A Cheat Sheet for Creating the Perfect Swimming Workout and Routine

Download this FREE cheat sheet to create the perfect swimming workout and routine. Learn how to structure your swim workout and enjoy 9 example workouts, ranging from beginner to advanced.

Swim Workout Cheat Sheet

11 Best Tech Suits for Breaststroke Swimmers- Expert Guide

We may earn commission from affiliate links on certain pages at no additional cost to you. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it! Read Full Disclosure.

SwimCompetitive-SwimOutlet Banner Top 2
SwimCompetitive-SwimOutlet Banner Top 1

The results of every swimming race are linked to your hard work in and out of the pool- but more often than not, it’s only a matter of milliseconds that will determine who is the ultimate winner and walks home with the gold medal, team qualifying position, or big meet record. 

How can you ensure that it’s you on the podium and not your lifelong rival? 

Tech suits are well known for providing a range of benefits helping swimmers to maximize their performance in the pool and swim at their peak when it matters most. I am by no means saying that a tech suit is a substitute for hard work in the pool- but when it comes down to fractions of a second determining the winner- a well-chosen and stroke optimized tech suit can greatly count in your favor.

In this article, I’ll thoroughly cover some of the best tech suits for breaststroke swimmers, ensuring you can race at your maximum potential when it’s time to step on the blocks. I’ll analyze core features, make comparisons, and provide input from my own experience using these suits, allowing you to choose the best breaststroke tech suit for you.

Furthermore, we’ll go over tech suits in different price ranges, ensuring you not only find a suit that fits your budget- but one that provides great performance and value for money as well. All tech suits have been hand-picked with the focus on power, snapback, and hip mobility- all vital aspects of fast breaststroke swimming- and a good breaststroke tech suit.

What Are The Best Tech Suits For Breaststroke Swimmers?

Here are the best tech suits for breaststroke swimmers-

  1. TYR Venzo
  2. Arena Carbon Core FX
  3. Speedo LZR Pure Valor
  4. Jaked Jkeel
  5. FINIS Fuse
  6. Arena Carbon Flex VX
  7. FINIS Rival 2.0
  8. Mizuno Sonic GX V
  9. FINIS Vapor Pro
  10. Arena R-Evo One
  11. Arena Powerskin ST 2.0

←Scroll to view the full table on mobile→

Breaststroke Tech Suit Recommended Breaststroke Events Material Composition Price Range Our Rating View On SwimOutlet
TYR Venzo 50, 100, 200 breaststroke 70% nylon, 30% lycra  Top Range 10/10 >View Price
Arena Carbon Core FX 50 and 100 breaststroke (main) 52% polyamide, 47% elastane, 1% carbon fiber Top Range 10/10 >View Price
Speedo LZR Pure Valor 200 breaststroke (main) 65% polyamide, 35% elastane
Top Range 10/10 >View Price
Jaked Jkeel 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 58% polyamide, 32% elastane, 10% polyester
Mid Range 8/10 >View Price
FINIS Fuse 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 71% polyamide, 29% elastane
Budget 7/10 >View Price
Arena Carbon Flex VX 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 52% nylon, 47% elastane, 1% carbon Fiber Top Range 10/10 >View Price
FINIS Rival 2.0 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 44% elastane, 41% polyamide, and 15% polyester Top Range 10/10 >View Price
Mizuno Sonic GX V 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 65% polyamide, 35% elastane 
Top Range 10/10 >View Price
FINIS Vapor Pro 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 80% polyamide, 20% elastane Mid Range 8/10 >View Price
Arena R-Evo One 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 78% polyamide, 22% elastane Mid Range 7/10 >View Price
Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke 71% polyamide, 29% elastane
Budget 6/10 >View Price

For help with finding the right size for your tech suit, consider reading my tech suit sizing guide, where I cover all of the most popular swimming brands and their tech suits.

1. TYR Venzo Tech Suit- Top Breaststroke Pick Overall

If you are looking for an excellent overall tech suit, optimal for all breaststroke events (50, 100, 200), then the TYR Venzo is a great option. The Venzo is TYR’s latest tech suit- and one of the best suits currently available. It’s a feature-loaded tech suit and makes an excellent fit for breaststroke swimmers. 

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The TYR Venzo is an excellent breaststroke tech suit due to its highly compressive yet flexible design. This allows breaststroke swimmers to generate maximal power and snapback with every kick and lunge. The suit’s innovative drag reduction and stroke enhancement technology also ensures you have a great glide, allowing you to reach peak acceleration.

Top Pick for Sprinters and IM
TYR Venzo Tech Suit

Quick summary: the TYR Venzo is one of the best sprinting tech suits, although still perfectly suited to mid-range events. The suit works well with all strokes.

Features include a durable, water-resistant fabric combined with a frictionless fiber construction and seamless exo-shell to reduce drag. Built-in surface lift technology, dual layering, and an endo-compression cage further enhance your performance.

Downsides include lacking comfort and being hard to put on.

Buy Now on SwimOutlet

Design And Features: As mentioned earlier, the TYR Venzo has many features built into its design. The suit has a lightweight build with 70% nylon and 30% lycra fabric, guaranteeing lower drag and increased agility in the water.

I’ve also found the suit’s fabric to be extremely durable- this ensures that your suit retains essential features such as compression and water-repellency (both of which are very prominent in this suit). This keeps your suit race-ready for a long time and saves you money in the long run.

