How do I know what size to order?
- For suit sizing information please consult our sizing chart
- Female sizing can be comparable to a dress size - most brands actually don’t size by dress size. The female sizes are basically an arbitrary number that doesn’t really correlate to any measurement. But our size chart will indicate what dress size the “22, 24, 26, 28, etc.” is equivalent to
- Men sizing comparable to waist size
- You may also visit a retail location for fitting
Note: In general we find that the TYR brand fits big compared to the Speedo brand.
What’s the difference between girl’s size 26, 28, in a youth Speedo suit, and female size 26, 28 suit?
As girls mature into women their body shapes alter. You may find it hard to get a proper fit for girls sizing. Speedo youth sizing is specifically designed for the younger girl swimmers and the size 26 and 28 correlate closely to girls' sizes 10 and 12. The following chart should help you determine whether to buy the girls' size or the youth size.
Size | Chest | Waist | Hip |
Youth 26/10 | 28.5 | 25 | 30 |
Youth 28/12 | 30 | 26 | 32 |
26 | 31 | 23 | 33.5 |
28 | 32 | 24 | 34.5 |
What is my racing suit size?
Sizing is extremely important with racing suits! Racing suits are supposed to hug everypart of your body! The compression comes from the structure of the suit, rather than how tightly it fits. Ideally you want to go one to three sizes down from what you train in. However, this may vary depending on the brand of your training suit and the brand of your racing suit. You should also take into consideration your body shape as some brands fit different body types better than others. We find that Arena racing suits generally fit swimmers with more narrow hips, while Speedo racing suits work better for swimmers with bigger hips.
We recommend, if possible, that you establish your racing suit size in any of the following ways:
- Visit one of our retail store locations and try racing suits on. Different brands and styles have different fits and our Swim Experts can assist you in getting the best fit possible.
- Our handy sizing chart will offer you guidance. Select the size you think will be best for you. Remember, you may return or exchange items that do not fit as long as they have not been worn and tags are still intact. Find out more in our return policy.
*Note: Wearing a racing suit that is not the right size may actually hinder performance. A suit that is too big will create drag and not offer correct compression for optimal performance. While a racing suit that is too tight will be too constrictive and not allow you to use your body’s natural range of motion.
How do I know if my goggles fit?
Ideally you should be able to push the goggles onto your face without them falling off. An alternative test is to put the goggles on (without straps), grab the nosepiece and pull the goggles off your face. If you hear a pop and feel the suction on your face, then you know you have a good seal that is going to keep water out.
Are fin sizes unisex, male or female?
Fins are unisex and based off male sizing (e.g., 3-5, 5-7 etc.)
- Women's should size down 1-2 (e.g., fin size 6 = women's size 7/8)
How do I size paddles?
It is important to know what size is best for you. A general rule to follow is that paddles should not be anymore than 10% bigger than your hand. All our paddles have measurements in the product images. If you are using a paddle that is too big, you are potentially inviting improper technique and overloading your shoulder muscles which can lead to injuries. That being said, the size of the paddle should also be dictacted by your experience as a swimmer. If you are a younger swimmer, we recommend starting with smaller paddles, and as you gain experience and strength, slowly increase the size.