuring high-quality materials that ensure durability and some degree of water repellency. It provides adequate compression and hydrodynamic benefits, but may not match top-of-the-line suits in reducing drag or increasing muscle efficiency through fine-tuning. Although these suits are durable, they can show signs of wear and loss of elasticity sooner than grade A suits. Comfort and fit are the priority, but minor issues may occur after extended use.
Grade C (Satisfactory): Assigned to suits that meet basic functional needs without any outstanding features. Grade C suits feature materials that provide limited water repellency and drag reduction. It is based on compression and hydrodynamic design, with an emphasis on functionality rather than improved performance. These suits are suitable for limited use and provide sufficient durability and comfort for short periods of time, but can lead to discomfort and restriction of movement over time.
Through this grading system, Kiefer Aquatics provides a clear and structured way to select high-tech suits that reflect a combination of material quality, compression, hydrodynamics, durability, comfort, and overall performance-enhancing features. Our aim is to provide swimmers with a guide that will help them understand their needs. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting swimmers in their pursuit of excellence based on innovation and informed decision-making.
List of reviewed suits
Women's:
Men's:
Steel suit review:
Arena Powerskin Primo Review:
Arena Powerskin Primo is a technology suit with superior compression that makes you feel like you're gliding underwater. With the tagline “First is better than fast,” Arena's team designed a suit that he can put on in less than five minutes. This was my case. I would say that this suit was the most difficult for me to put on of the three suits in this review, but still, I was able to put the suit on much faster than the recommended time of 5 minutes. This suit was more difficult for me to wear, but the compression of this suit is unparalleled. As I swam, the suit lifted my hips and legs above the water, making laps feel much faster. The suit's limited flexibility made it difficult to fully move the legs during breaststroke. The design of this suit is instantly recognizable. A suit with a solid black base and light blue line work that gives a sharp impression. Overall, this suit feels the fastest of the three suits in this review and is the one I would use in a competitive environment.
Arena Powerskin Primo Score:
Design: A- Comfort/Ease of Wear: B- Material/Fabric: A Compression: A+ Performance: A
Speedo Fastskin LZR Valor 2.0 Review:
The Speedo Fastskin LZR Valor 2.0 is a classic technology suit. The design is very basic, but what this suit lacks in design it makes up for in performance. The flexibility of this suit was unmatched in this review. The LZR Valor 2.0 was very easy to install and felt like it didn't sacrifice much compression due to its impressive flexibility. When I was swimming, the water resistance of the suit was at its maximum and I felt like I was gliding underwater. I didn't feel like my legs and hips were pressed against the surface like I did with the Arena Powerskin Pro, but the fit was comfortable during long workouts. Overall, this suit is comfortable and flexible, and it's clear why Speedo has dominated with his high-tech suits for so long.
Speedo Fastskin LZR Valor 2.0 Score:
Design: C Comfort/Ease of Wear: A+ Material/Fabric: A- Compression: B+ Performance: A-
TYR Avictor 2.0 Review:
TYR Avictor 2.0 is a high-tech suit with an overwhelming presence. This suit has a design that you will want to wear over and over again. I was able to swim with confidence wearing this suit. Avictor 2.0 offers great flexibility and reliable compression. It didn't take long to put on the suit. And once I put it on, it felt like it hugged my body shape perfectly. The suit moved well on me as I pressed my hips and legs against the surface of the water while swimming. A suit that's easy to wear, glide well in the water, and makes me feel confident is the suit I choose almost every time. Overall, the Avictor 2.0 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a flexible, high-tech suit with an eye-catching design.
TYR Avictor 2.0 Score:
Design: A+ Comfort/Ease of Wear: A+ Material/Fabric: B+ Compression: B Performance: B+
Ginger suit review:
Arena Primo review:
Arena Primo is another great arena suit. It's very stylish and I like the design of this suit. It was completely black and had electric blue tape with small black patterns on it. I had never seen a suit with patterned tape, so it was a really cool feature. The suit was stretchy and comfortable, yet compressive enough to hold me in place and make me feel ready. The stretchy material makes them easy to wear, and the straps have plenty of room. I was also able to put it on myself. If you're looking for a stress-free suit to wear, this is recommended. You will feel very comfortable wearing this suit. One thing I would like to point out about this suit is that, like other arena suits, the taped seams are thick, but despite that, I was able to sit through long swim meet sessions and feel much more comfortable. You can imagine yourself there. I also liked the way this suit felt underwater. It felt so good to swim with every stroke and felt like it was moving with me instead of being stiff like I've noticed with other tech suits. Overall, this suit had a great feel, very comfortable, and a unique design.
Arena Powerskin Primo Score:
Comfort: A+ Compression: A Design: A Comfort: B Overall: A
Speedo LZR Valor 2.0 Review:
The Speedo LZR Valor 2.0 is a comfortable and forgiving technology suit. Swimming in this suit was a very easy and fun process for me. I didn't think it was too tight, and it wasn't hard at all. This suit does have some compression, but for me it's a high-tech suit that would be on the stretchy/loose side of a high-tech suit. This suit is the exact opposite of his Speedo's Pure Intent. It's easy to wear, so we highly recommend it to those who are new to tech suits, those who find tech suits too cramped or too tight, and those who swim long-distance competitions. The design of this suit is very simple. All black, the material is single-layered with additional layers in some parts of the suit. The LZR Valor 2.0 is definitely a suit that I would recommend to anyone.
Speedo LZR Valor 2.0 Score:
Comfort: A+ Compression: B Design: C Comfort: A+ Overall: B
TYR Avictor 2.0
The TYR Avictor 2.0 is the perfect suit for people who want to feel light when swimming. The first thing I noticed when I jumped in and started swimming was how well it felt like I was floating. Swimming every stroke in this suit was comfortable and the fabric felt like it was compressing correctly while still stretching everywhere. This suit was fairly easy to put on, but I definitely needed some help with the straps. The pattern on this suit is very cool, and the suit I tried on was gray and had a high-tech look overall. However, my experience with this suit is that it is extremely tight. In the future, I would like to go up a size or two in this suit. It's one size up compared to Arena's tech suit and two sizes up compared to Speedo's suit size. I really liked the material of this suit and it felt very soft. It had quite a bit of stretch, but still felt very compressed. Overall it was very comfortable, the design was cool, and it felt very floating in the water.
TYR Avictor 2.0 Score:
Wearing experience – B- Compression – A Design – A+ Comfort – B+ Overall – A-
About Kiefer Aquatics
Kiefer Aquatics is dedicated to enhancing water travel for everyone, offering competitive swimmers, lifeguards, aquatic facilities, water fitness, learn-to-swim programs and more. In its 75-year history, Kiefer has produced innovations such as the first nylon swimsuits, kickboards, lifeguard rescue cans, starting blocks, lane lines, pace clocks, soft gasket goggles, and swim learning products. and has been a pioneer in custom product services.
Kiefer was founded in 1947 by Adolph Kiefer, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist, World War II Navy instructor, and swimming industry pioneer. Kiefer's tradition of service, selection and value continues to drive us today.
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