In terms of compression, the TYR Venzo presents an Endo Compression Cage. This design aspect creates a flexible and compressive support cage for the abdominals, obliques, and quadriceps. This allows for maximal power, snapback, and distance per stroke- perfect for breaststroke swimmers.

When it comes to drag reduction, the TYR Venzo features a Frictionless Fiber Construction- born in the lab by analyzing drag on a microscopic level- this ultra-smooth fiber allows for a frictionless and durable fabric.

This fabric cuts down on drag and allows for a long, smooth, and powerful front glide that will enable you to swim breaststroke as fast as possible.

Drag is further reduced by using a Seamless Exo Shell design, also helping to streamline your body position and enhance buoyancy and speed.

The final core feature of the TYR Venzo tech suit is its Surface Lift Technology. This stops water from permeating the fabric, ultimately increasing buoyancy and body position in the water, resulting in reduced resistance and faster swimming. 

The surface lift technology is particularly beneficial for breaststroke swimming as you want your hips to sit high and exit the water with every kick, which is a combination of good body position and power- both of which the Venzo assists you with.

TYR Venzo Tech Suit

Sizing: The TYR Venzo tech suit is available in a few sizing variations, namely high- and standard waist versions for men and open- and closed-back versions for women. As mentioned, this tech suit is very compressive, making it hard to get on and quite uncomfortable to wear in the beginning.

That said, it will stretch out over time. Size charts are accurate for the suit, but you can consider sizing one up if you want more initial comfort- remember, though, this suit is meant to be highly compressive for maximum benefit.

Cons: When it comes to the suit’s features, I have nothing to complain about- it truly is one of the best tech suits on the market. That said, unfortunately, it doesn’t have the most comfortable design due to its high compression. Getting the suit on can also be a bit of a mission. However, the suit does stretch out a bit over time, allowing for a more personalized fit.

In Closing: Overall, the TYR Venzo is a great tech suit for breaststroke swimmers with many innovative features that will assist with swimming faster breaststroke and raking in those gold medals and PBs.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 70% nylon, 30% lycra.
  • Compression: Endo-Compression Cage.
  • Drag Reduction: Frictionless Fiber Construction, Seamless Exo Shell.
  • Hip-Lift: Surface Lift Technology.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted.
  • Price Range: Top range.
  • Our Rating: 10/10.

2. Arena Carbon Core FX Tech Suit- Top Pick For Breaststroke Sprinters

The Carbon Core FX is one of the latest tech suits released by Arena. This tech suit has many great features built-in and will make an excellent fit for sprint breaststroke events, namely 50s and 100s. That said, it’s still more than suitable for 200 breaststroke and other swimming events- particularly IMs.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The Arena Carbon Core FX presents a range of features making it an excellent option for breaststroke swimmers. Firstly, the tech suit is highly compressive, ensuring maximal power. Secondly, an unrestricted design allows for great range of motion. Lastly, an innovative taping system creates a lifting effect and snapback in the breaststroke kick. 

Arena Carbon Core FX Tech Suit

Quick summary: the Arena Carbon Core FX is a compressive tech suit ideal for sprinters and also makes a good IM option. It is optimal for all of the strokes.

The suit has many innovative features, including an advanced carbon compression cage, state-of-the-art taping system, lightweight water-repellent fabric, and a flexible design.

Downsides include lacking water-repellent technology and short drawstrings. 

Buy Now on SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The Arena Carbon Core FX features a lightweight and compressive design with a fabric composition of 52% polyamide, 47% elastane, and 1% carbon fiber- unique to the Arena Carbon series tech suits.

The carbon cage fabric’s horizontal and vertical support grid produces solid and durable muscle compression, creating a locked-in effect. This allows for faster blood circulation- supplying muscles with oxygen and nutrients while removing lactic acid and other wastes. It also increases muscle activation and allows for a rigid streamline in the water. 

Muscle support and core stabilization are further enhanced through the suit’s internal taping system, resulting in increased power output, a better body position for reduced drag, and maintained speed when you start to fatigue.

Furthermore, the Arena Carbon Core FX features twin taping on the back of the legs allowing for a lifting effect in the water. This not only assists with maintaining a good body position throughout your race but helps produce a powerful and ‘snappy’ breaststroke kick to get your hips out of the water with every stroke cycle.  

When it comes to range of motion, the tech suit’s design allows for unrestricted movement in all directions- making it great for breaststroke swimming, where a lot of mobility is required for a strong and powerful kick and forward lunge.

Arena Carbon Core FX Tech Suit

Sizing: The Arena Carbon Core FX is available in an open- and closed-back version for women, allowing the swimmer to pick to their preference. Men’s suits, however, only come in a standard waist version- not that it’s a problem since most swimmers prefer the standard waist suits anyway. 

I’ve heard some male swimmers complaining about sizing on this suit- mainly that it fits too small. I recommend getting this suit in the same size as the Arena Carbon Ultra, Carbon Flex, and Carbon Pro (if you’ve ever worn those suits).

That said, if you usually race in an Arena Carbon Air 2 tech suit, I recommend going one size up. Keep in mind, it’s also a good idea to reference the size charts- especially if you haven’t worn one of the suits mentioned above before.

Cons: There isn’t much to complain about regarding the suit’s design, apart from minor sizing issues. That said, I’ve found that the water-resistance on this suit isn’t as great as some other suits, such as the TYR Venzo, for example, and that the suit absorbs a bit more water- even so, most water still gets repelled, allowing for reduced drag.

