In competition, I’ll wear a wetsuit or a swimskin. I’ve been in multiple triathlons recently where the water was too warm for a wetsuit, so I opted for the benefits of a swimskin.

It got me thinking, which swimskin produces the best results? Let’s look at the pros and cons of the most popular swimskins, so you can determine what is best for you.

We’ll help you make an informed choice that fits both your swimming ambitions and budget, without overwhelming you with jargon or unnecessary details.

What is a Swimskin

A swimskin is worn over a triathlon kit to enhance a swimmer’s speed by reducing drag in the water.

Unlike traditional swimsuits, which tend to be more form-fitting and made from materials like lycra, swimskins are constructed from advanced hydrophobic fabrics like polyurethane blends. These materials not only repel water but also provide compression, streamlining the swimmer’s body and minimizing resistance as they move through the water.

Swimskis do not provide warmth or buoyancy. They are designed to give the swimmer an advantage by making them more “slippery” in the water.

In a triathlon, the swimskin is removed quickly after the swim portion and the athlete continues to the bike portion in their normal kit that was worn under the swimskin.

Swimskin Vs. Wetsuit

When would you wear a swimskin and when would you wear a wetsuit in a triathlon or swimming competition?

Most athletes opt for a wetsuit when the water temperature is cold enough and the officials allow it. In an Ironman competition, temperatures have to be below 76.1 degrees F / 24.5 degrees C to be wetsuit-legal.

A wetsuit provides buoyancy, allowing less-experienced swimmers to be more streamlined (and faster) in the water. This buoyancy also helps swimmers who may suffer from race anxiety during a mass swim.

Perhaps most importantly, a wetsuit helps shield your body from the effects of cold water. I’ve been in water that would have been extremely dangerous without a wetsuit. However, if the water is warm, you can actually overheat in a wetsuit, which is why rules exist on their use.

Both a swimskin and a wetsuit will make a swimmer more hydrophobic in the water. They both help repel water away from an athlete and can lead to faster swim times.

When it’s too warm for a wetsuit, a swimskin is a good race-legal option.

The Best Swimskins

The swimskin market is introducing top-tier options as 2024 unfolds that cater to a range of needs, including:

• The hydrodynamic master Blueseventy PZ4TX
• The unparalleled compression powerhouse Roka MEN’S Viper X2
• The 2XU Propel is a worthy contender for people in pursuit of speed without sacrificing weight
• The ZONE3 Shortsleeve, which makes a fashionable splash in the swimskin scene, proves that style and function can indeed coexist
• The TYR Torque Pro, which champions freedom in movement, makes it a go-to choice for swimmers who value range of motion above all else.

Budget-conscious swimmers will appreciate the affordability of the Quintana Roo Hydrospeed without compromising on performance.

For beginners dipping their toes in the world of swimskins, the Synergy Synskin 3 is a reliable option. The Sailfish Rebel Pro 3 and Blueseventy PZ2TX stand at the top for those desiring high-end hydrophobicity.

Blueseventy PZ4TX

The Hydrodynamic Master

Putting on the PZ4TX felt like having a second skin from my experience – it moved with me, not against me. I particularly loved its lightweight fabric, which added to my comfort without compromising on performance. The customer reviews echo my sentiment, with many swimmers reporting a noticeable improvement in speed.

The Blueseventy PZ4TX swimskin features:

• Premium Italian fabrics
• Locking zipper
• Ultrasonic welded seams
• Compressive properties, such as an innovative side panel

These features provide an impressive performance during warm water triathlon swims, optimizing body position and swimming performance that is often found only in a triathlon wetsuit.

Price

$315.00

Specifications

• Material: Hydrophobic Italian fabrics
• Design: Locking zipper, Ultrasonic welded seams

Pros

• Ultrasonic welded seams reduce drag
• Stretchable fabric with excellent stretch characteristics enhances freedom of movement
• Designed for speed

Cons

• Higher price point as compared to other brands
• It may not suit those seeking a highly compressive fit

Customer Reviews

• “Just buy it already!”
• “The absolute best!”
• “Fit’s awesome and feels great. Love it.”

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deboer Tsunami 3.0

Proven Speed

The deboer Tsunami 3.0 swimskin builds upon the Tsunami 2.0 swimskin, with a key improvement. The Tsunami 3.0 has new Tridium fabric that actually helps decrease drag in the water. Decreasing drag means you go faster.

The Tridium fabric is FINA-approved.

