Chlorine disintegrated my shorts

Buy polyester swim suits. They cost a little more, they'll feel a bit "stiff" the first couple of times you wear them, they'll last considerably longer. When they do wear out it's usually a seam, or if they have a liner the liner might tear. They don't go transparent like a lycra suit will.

I have a speedo drag suit that has a polyester liner and is at least two years old.

I know keifer and worldwide aquatics sell them. I use a local store.

scott

I had the same problem. I was originally using a pair of Zoot tri shorts for my swims...and then they fell apart. So now I use $25 Speedo jammers instead of $60 tri shorts. To be honest the jammers are about ready to bite the dust and didn't last any longer than the Zoots but they only cost me hafl as much. It's frustrating to pay good money for a suit knowing that the pool water will eat it apart in only a couple months. I'm almost to the point where I don't even bother with a suit but the rec center probably has rules against that.

This is where I got my Jammers last month.

I got two pairs for ~$40 shipped.  Sizes run pretty true.

Are you rinsing your suit out with cold water after you swim? That will help the suit last longer. Kiefer also sells a suit saver solution I'm trying out now, as a good women's swim suit can cost quite a bit more than a speedo! Mine seem to last about a year ...

I do rinse them out after every swim...didn't know it had to be cold water (oops). Might've used warm to hot in some instances.

Edited by jmf-tt 2005-03-01 1:58 PM

I wear mine directly into the shower and they get washed with shampoo and soap.

Imagine what clorine is doing to our skin and insides!

I use nylon speedos and they typically last a couple of years swimming in a pool 3 days a week. The lycra ones only last about 8-9 months.

Cheers,
Kevin

I wear nylon speedos and they can last more than a year. I typically wear two suits at one time. The inside one doesn't disintegrate nearly as quickly. The dual suit approach prevents any revealing moments even if your outside suit is getting a little iffy.

Also, rinsing after every swim helps quite a bit. I generally rinse mine in the shower after I swim and I've never really paid attention to the temp, but I do rinse after every swim.

Nylon is much better than the lycra. After a month, the lycra suits can stretch to cover my car. Not good for working out. Nylon can sometimes be difficult to find. I've gotten my nylon workout suits at D&J sports. http://www.djsports.com/

Just my experience.

Brittain

Hi: I am a girl, cannot tell you about boys' shorts but I can help with the brands and care
I use swimming-specific clothes for my routine workouts, TRY or Speedo swimsuits are the ones that last the most. I just bough a Nike swimsuit, very comfy (who knows how long is going to last). In my opinion, Tri clothes are very expensive for trainning (and probably designed for open water swimming, no clorine concern there)... I have 2 swimsuits and alternate them during the week. With proper care you can extend the life of your swimsuit, I always rinse mine in fresh water after the workout and then I place them on a laundry bag (for delicates) when doing my laundry. Plain soap is all you need to wash them although some people just wash them in the shower with shampoo.

Thanks everyone!