In Closing: All in all, I think this is easily one of the best tech suits for breaststroke swimmers currently available. Not even to mention that this is the suit used by the current 50m- and 100m breaststroke world record holder and the defending Olympic champion- Adam Peaty.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100.
  • Fabric Composition: 52% polyamide, 47% elastane, 1% carbon fiber.
  • Compression: Carbon Cage, Internal Taping System.
  • Drag Reduction: Water-repellent; Ehanced body position.
  • Hip-Lift: External Twin Hamstring Taping.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted.
  • Price Range: Top range.
  • Our Rating: 10/10.

3. Speedo LZR Pure Valor Tech Suit- Top Pick for 200 Breaststroke

As with many suits in this article- the LZR Pure Valor is one of Speedo’s latest and greatest innovations delivering the perfect blend between flexibility, compression, and comfort. This tech suit is a less compressive, more flexible suit focused on longer events, making it a particularly good option for 200 breaststroke, although some swimmers use it for 50s and 100s as well due to the comfortable fit. 

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The Speedo LZR Pure Valor is a good tech suit for breaststroke swimmers due to its highly flexible design allowing for excellent mobility. In addition to that, it also has features enhancing the swimmer’s power output, muscle connection, and hip- and body position.

Speedo LZR Pure Valor Tech Suit

Quick summary: the Speedo LZR Pure Valor is a less compressive, more flexible tech suit ideal for longer events. It also makes a good fit for all strokes and is popular among breaststroke and IM swimmers.

Features include a lightweight fabric, moderate compression panels, bonded supportive leg seams, water-repellent technology, and premium grips.

Note that the thinner fabric is less durable.

Buy Now on SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The Speedo LZR Pure Valor has a simple but efficient design. It features a lightweight and water-repellent fabric consisting of 65% polyamide and 35% elastane, ensuring agility while racing.

Moderate compression panels are located on the suit’s interior, allowing for a balanced blend between muscle compression and support, range of motion, and comfort- allowing for optimized hip mobility and power while swimming breaststroke.

However, the LZR Pure Valor also features inner leg seams that connect important muscle groups for enhanced power exertion, an optimized body position, and muscle activation. 

The tech suit further reduces drag by using flat bonded seems optimized for hydrodynamics and speed.

Additionally, the suit’s state-of-the-art leg- and waistband design further reduces water ingress, along with the water-repellent fabric, which increases your buoyancy, cuts resistance, and optimizes your body position allowing you to sit high in the water while swimming breaststroke.

Speedo LZR Pure Valor Tech Suit

Sizing: The Speedo LZR Pure Valor comes in 2 versions for both men and women, namely the standard- and high waist jammers along with the open- and closed-back kneeskins. As mentioned, the suit has a comfortable fit and will be reasonably easy to get on.

Cons: In terms of design, I have nothing to criticize. That said, I want to point out that this isn’t the most compressive of suits- which is fine if your focus is on the 200 breaststroke. However, if you mainly swim shorter sprint distances (50 and 100), I recommend a more compressive tech suit like the Arena Carbon Core FX or TYR Venzo.

In Closing: The Speedo LZR Pure Valor is an excellent tech suit with some great performance-enhancing features in its design and a comfortable and flexible fit, making it a great option for breaststroke swimmers. 

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 65% polyamide, 35% elastane.
  • Compression: Moderate compression panels.
  • Drag Reduction: Flat bonded seams; Advanced bands; Water-repellent.
  • Hip-Lift: Inner-leg seams.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted; Highly Flexible.
  • Price Range: Top range.
  • Our Rating: 10/10.

4. Jaked JKeel Tech Suit- Top Mid-Range Pick

When it comes to value for money- the Jaked JKeel is one of my favorite tech suits. This tech suit delivers versatile performance at a more affordable mid-range price compared to the flagship tech suits we’ve discussed so far. In terms of breaststroke swimming, the Jaked Jkeel is a solid option suitable for all breaststroke events.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The Jaked Jkeel is a good option for breaststroke swimmers due to its highly flexible design ensuring optimal range of motion. Its hydrodynamic exterior allows for a strong glide, and the built-in compression system enhances your power output with every stroke cycle. 

Design And Features: The Jaked Jkeel has a quality design with fabrics consisting of 58% polyamide, 32% elastane, and 10% polyester. The different panels of the suit are mended using ultrasound welding and taped seams. This helps not only to create a hydrodynamic suit for reduced drag but also increases the suit’s mechanical capacity for better power exertion with every breaststroke kick and lunge.

Moreover, the fabrics are treated with advanced plasma processes and contain a dual-layer of fluorocarbon resin, creating a highly water-repellent layer on the tech suit’s exterior. This combination results in reduced friction and increased speed, helping you effectively glide through the water when swimming breaststroke.

In terms of compression, high-tenacity fibers in the fabric combined with an ergonomic construction and special taping ensure adequate muscle compression. This allows for powerful breaststroke swimming by linking and activating key muscle groups as well as enhancing your body position and accelerating blood circulation for muscle replenishment.

The Jaked JKeel uses a 3D interior structure enabling unrestricted range of motion and increased hydrodynamics in the water, allowing breaststroke swimmers to move through the entire stroke cycle without any compromise. 

Comfort and fit are further enhanced through the suit’s Flexstripe compensation system (for women’s suits). At the same time, an innovative drawstring tunnel allows you to safely adjust the men’s jammer’s tightness without having to worry about tearing the fabric.

Sizing: The Jaked Jkeel comes in a standard waist version for men and an open- and closed-back version for women. The suit has a comfortable fit with good flexibility and seems to fit true to size.

