Swimming costumes - what lasts?

[Youcunnyfunt]

Oh wise ones, please help.

I like swimming, and I wouldn't say I swim that often. But over the course of the year, I'd probably go to rivers, lakes, the sea, indoor and outdoor pools, and occasionally spas and hot tubs a few times each. I seem to get through tons of swimming costumes. I wash and rinse them thoroughly, by hand, after each session. My wetsuit - looks fine. Towel is holding up well after 10+ years. My swimming costumes? I have to replace every 12-24 months. It's getting ridiculous. I'm also quite large of chest, so good bikinis are not cheap.

Any ideas of good brands or what to look for? I want a costume that will LAST just a few years. I'd like to choose when to change it - not do the choosing for me!

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If you've found this page in search of swimwear that has been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best swimsuits for women useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

Speedo endurance, functional for swimming. Last lots longer than standard suits, frequently used by squad swimmers.
Funkita: also used by squad swimmers, more dramatic cuts and colours.
You’d probably need to look at swimming websites rather than more general sites though.

I use Speedo swimsuits and really rate them. They fit and they wear well.

Mind you I think 6-9 months is good going for a swimming costume. Unless you literally wear it once or twice a month I think you are optimistic hoping for years of wear. I swim 3-4 times a week and usually buy 1-2 costumes a year.

Speedo is one of the brands that has properly disintegrated on me before (a few times) - you know when they suddenly go see-through?

@Youcunnyfunt

Speedo is one of the brands that has properly disintegrated on me before (a few times) - you know when they suddenly go see-through?

Were they the Endurance ones though? Those are definitely more long lasting.

Are you rinsing them out in water soon as you get home and then washing in mild detergent following by air drying? They really shouldn't be going see through! My Boden costume is indestructible. It's been through the tunnel dryer loads. Getting in it feels like trussing a chicken mind...

I swim a lot in both the pool and sea and have never found a swimsuit that lasts more than a year. I have loads though and usually just rinse them under the outside tap as for 8 months a year they are worn most days ( I am in Oz so swimming season is long)..

I have an Endurance Speedo one and I have had it about 20 years!

Now to be fair I don't swim that often, but still probably have worn it at least 100 times altogether? It looks fine.

I used to go swimming around 3 times a week using Speedo which are great to swim in and good value but did go see through after 12 months or so. I suspect it was as pool was heavily chlorinated. It might help to rinse immediately in the changing rooms to get chlorine out. I couldn't find a solution to this so just bought Speedo ones on offer and at least not costing much.

I'm a fan of Lands End swimming costumes. They wear really well and do last me for years - they seem pretty indestructible. I'm not a serious swimmer in any way but, prior to Covid, was going most weeks.

My ds is a swimmer. Trains 8 times a week.

We've been buying decathlon jammers and they last for a year.

Worth looking at their swimwear.

Have a look at Batoko - made of recycled plastic so get brownie points there but are also lovely and thick and last well. The designs are very bold so depends on what your taste is, but I invariably get compliments on mine!

Thank you... will check those all out

Watching with interest.

I swim 4 times a week (in a pool)
All my suits are speedo.
I can go through swim wear in 12 weeks.
Speedo endurance definitely last longer though.
I put on either a rinse cycle afterwards or a 15 min wash at 30 degrees but no washing powder.

I only ever buy swim wear in the sale- I've picked up speedo suits for £8 before so it's not as bad when they have to get chucked after 3-4 months.

I currently have 5 swim suits on a rotation!
May start looking at some other brands suggested here.

@winesolveseverything

Watching with interest.

I swim 4 times a week (in a pool)
All my suits are speedo.
I can go through swim wear in 12 weeks.
Speedo endurance definitely last longer though.
I put on either a rinse cycle afterwards or a 15 min wash at 30 degrees but no washing powder.

I only ever buy swim wear in the sale- I've picked up speedo suits for £8 before so it's not as bad when they have to get chucked after 3-4 months.

I currently have 5 swim suits on a rotation!
May start looking at some other brands suggested here.

haha same! Just started a new one last week mmmmmm and I have at least three "spare", it's daft really as they are knackered.

Got current one in tk Maxx £15 bargain 😀

I swim in Speedo and Batoko. The cheaper single layer speedos definitely don't last that long. But the batoko is double layered as are the more expensive Speedos and they are definitely more durable

I’d recommend Budgy Smugglers.
I swim ALL the time! I’ve got about 30 cossies after weeding out some of the knackered ones. I like slazenger which are cheap (I usually only pay about £8 but they don’t last) I’ve done some very long swims (almost 20 hours!) & a lot of training in a Speedo endurance and I like them and they last well.
But my new absolute favorite is Budgy Smuggler. True to size - I am a 16 with big boobs and truly it is the most comfortable cossie. They have fab patterns, don’t fade and last really well.