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.
We talked with multiple Speedo athletes about their thoughts on the new suits, and they gave their praise in nearly every aspect:
“Every single time they came back with something new and different, and I think they really listened to what we had to say.” –Kevin Cordes, 2016 Olympic Champion
“It has a thickness to it, that makes you feel a little more comfortable when you’re putting it on… it’s like it fits into your body like a little glove” –Alia Atkinson, 4-Time Olympian
“Great flexibility through the hips, it doesn’t really kill your hips as you bring your legs up to make a turn” –Joseph Schooling, 2016 Olympic Champion
“They made the old Speedo suit… even better.” –Hali Flickinger, 2016 Olympian
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!”
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.
According to Schooling, even opening the box is “an experience.” Must be some box.
Good to see Dressel confident in the new suit. His performances are directly proportional to his confidence level, that’s everyone but seems even more so for him.
I’m impressed these silly names made it through all the focus groups and pro athletes. Pure valor? lol
It does look like they improved it vastly over the LZR X. That suit hurt. I just got the TYR Venzo, I haven’t even worn it in the pool yet, but I already feel it could be the best suit.
“I tried it in practice the other day, and broke the WR in the 100 fly by 2 whole seconds!!!!. I love this suit!!!… so fast in practice, just like me. A perfect fit!!!” – Schooling
Has anyone bothered to share the exciting new pricetag for the new tech suits yet? That’s all I care to know! COL!
Speedo identifies Cordes as a “2016 Olympic Champion.”
No disrespect for Kevin’s many aquatic accomplishments, but that phrase seems like an enormous stretch for someone who swam just a prelim leg on a relay that later went on to win gold (with different personnel).
I have no problem with listing him as a “2016 Olympic Gold medalist,” which he in fact is. IMHO: “Champion” doesn’t sound right in this context.
Surprised by the number of folks who disagree, but I guess that’s healthy.
When I think of a “champion,” I imagine a person standing at the top of the podium congratulating his vanquished fellow competitors. Cordes has had this “top-of-the-podium champion” experience many times — just not at the Olympics. I wish him well in his attempt to make the 2020 team.
If you win an olympic gold medal you are, by definition, an olympic champion. There’s really no lee-way in the definition, and frankly no one cares what you “imagine” when you read the phrase. Let’s not nickel and dime our greatest swimmers in this way.
@DMACNCHEEZ You say: “no one cares what I imagine.”
Actually, Speedo should care what I think. I’m a lifelong Speedo customer. The term “Olympic Champion” is used in a commercial context which I think has a higher bar. Joseph Schooling is an “Olympic Champion.” I saw him atop the podium in Rio looking down at Phelps, Czeh, and Chad — a great moment. Speedo should care that if don’t think the term fits for Cordes, then I might not believe some of their other claims, and perhaps purchase TYR gear instead of theirs.
Try this marketing test: which Olympic gold medalist can you see as having a more legitimate claim to being on the cover of a box of… Read more »
Anyone who makes the Olympics is a undeniably a great swimmer, but a prelim relay swimmer for a dominant country like the US is a very “soft” Olympic gold medal. Just not the same as being on the podium. Similar to a Canadian hockey player who doesn’t play in any of the games, but gets the gold because he’s last man who made the team.
It’s interesting how Speedo seems to have taken on Mizuno’s train of thought by almost mimicking their separate flexible and extremely tight suit concept