Cons: As mentioned, the Jaked Jkeel is one of the best value for money tech suits. It, however, has 1 or 2 drawbacks. The first- not so major drawback- is that it’s a mid-range suit, meaning you’ll lose some of the more high-end features found in the flagship suits- that said, considering the price, I’m not worried about this at all.

The second more serious drawback is the logo size. Unfortunately, the logo is quite large and makes the suit unusable for sanctioned high-school meets in the USA (it’s fine for club swimming). If this is an issue for you, I’d recommend the FINIS Vapor Pro or Arena R-Evo One, both of which will be discussed later in this article. 

In Closing: Overall, the Jaked Jkeel is an excellent tech suit for the price. This suit will make a good option for breaststroke swimmers looking for a more affordable tech suit that still packs a punch.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 58% polyamide, 32% elastane, 10% polyester.
  • Compression: High-tenacity fibers; ergonomic construction.
  • Drag Reduction: Advanced plasma fluorocarbon resin coating; taped seams.
  • Hip-Lift: Ergonomic construction.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted; 3D interior panels.
  • Price Range: Mid range.
  • Our Rating: 8/10.

5. FINIS Fuse- Top Budget Pick

If you are looking for an even cheaper tech suit that still delivers good value and performance, then the FINIS Fuse is my top pick. This tech suit is a versatile suit perfect for all breaststroke events while still offering good performance at a very affordable price.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: As mentioned, the FINIS Fuse is a versatile tech suit. In terms of breaststroke, it’s excellent due to its flexible and compressive design allowing for optimal hip mobility and power, as well as presenting drag reduction technology to ensure a fluent glide when you swim breaststroke.

Design And Features: One of the main reasons I have chosen the FINIS Fuse as one of my top budget tech suits is the overall quality of the suit- more specifically, the fabric. 

The suit features 71% polyamide and 29% elastane fabric, which is very similar to many budget suits on the market. That said, the feel of the material on the FINIS Fuse is very high quality- and in many aspects similar to what you’d find on the flagship and mid-range suits. 

Moreover, fabrics are put together using welded seams and a dual-panel design- whereas most other budget suits use stitched seams with a single fabric construction. Additionally, the exterior features hydro-reflective technology, making the suit highly water-resistant. The benefits of this include increased range of motion, reduced drag, and better durability.

The Fuse’s Flexible Muscle Compression technology also allows for increased power output, better blood circulation, speed, and muscle activation without limiting your range of motion in any way. This ensures you can have the perfect balance between power and movement when swimming breaststroke.

Lastly, the suit features premium-grade silicone watertight edges helping to seal water out of your suit for reduced drag and increased buoyancy as well as securing your suit in position when you race.

Sizing: The FINIS Fuse is available in an open-back kneeskin for women and a standard waist jammer for men. The suit has a comfortable, still compressive fit and isn’t too hard to get on.

Cons: Considering the price, I have nothing to criticize. However, you should remember that this is a budget tech suit, and inevitably it will cut back on some of the high-end features found in the flagship suits. That doesn’t mean the FINIS Fuse is a bad tech suit- just that you shouldn’t expect quite the same from it as you would from a flagship suit.

In Closing: The FINIS Fuse is an outstanding tech suit coming in at an affordable budget price. This suit has a quality design and delivers a range of features that will enhance your breaststroke swimming performance.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 71% polyamide, 29% elastane.
  • Compression: Flexible muscle compression technology.
  • Drag Reduction: Welded seams, hydro-reflective properties, silicone watertight edging.
  • Hip-Lift: Dual panel construction.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted.
  • Price Range: Budget.
  • Our Rating: 7/10.

6. Arena Carbon Flex VX Tech Suit

The Arena Carbon Flex VX is slightly older than some of the tech suits on this list but has a reputation for being one of the best tech suits for breaststroke and IM swimmers out there. The VX was also breaststroke legend, Adam Peaty’s, go-to tech suit before the release of the new Core FX- he even had his own limited edition of the suit. This tech suit is perfect for all breaststroke events.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The reason the Arena Carbon Flex VX is a superb tech suit for breaststroke swimmers is due to its highly flexible design (“Flex VX”) and excellent compression. These 2 aspects ensure ideal hip mobility and power with every stroke and kick.

Arena Carbon Flex VX Tech Suit

Quick Summary: The Arena Carbon Flex VX is a great all-around tech suit uniquely fitted to a wide array of events. This includes everything from sprinting to long-distance swimming. It’s also particularly popular among breaststrokers.

Its design features a compressive but lightweight fabric, innovative taping system, optimized range of motion technology, intelligent muscle compression, taped seams, and premium grips, providing you with exceptional swimming performance in the pool.

My only complaint is that it can be hard to get the suit on.

View On SwimOutlet View On Amazon

Design And Features: The Arena Carbon Flex VX has a lightweight design with a slightly denser and compressive, water-repellent fabric consisting of 52% nylon, 47% elastane, and 1% carbon fiber, similar to what we’ve seen with some other Arena carbon tech suits. I should also mention that this suit has great durability and retains its features very well.

The Arena Carbon Flex VX features intelligent muscle compression technology allowing for optimal compression and muscle activation, helping you to generate maximal power when swimming breaststroke.

As the name suggests- “flex” is one of the key features that make this tech suit ideal for breaststroke swimmers. Its flexible design allows for unrestricted movement and great hip mobility. The V-Flex construction eliminates the lower leg side seams allowing for maximized range of motion in all directions when swimming.

