Tips for Tech-ing Up: Advice from ‘The Swimsuit Guy’ for Championship Season
After five months of stress and hard work, we’ve almost made it: championship season is right around the corner. From the club level all the way up to NCAAs, the crux of the short course season lies in February. And as many know all too well, as the stakes rise in swimming, so does the presence of “tech suits.”
It’s become traditional for athletes over the age of 12 to invest in a suit for their championship meet, looking to ensure their fastest swim when it matters most. But with ever-shifting prices and options, the search has become harder than ever. YouTube celebrity “The Swimsuit Guy,” a.k.a Sonny Trigg, does his best to break it down, posting weekly videos examining the latest on the tech suit market. I spoke with Sonny on what makes a great tech suit, and how swimmers should invest for championship season 2025.
Beginning Your Search
When starting a search for a tech suit, one thing that stands out is the overwhelming amount of options. Each top brand promotes 3-4 suits ranging in price, all selling you on their “new technology.” But according to Sonny, the brands are a lot more similar than initially appears.
“Each company these days seemingly has at least one suit with a looser, more comfortable fit, and a more sprint-based technical suit,” explained Trigg. “They’re more similar than ever before, making it hard to make a wrong choice.”
The content creator and coach explained this as a product of a lack of progress in the technology behind the suits since 2016. Trigg pointed to Mizuno’s GX Sonic III as the last suit to truly change the industry, with its compression and taping patterns making the suit more water-repellant than ever before.
“It was the last suit that truly made a difference,” Trigg said. “It raised the floor for tech suits over the past decade, but the ceiling hasn’t been raised since.”
Suits like TYR’s Venzo/Shockwave, Arena’s Primo, and Speedo’s Pure Intent have looked to replicate Mizuno’s success, implementing similar technology to compete, according to Trigg. The suit was better for shorter races, with more compression (or tightness) leading to improved power. But it isn’t the only influential suit on the market. Trigg pointed to Arena’s “Carbon” series launched in 2012 as a revolutionary suit as well.
“The carbons had both a market appeal and great longevity in performance,” Trigg said. “It has made them incredibly popular.”
Suits like the TYR Avictor and Speedo Pure Valor, among others, follow this model. The suits had comparatively less compression, allowing swimmers to be more comfortable in longer races, but still enough to lead to success.
Given this factor, the suit expert believes a lot comes to personal preference. But in a sport with a margin of error as small as swimming, there were still some factors Trigg believed to make a significant difference.
High Waisted vs. Low Waisted/Closed Back vs. Open Back
When it comes to tech suits, suits generally come in two different cuts: high-waisted or low-waisted for men, and closed back or open back for women. High-waisted suits for men provide more suit higher up on the swimmer’s body. Low-waisted suits usually sit near a swimmer’s hips, offering more comfort. Women’s suits are similar, with closed back suits providing more coverage and open back suits providing more comfort. But to Trigg, the difference in coverage is an undeniable opportunity for improved performance.
“In a sport where marginal gains matter, that much more coverage can make a difference,” spelled out Trigg. “I strongly believe swimmers should choose high waisted/close back suits, unless they find them unbearably uncomfortable.”
Comfort is always a priority, especially on race day. But in a sport where milliseconds mean everything, more coverage seems like a key to speed.
Protecting Your Suit
Choosing a suit is a big decision, but the choice won’t matter if you don’t properly taken care of the suit. Tech suits have a limited shelf life, generally ranging from 10-12 swims according to SwimOutlet. “It’s important to limit your time in the suit, and take care of it afterward,” Trigg said, citing suits he’s had last for “years and years” by giving them proper care. For more information on how to take care of a tech suit, see our guide from August: https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/10-ways-to-increase-the-life-of-your-racing-suit/.
PFA Chemicals
Many suits developed over the past decade contain PFA chemicals, a.k.a “Forever Chemicals,” in order to make them more water resistant. However, the chemicals carry a plethora of health risks, including developmental issues in children, immune system impacts, and cancer. It’s unclear if tech suits present the same amount of danger, given the limited amount of time they are used. But some suits are now unable to be shipped to New York or California, due to a ban on the chemical within these states. Make sure to check if your suit is available in your current state. All suits should also have a description of their materials listed.
So What’s The Best Choice?
Despite his belief in the similarity of today’s suits, to Trigg there were two clear standouts. The YouTuber pointed to the entire Mizuno line as superb, but had a special affinity for the Mizuno GX Sonic 6 NV. “The suit practically kicks for you,” he described, with its high levels of compression and specially designed tapering making a difference. The GX Sonic 6 NV retails for $410.
Another favorite of Trigg’s was the new Arena Primo, the brand’s first non-carbon flagship suit in some time. “Everyone, from the world’s fastest sprinters, to its best distance swimmers have worn this suit,” he emphasized, pointing to the suit’s comfort despite its high compression levels. “It’s perhaps the best all around suit,” said the “Swimsuit Guy,” making it a worthy buy. The suit retails for $410.
“It’s so important to have more than one tech suit, so that you can maximize their shelf life,” suggested Trigg, “even if that means not getting the best on market.”
