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Kathleen Baker Shares Her Thoughts on the New Speedo Fastskin (Video)

SwimSwam recently embedded with Speedo at their 2019 photo shoot for the new Speedo Fastskin LZR Pure Valor and Fastskin LZR Pure Intent. The athletes were in peak form to model their new battle armor, and eager to discuss what new technology Speedo had brought to the table.

World record holder Kathleen Baker was very impressed by how comfortable the suit was while still maintaining a high level of compression:

“That’s something that was really mastered with this suit: I still feel like I’m getting a lot of compression while I’m not feeling like… it’s too tight I can’t move”

LZR Pure Intent

Developed from a deeper understanding of hydrodynamics and the biomechanics of swimming the LZR Pure Intent is Speedo’s smartest suit to date. Flexible zoned compression allows the swimmer a wider range of motion in the legs and makes it easier to put on and more comfortable to wear. There are three brand new fabrics which directly target flexibility, compression and drag reduction in the areas that need it. The fabrics have been through vigorous flat plate testing, with multiple textures used to identify which were fastest both individually and when combined.

The male swimsuit is available with a high or regular waist and has a unique textured fabric zone on the rear to target drag reduction through turbulence management, inspired by their most in-depth study of shark scales to date. The male suit also features new band technology supporting the hamstrings for a more powerful leg kick and faster upbeat recovery.

The female version features textured fabric zones around the chest and rear, newly engineered precision straps to provide greater comfort and range of movement, and a choice of open or closed back to cater for different body types and preferences

Compressive dual layering along with an improved ergonomic seam placement has been added to the legs of both male and female swimsuits to give maximum compression to key muscle groups to support a stronger kick and harness the power athletes generate in their starts and turns.

Caeleb Dressel (USA), said: “The LZR Pure Intent feels really good. It’s springy and it’s connected. You get the compression where you want it – from the booty all the way down to the back of the legs and it works with your kicks, it’s like you have a little spring on you. It’s my own super suit!”

About Speedo®

The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations and supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level. In the 1920s Speedo made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non- wool suit. In 2008 Speedo redefined swimwear again with Fastskin LZR RACER – the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created. In 2015, Speedo launched the Fastskin LZR Racer X, the first suit engineered to help swimmers feel their fastest. Its development was made possible through analyses of the physical and psychological aspects of competitive swimming with over 330 elite swimmers. Speedo is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, AQUALAB, RACING SYSTEM, BIOFUSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, SCULPTURE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents. The FASTSKIN3 cap, goggle and suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

About PVH:

With a history going back over 135 years, PVH has excelled at growing brands and businesses with rich American heritages, becoming one of the largest apparel companies in the world. We have over 36,000 associates operating in over 40 countries and nearly $9 billion in annual revenues. We own the iconic CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER, Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Speedo*, Warner’s, Olga and Geoffrey Beene brands, as well as the digital-centric True & Co. intimates brand, and market a variety of goods under these and other nationally and internationally known owned and licensed brands.

*The Speedo brand is licensed for North America and the Caribbean in perpetuity from Speedo International Limited

Swimming news courtesy of Speedo, a SwimSwam partner.

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yoyoyo
5 years ago

Per usual Speedo struggling to come up with new tech. Just needed a new design to sell. Yes it’s been a long time since arena did carbon but it is still better to this day

Pasdinret
5 years ago

I feel like these suits don’t “pop” either in the water or out on the deck like those of other brands, seem very generic.Guess that’s why they had to personalize the suit boxes for their sponsored athletes as K. Baker talks about, make them feel special to compensate for a bland suit and try to generate some artificial interest.

GB Masters swimmer
Reply to  Pasdinret
5 years ago

Kathleen talks for a minute about the fit, feel and performance benefits/improvements…that to me sounds more important than how poppythe print is on the fabric…I’m looking for substance over just “style”

Real Life Laboratory
Reply to  GB Masters swimmer
5 years ago

I think there is too much water absorbency now in the fabric with the very slight change they made to the straps and around the armpits. Still very hard to get the suit on. Also, the new flesh-like color reflects up in my eyes and messes me up and I am afraid someone might think I am naked in the water.

Chicagoan
Reply to  Pasdinret
5 years ago

I wonder if K. Baker was uncomfortable in the old Speedo suit and that’s why she kept hitting lane ropes in her backstroke races. Probably should equip the suits with a rearview mirror, that would help. Not a fan of the new color.

Copenhagen
5 years ago

Very minimal change from prior suit, just a lot of mumbo jumbo. It is a brand name licensed and put on a suit by a publicly-traded distribution company that has no input in suit design, so the talk of “family” is pretty funny.

GB Masters swimmer
Reply to  Copenhagen
5 years ago

Three new fabrics and talks of multiple development trips with USA swimmers sounds like more than mumbo jumbo

toastedcoconut
Reply to  GB Masters swimmer
5 years ago

there’s only so much you can do with textile..

Samesame
Reply to  Copenhagen
5 years ago

I know a couple of swimmers involved in testing ,and they were impressed .

ACC fan
Reply to  Copenhagen
5 years ago

Do you work for Arena?

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