Moreover, the Carbon Flex VX’s multi-panel design uses strategically positioned anchor points and high-strength elastic taping to create tension along the back of the upper legs. This helps the swimmer maintain an optimal body position in the water and creates a powerful snapback effect when kicking breaststroke, ensuring both reduced resistance and maximal propulsion.

Drag is further reduced and power enhanced through a construction that creates a locked-in effect for optimal hydrodynamics and compression, while taped seams once again help to lower your resistance in the water for faster swimming and gold medal performances.

Sizing: The Arena Carbon Flex VX has a very compressive but still flexible design. The first time I fitted this tech suit, I had trouble getting it over my knees. Therefore, I recommend purchasing it in your standard training suit size or sizing up about one size if you usually wear an Arena Carbon Air 2. Other than that, the men’s suit comes in a standard waist version and the women’s in an open- and closed-back version.

Cons: In terms of design, nothing, in particular, stood out as a drawback to me other than the suit being quite hard to get on the first few wears, after which it will stretch out a bit and become much more comfortable.

In Closing: If you’re looking for a time-tested tech suit for breaststroke swimming worn by thousands of elite swimmers all over the world, then the Arena Carbon Flex VX is perfect. Despite this suit still very much being a flagship suit, you should be able to get it at a slightly more affordable price than the newer high-end tech suits.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 52% nylon, 47% elastane, 1% carbon fiber.
  • Compression: Intelligent muscle compression technology.
  • Drag Reduction: Hydrodynamic design, taped seams, water-repellent.
  • Hip-Lift: Anchor points and hamstring taping.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted; V-Flex Technology.
  • Price Range: Top range.
  • Our Rating: 10/10.

Do You Want to Make Every Lap Count?

Stop wasting your time in the pool feeling lost and doing directionless swim workouts, and start training effectively! Our ebook contains 97 structured and goal-orientated swim workouts to help you become a better, faster, and fitter swimmer. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, there are a multitude of workouts for every type of swimmer.

The-SwimCompetitive-97-Swim-Workout-Ebook

7. FINIS Rival 2.0 Tech Suit

The Finis Rival 2.0 is an excellent tech suit with some great features bundled into its design. The Rival 2.0 is the latest FINIS tech suit to be released and one of their best flagship models available. The Rival 2.0’s design is versatile and will make a good option for all breaststroke events.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The FINIS Rival 2.0 is exceptionally well suited for breaststroke swimmers. The suit has both flexible hip panels and hip-lifting technology for an ideal breaststroke kick and body position. It also has a compressive design for power in your stroke and drag reduction technology for a long frontal glide. 

FINIS Rival 2.0 Tech Suit

Quick Summary: The Finis Rival 2.0 is a versatile and durable tech suit ideal for all strokes and events.

The fabric is quite compressive but still offers good flexibility. Other performance-enhancing features include shield-tech proprietary fabric, flexible hip panels, and hip-lift technology, ensuring you perform at your best when racing.

In terms of complaints, I have heard that the women’s suit can be tough to get on. 

View On SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The Finis Rival 2.0 has a unique design with a denser but lightweight fabric consisting of 44% elastane, 41% polyamide, and 15% polyester. I’ve also found the Rival 2.0’s material to be very durable, lasting the test of time.

One of the critical features of the Rival 2.0 is its Shield Tech Fabric. This fabric retains tiny amounts of water, effectively creating a shield-like effect for reduced drag and friction in the water. This will assist you in swimming faster and creating a smooth breaststroke glide at the front of your stroke.

What makes the FINIS Rival 2.0 particularly good for breaststroke swimmers is its precise focus on range of motion and flexibility while racing. The Rival 2.0 features flexible hip panels. These are essentially single-layer panels on the inner tights allowing for an increased range of motion in the legs ensuring you can execute each breaststroke kick fully with maximal power output.

Additionally, the fabric is designed to move with your body, further guaranteeing good movement and power with every stroke you take.

The last aspect I want to cover is the suit’s hip-lift technology. This technology uses innovative seams on the back of the legs to lock the swimmer into a perfect body position and to provide compression, creating a powerful snapback effect with every breaststroke kick. 

FINIS Rival 2.0 Tech Suit

Sizing: The men’s suit is available in a standard waist version with a slightly higher waisted design allowing for additional core and lower-back stabilization while swimming. Women’s suits are available in open- and closed-back versions. In terms of fit, the suit sits comfortably but can initially be hard to get on.

Cons: I have no complaints. I should mention, however, that I’ve heard some female swimmers complaining that the women’s Rival 2.0 can be a nightmare to get on.

In Closing: FINIS hasn’t always been the most well-known swimming brand but has come to prove themselves over the years as being a leader in swimming innovation and technology- and the Rival 2.0 is a testament to that. This is a great tech suit with some exceptional features for breaststroke swimmers.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 44% elastane, 41% polyamide, 15% polyester.
  • Compression: High Compression.
  • Drag Reduction: Shield Tech Proprietary Fabric.
  • Hip-Lift: Hip-Lift Hamstring Seams.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted; Flexible hip-panels.
  • Price Range: Top range.
  • Our Rating: 10/10.

