Buying Suits and Gear

Swimming is a specialty sport and it's hard to find good gear locally. We have a Team Store on Swimoutlet.com where we highlight some gear that we have used in the past. You are not obligated to use this link, but our team does get rebates for extra gear whenever purchases are made through our store.

What equipment does the team supply?
We provide kickboards and we have a limited supply of center snorkels, paddles and fins. 

What equipment do I need to have?
A swimsuit - If you plan to race at swim meets, we ask that you purchase a team suit through our Team Store on Swimoutlet.com. Girls typically swim with one-piece suits (two-piece suits can't be worn in competition and they usually don't work well for practices either). Boys typically swim with "jammers" (lycra suits that cover from the waist to the tops of the knees). Boys can wear swim trunks if they prefer that, but most swimmers find the jammers more comfortable. Some swimmers wear brief cut suits (traditional Speedos).

A quick note on swimsuits: It's common for new swimmers (and sometimes experienced swimmers) to feel self conscious in a suit made for competitive swimming. Your swimmer should wear whatever they are comfortable wearing.

Goggles - Our team is sponsored by Arena, so we encourage our swimmers to use Arena gear when possible. We find that brands like Arena, TYR, Speedo, and Sporti typically work best. These are brands designed for competitive swimmers and they are more durable and comfortable than recreational goggles. Diving masks and goggles that cover the nose should be avoided.

Fins - Level 3-4 swimmers often wear fins during practices. We have a limited supply for loan. We also have hand-me-down fins from growing swimmers. If you are able to buy fins, please do, but wait until the first week of practice. The coaches will bring fins for your swimmer(s) to try on to get the right size. They will also look for hand-me-down fins from growing swimmers. Once we determine if you need fins (and the size), we can put in a bulk order to save on shipping. You are also free to buy your own. Please note that competitive swimmers use short fins, not the long ones used by SCUBA divers.

Center snorkels - S.W.A.T. swimmers only. We have a limited supply, but some swimmers like to have their own. Please check out the team store for recommendations.

PLEASE NOTE: If buying the required gear presents a hardship to you, just ask a coach. We always have extra gear and will make sure everyone gets what they need. It's no big deal to ask. We will just throw in some extra stuff when we place the order and nobody will know you asked for help. We want everyone to have what they need and feel good about the process.

Optional gear:
Many swimmers like to use nose clips when doing backstroke starts and turns.

A mesh bag for your deck gear is very helpful.

Most swimmers benefit from wearing a cap (see below for more info) 

Where should I buy swim gear?
SwimOutlet.com is a great online source and is the location of our team store. Dicks sporting goods sells a limited inventory of swim stuff.

Swim Gear FAQs:

Do I need to wear a swim cap?

Swim caps are not mandatory, but many swimmers fin that they swim better with a cap. Caps make you more streamlined and keep your hair out of your face. They are very helpful for swimmers with long hair.
 

What kind of swim cap should I use?

The majority of swimmers use silicone caps. They are easy to put on than latex caps. Silicone caps are more expensive than latex, but they last longer and are a better value. If treated well, you can expect a silicone cap to last a full season (most swimmers go through one or two per season). They usually cost $10-$20.

Latex caps often stay on better than silicone caps. They tend to pull on hair a bit more than silicone caps and some swimmers find them more difficult to put on. Latex caps last about a month, but they only cost between $2-$6.

Dome Caps are designed to fit tightly without wrinkles. They are very streamlined and are used by some swimmers for races. Most swimmers will not benefit from a dome cap, but swimmers who are fast enough to progress to championship meets may benefit from these caps. They are made of silicone and cost $20-$65. They last about a season if they are only used at meets.

Lycra caps were once very popular before silicone caps were developed, but we no longer recommend them for competitive swimming.

Do I need to purchase a team suit, backpack and warmup jacket?

We are sponsored by Arena. They give our team free gear and discounts in return for our commitment to their brand. We chose Arena because they are dedicated to aquatic sports, they make excellent products and they do a lot to promote competitive swimming. We ask each swimmer to purchase a team suit, bag and warmup at our team store.

What is a “Tech Suit” and do I need one?

Tech suits are designed to provide body compression and a more streamlined fit. They are made of fabrics and stitching that glide through the water better than a regular suit. USA swimming has rules about what types of suits are allowed. Swimmers age 12 and under have additional restrictions on tech suits. If you choose to buy one, make sure it is FINA/ISA approved (and 12U approved for swimmers 12 and under).

Tech suits have been proven to drop a few fractions of a second for every 50 yards when worn by elite adult swimmers. Little research has been done with younger, non-elite swimmers, but it’s safe to say that these suits are a little faster. Most of our swimmers will not benefit from these suits, but swimmers who progress to championship meets tend to race faster in tech suits. Our team does not expect anyone to purchase these suits. We leave the choice to each family. They cost between $250-$700.

We are sponsored by Arena. If your swimmer qualifies for Age Groups, Sectionals, or a national meet, we can get Arena tech suits for a significant discount (or for free). Please ask your coach for details.