Price

$399.99

Specifications

• Material: Tridium (3Dium) fabric with a hexagonal 3D texture
• Design: Proven 3D weaving technology inspired by their wetsuits

Pros

• Near zero drag coefficient
• Slightly buoyant
• Compression-positive

Cons

• Price

Customer Reviews

• “Simply Amazing”
• “Top quality swimskin!”
• “Easy to remove in T1”

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Roka Viper X2

Unparalleled Compression Power & Speed

In the realm of compression power, the Roka Viper X2 stands out. The swimskin’s ‘core power’ system is specifically engineered to enhance posture and deliver exceptional compression, significantly boosting swimming performance. The patented IXI Taping offers reduced drag, weight, and chafing compared to traditional sewing methods, enabling fast and unrestricted swimming.

Trying out the Viper X2 was a game-changer for me. The compression fit felt snug but not restrictive, and the hydrophobic Teflon coating provided an added edge by repelling water and reducing drag.

I swam with this swimskin in Kona and had one of the fastest non-wetsuit swims of my life.

It’s not just me – many other swimmers have vouched for the Viper X2’s exceptional compression and hydrophobic properties.

Price

$375

Specifications

• Material: ‘Core power’ system
• Design: Patented IXI Taping, hydrophobic Teflon coating

Pros

• Exceptional compression enhances swimming performance
• Reduced drag, weight, and chafing due to proprietary taping method
• Hydrophobic Teflon coated

Cons

• May feel too compressive for those new to swim skins
• I felt the sleeved version was too tight around my shoulders and arms
• Higher price point

Customer Reviews

• “It really gives some advantage in cutting time from my swim.”
• “I found the sleeveless a perfect fit. Keeps your core tight without restricting your breathing.”
• “The fit and feel of the swim skin is amazing in would recommend it to anyone.”

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2XU Propel

The Speed Demon

Thanks to its advanced fabric technology, the 2XU Propel is a bona fide speed demon. The swimskin incorporates premium stretch-woven textiles from Italy, a hydrophobic coating, and high-tech bonded seam construction to minimize drag and enhance water glide, resulting in a significant improvement in speed.

Using the Propel, I discovered a perfect balance of speed and comfort. Its features include:

• Lightweight design that provides support and coverage without feeling restrictive
• Quick removal feature that comes in handy during transition in triathlon events
• A potent blend of flexibility, buoyancy, and speed

These features make it a preferred option for competitive swimmers like me seeking a powerful swimskin.

Price

$299.99

Specifications

• Material: 71% nylon, 29% elastane
• Design: Advanced fabric technology

Pros

• Lightweight design enhances performance
• Quick removal of the tri suit during transition in triathlon events

Cons

• Might not suit those who prefer a more compressive fit
• Some swimmers may find the design too minimalistic

Customer Reviews

• “First ever swim skin, so don’t have anything else to compare it to, but did help my time during my recent tri swim.”
• “Did not feel restricted in my stroke at all and it came off easily in transition.”
• “Great product if you want those marginal gains and dollars are not a concern.”
• “The sizes run small”
• “Fit’s awesome and feels great. Love it.”

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ZONE3 Shortsleeve

The Stylish Swimmer’s Choice

The ZONE3 Shortsleeve swimskin excellently combines style and performance. Its features include:

• Sleek silhouette
• Distinctive short-sleeve panel design
• Minimized potential drag
• Integration of form and function
• Fabric approved by FINA, created in partnership with Yamamoto

These features ensure top-tier quality and enhance both aesthetics and performance.

Wearing the Shortsleeve offered a refreshing departure from conventional swimskin designs. The short sleeve panel design felt liberating and the fit was just right, providing an excellent balance of compression and flexibility. The hydrophobic performance of the swimskin was impressive, and I found myself cutting through water with ease.

Price

$395.00

Specifications

• Material: FINA-approved fabric that creates almost zero drag through the water.
• Design: Short sleeve panel, minimal fully bonded seams

Pros

• Stylish silhouette without compromising on performance
• Freedom of movement due to short sleeve panel design

Cons

• Some swimmers may find the short sleeve design unusual
• Higher price point compared to other brands

Customer Reviews

• “The build quality is amazing.”
• “The fabric is indeed water-repellent. Good quality. It feels very comfortable.”
• “Great for IM races!”
• “Beautiful skin but sizing is wrong.”

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TYR Torque Pro

Freedom in Movement

Putting on the Torque Pro felt like a breath of fresh air. The freedom of movement it offered compared favorably to other swimskins I’ve tried, and the minimized surface drag made a noticeable difference in my swimming speed.

It’s a solid choice for those who value range of motion and performance over high compression.

The TYR Torque Pro swimskin features:

• Less compressive fabric for unrestricted movement
• Swimmers’ Fit design for optimal performance
• Advanced bonded seam construction for durability and comfort