8. Mizuno Sonic GX V Tech Suit

The Sonic GX V is the latest tech suit released by Mizuno, and it packs some excellent performance-enhancing features. Apart from being a great tech suit, the Mizuno Sonic GX V also has built-in technology that makes it well suited for breaststroke swimming. It comes in a Sprinter and Multi-Racer option, ensuring it’s perfect for all breaststroke swimmers and events.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The Mizuno Sonic GX V has multiple features making it ideal for fast breaststroke swimming. It presents inner compression panels for power, good mobility, a hydrodynamic design, and a range of features creating a hip-lifting effect in the water- vital for breaststroke swimming.

Most Compressive Tech Suit
Mizuno GX-Sonic V Tech Suit

Quick summary: the GX Sonic V is a very compressive tech suit optimal for all strokes. The ST variation is ideal for 50 and 100 events, and the MR variation for 200 to 400/500 events.

Features include highly water-repellent fabric and taped seams for drag reduction, dual-layering for buoyancy, and sonic line X taping for hip elevation and kick support. This tech suit is also very durable.

The main downside is that the suit is uncomfortable to wear and hard to put on.  

Buy Now on SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The Mizuno Sonic GX V has a slightly different design featuring a different fabric structure for the main body and its panels. 

The entire suit is designed using Mizuno’s own special Sonic Light Ribtex Fabric, of which the main body consists of 65% polyamide and 35% elastane while the panels feature 66% polyamide and 34% elastane. This design aspect allows for more flexibility around the legs.

Compression is provided by inner panels and will vary depending on the suit variation. The ST (Sprinter) variation will offer higher compression levels, while the MR (Multi-racer) variation will be less compressive and more flexible. If you mainly swim 50 and 100 breaststroke, I’d recommend the ST variation, while if your focus is on 200 breaststroke and possibly IMs, the MR will be the better option.

The Sonic GX V features a flat concept design engineered to increase your hip elevation and buoyancy while you swim. This helps optimize your body position for reduced drag and enforces an optimal breaststroke kick.

Additionally, Sonic Line X taping further supports both the up- and down kick, increasing the hip-lifting and snapback effect throughout your kick cycle for reduced drag and increased power exertion from the legs.

In terms of drag reduction, the Mizuno Sonic GX V features water-repellent fabric for decreased friction and an enhanced breaststroke glide. At the same time, low-profile taped seams also reduce drag by optimizing hydrodynamics and cutting down on the surface area of your tech suit.

Mizuno Sonic GX V Tech Suit

Sizing: The Mizuno Sonic GX V is available in a single option for men and women, namely a standard waist jammer and an open-back kneeskin. The fit will depend on which variation you get- the ST being more compressive and harder to get on, while the MR will be less compressive and more flexible.

Cons: In terms of the suit’s actual design, I am delighted with what Mizuno has achieved with the Sonic GX V. My main complaint, however, isn’t tech suit related- but instead that the suit doesn’t come with a nice carry pouch such as with Arena. FINIS and TYR tech suits.

In Closing: The Mizuno Sonic GX V tech suit is an excellent all-around tech suit for breaststroke swimmers with a unique design and more customization as you can pick between which variation is best suited to you. The suit also comes in at a slightly more affordable price than some other flagship tech suits.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: Body: 65% polyamide, 35% elastane; Panels: 66% polyamide, 34% elastane.
  • Compression: Inner compression panels (varies ST and MR).
  • Drag Reduction: Water-repellent; taped seams.
  • Hip-Lift: Flat concept design; Sonic Line X Taping.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted (varies ST and MR).
  • Price Range: Top range.
  • Our Rating: 10/10.

9. FINIS Vapor Pro Tech Suit

Now that we’ve covered all of the flagship model tech suits, I want to take the time to go over a few more mid-range and budget options. One of which is the FINIS Vapor Pro tech suit. This is another versatile mid-range tech suit option ideal for breaststrokers and packed with some solid features.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The FINIS Vapor Pro is suitable for breaststroke swimming due to its highly flexible design combined with good compression. It also features some other excellent features that will decrease your drag and help with the breaststroke glide.

FINIS Vapor Pro Tech Suit

Quick Summary: The FINIS Vapor Pro is a great mid-range tech suit. This suit is highly versatile, making it a suitable option for all strokes and events.

The Vapor Pro features a lightweight design, flexible muscle compression, dual hamstring panels, hydrophobic coating, welded seam technology, and premium silicone edges.

This is a mid-range suit, so it will inevitably cut back on some high-end features.

View On SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The FINIS Vapor Pro has a simple and practical design. The suit features a makeup of 80% polyamide and 20% elastane with a thinner, lightweight fabric that still packs some good durability and provides compression and flexibility.

Similar to the budget FINIS Fuse discussed earlier, the Vapor Pro also features flexible muscle compression providing optimal compression for enhanced power exertion, blood flow, and activation without restricting your range of motion in the water. 

The fabric is also designed for maximum muscle efficiency by allowing muscles to fully contract and relax as you move through the different parts of your stroke cycle. Furthermore, the suit features dual paneling on the back of the legs for a hip-lifting effect and enhanced body position while swimming breaststroke. 

In terms of drag reduction, the FINIS Vapor Pro presents a hydrophobic coating to create a water-repellent effect for improved buoyancy and reduced drag and friction as you swim, both increasing speed and allowing for a long glide. 

Welded seam technology also contributes to reduced drag by incorporating hydrodynamic bonded seams throughout the suit. Additionally, watertight silicone edges help to seal water out of your suit for more buoyancy while keeping your suit positioned in place.

Sizing: The FINIS Vapor Pro is available in a standard waist jammer for men and an open- and closed-back kneeskin for women. The Vapor Pro has a comfortable fit and is easy to get on. If you are familiar with FINIS suits, you should go with the same size as the Rival series suits or one size up from the budget FINIS Fuse. Else, just refer to the size charts.

Cons: I know this is the section where I should be pointing out the flaws of this suit, but I can’t- because there simply are none. For the price, the FINIS Rival 2.0 is a great overall tech suit without any compromise. 

The only real downside is that it doesn’t have the highest quality of everything. Although it’s excellent overall- especially for the price- it lacks some of the features found in flagship suits. Examples include multiple higher-end fabrics and hamstring taping, which are features you’ll find in the Rival 2.0 and other more expensive flagship suits.

In Closing: The FINIS Vapor Pro is an excellent suit for the price. It has many high-end features and provides a superior overall design that will be ideal for breaststroke swimmers. If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper that still has some high-end features packed in, then this is a good option.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 80% polyamide, 20% elastane.
  • Compression: Flexible muscle compression technology.
  • Drag Reduction: Hydrophobic coating, welded seam technology, silicone edges.
  • Hip-Lift: Dual hamstring pannels.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted.
  • Price Range: Mid range.
  • Our Rating: 8/10.

10. Arena R-Evo One Tech Suit

The Arena R-Evo One is an excellent budget/ mid-range tech suit. Not only is the R-Evo One a great way to save some money, but it also presents good features to boost your swimming performance. Additionally, the suit is versatile and will be optimal for all breaststroke events.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: In its essence, the Arena R-Evo One is a simpler mid-range tech suit- yet still very versatile. I like it for breaststroke swimmers because it has great flexibility and comfort while still providing good compression and drag reduction technology. 

Arena R-Evo One Tech Suit

Quick Summary: The Arena R-Evo One is a popular mid-range tech suit ideal for all strokes and events.

The suit presents a flexible and lightweight construction while drag is reduced using a single fabric design, sole bonded seam, and water-repellent coating. Additionally, the fine-thread, high-density fabric provides muscular compression.

Keep in mind, this is a mid-range suit, so don’t expect the features to be quite the same as that of a high-end suit.

View On SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The R-Evo One has a thinner and lightweight fabric consisting of 78% polyamide and 22% elastane. The suit features a single-fabric design, similar to the newer flagship Arena Carbon Air 2 tech suit. There is also only one single bonded seam at the back of the suit, eliminating the traditional side- and upper body seams. 

All of this allows for good range of motion, agility, and reduced drag in the water, ensuring you can swim fast breaststroke without any restrictions.

Moreover, the fine-thread, high-density weave of the R-Evo One fabric allows for advanced hydrodynamics and firm compression and creates a water-repellent effect. These features work in unity to help you swim faster by reducing drag and providing increased power exertion for explosive breaststroke swimming.

Sizing: The Arena R-Evo one comes in a standard waist version for men and an open- and closed-back version for women. Additionally, there are boys’ and girl’s versions available for younger swimmers. The suit is quite comfortable to wear for long periods, and getting it on shouldn’t be too hard either.

Cons: The R-Evo One is a good tech suit overall. However, as we’ve discussed already, you should remember that the cheaper suits tend to lack high-end features found in the flagship models. Although they’ll still provide outstanding performance, you shouldn’t have the same expectations from them.

In Closing: Overall, I think the Arena R-Evo One will make a solid option for many breaststroke swimmers. This should be a nice suit for age-group swimmers or anyone looking to save some money as the suit sits between the budget- and mid-range price point.

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 78% polyamide, 22% elastane.
  • Compression: High density fabric.
  • Drag Reduction: Hydrodynamics, water-repellent, single fabric, single seam.
  • Hip-Lift: Buoyant fabric.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted.
  • Price Range: Mid range.
  • Our Rating: 7/10.

11. Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 Tech Suit

The Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 is, without a doubt, one of the most popular budget tech suits currently available. What’s great is that it’s very versatile, making it optimal for all breaststroke events. It’s also one of the few suits permitted for 12 and under swimmers (in the USA). The Powerskin ST 2.0 doesn’t have quite the same quality as the FINIS Fuse but is also quite a bit cheaper.

What Makes This Tech Suit Good For Breaststroke: The Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 has a flexible design, decent compression, and basic drag reduction technology. In general, this is a versatile suit and makes a good fit for breaststroke and many other events.

Top 12 and Under Pick
Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 Tech Suit

Quick summary: the Arena ST 2.0 is a very popular tech suit approved for 12 and under use. It makes an excellent fit for all strokes and events. Additionally, it has a budget price.

Features of this tech suit include a lightweight, moderately compressive, and ergonomic design, flatlock sewn seams, silicone leg grips, and complete freedom of movement. The suit is also available in various fun colors.

Downsides include fewer premium fabrics and lacking durability.

Buy Now on SwimOutlet

Design And Features: The Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 is very comfortable with a slightly denser but still lightweight fabric. The suit is fabricated using 71% polyamide and 29% elastane and has a flexible design allowing for unrestricted range of motion in the water. 

The Arena Powerskin ST 2.0’s ergonomic construction provides muscle compression and core support and improves your body position by creating a hip-lifting effect. These features help you to swim faster by ensuring a powerful stroke and reduced drag.

Sewn flatlock seams mend fabrics together and provide some extra muscle support. Lastly, the suit also features a water-repellent coating on the exterior which helps to reduce drag and friction further.

Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 Tech Suit

Sizing: As mentioned, the Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 is very comfortable and can be worn over long periods. The suit is available in a standard waist jammer and an open-back kneeskin and also comes in boys’ and girls’ versions for younger swimmers.

Cons: In my opinion, the Arena Powerskin ST 2.0 has one main drawback, namely durability. This suit doesn’t tend to last nearly as long as some of the more premium suits and will start to stretch out and hold water after only a few meets. The suit also lacks many of the high-end features. That said, it’s also much cheaper, so this is to be somewhat expected.

In Closing: All in all, the Powerskin ST 2.0 is one of the best tech suits for the price. If you are on a tight budget, it’ll be a great option. It’s also a nice suit for younger age-group swimmers and swimmers who want to have an extra racing suit to use in practice or at smaller meets. 

Tech Suit Specifications-

  • Main Breaststroke Events: 50, 100, 200.
  • Fabric Composition: 71% polyamide, 29% elastane.
  • Compression: Ergonomic construction; flatlock seams.
  • Drag Reduction: Water-repellent coating; hydrodynamics.
  • Hip-Lift: Ergonomic construction.
  • Mobility: Unrestricted.
  • Price Range: Budget.
  • Our Rating: 6/10.

Interested in some more tech suits? Consider checking out our other tech suit articles-

Why you should invest in a breaststroke tech suit: some of the physical benefits

We’ve already gone over many of the benefits of tech suits just by looking at the designs and features of the suits mentioned above. But let’s have a bit of a more in-depth look at a few of these features and benefits.

1. Muscular compression for faster breaststroke swimming

All tech suits offer some form of compression. Some slightly more and some slightly less.

Compression is a great feature to have in a tech suit since it allows for increased power output and optimal muscle activation. Compression also supports your muscles and locks them together so that they can provide the most optimal physical output. Additionally, it allows blood to circulate through your muscles at a higher rate. This blood will then resupply your muscles with oxygen and nutrients, while also removing lactic acid and other toxins.

Ultimately, this will allow you to swim faster for longer while racing, improving your swim times and helping you to smash PBs, win golds, and break records.

2. Increased stroke rate and stroke length while swimming

A study conducted by the Faculty of Sport Sciences at the University of Rouen in France looked at the effects of tech suits on factors such as buoyancy, passive torque, glide, and arm coordination.

In total 15 elite French swimmers volunteered to participate in the study. The final conclusion of the study showed evidence that tech suits had the effect of improving glide and reducing drag while swimming.

This essentially created conditions where swimmers were able to produce faster stroke rates, ultimately improving their performance in the water.

3. Tech suits are built to decrease drag

Tech suits are designed and constructed to reduce drag and resistance in the water as much as possible. Reduced drag will result in higher swimming speeds and better times. 

One of the main ways tech suits reduce drag is by optimizing your body position so that you sit higher in the water. A higher body position will only allow you to move through the water more efficiently and with less drag.

Tech suits also decrease drag by using water-resistant fabrics and coating. This stops the suit from absorbing water which can weight you down. Additionally, it allows for lower friction by sliding water molecules from the fabric of your suit.

Another way tech suits reduce drag is by using lightweight fabrics and designs allowing you to stay agile in the water. Many suits also remove seams allowing them to be like a second-layer of skin, which will uiltmately keep you smooth and fast while racing.

If you are interested in learning more about the physical enhancements of tech suits, as well as some of the mental benefits that come along then I suggest you check out my article- Do tech suits make a difference?

Tips to make your breaststroke tech suit last longer

As you would have noticed by now, tech suits aren’t cheap. Even the budget suits still cost a bit. Therefore, its important to know how to take proper care of your tech suit so you can maximize its lifespan. Here are a few tips-

1. Save your tech suit for your important meets

I recommend only wearing your breaststroke tech suit, when gold, a really important record or a PB is on the line. Don’t wear your tech suit unnecessarily. These suits wear out a little more with every race, so save them for the big ones!

2. Take your time when putting on your tech suit and do it properly

I am very aware that tech suits are tight and uncomfortable but don’t try to get them on or off as fast as possible. They were never designed to be fitted quickly.

When putting on your tech suit (or taking it off) as fast as you can, you make yourself vulnerable to a tear. Rather take your time when changing in and out of your suit. Making sure you are dried off properly before hand also greatly helps. Additionally you can consider using baby powder to get rid of moisture and to help slide the suit over your skin.

If you need some guidance for putting on a tech suit, consider reading this article.

3. Don’t hang up your tech suit

When drying your tech suit I recommend laying it out on a towel on a flat surface and allowing it plenty of time to air dry. (Don’t place your suit in direct sunlight as that can damage the fibers). If you hang the suit up it can result in stretching.

Stretching will make your suit looser and will result in the loss of some of the compression, which is one of the most valuable features provided by tech suits.

4. Rinse it out with cold water

The high concentration of chlorine and other chemicals in the pool can damage your tech suit if you don’t rinse it out. When you’re done racing for the day it’s always a smart idea to rinse out your breaststroke tech suit with some cold water.

It doesn’t take much effort and it certainly goes a long way in increasing the lifespan of your suit.

5. Wear pants and shorts over them between races

Unless you are planning on taking your tech suit off and putting it back on in-between every race, it’s probably a good idea to wear pants or shorts over them.

This will prevent your tech suit from unnecessary damage or getting caught on something and tearing.

If you are interested in more tips to make your breaststroke tech suit last longer, you can check out my article on the topic by clicking here.

Swim Faster with a New Breaststroke Tech Suit

Whether you like it or not, tech suits have become a huge part of competitive swimming. They not only play a role in enhancing physical performance but there are also psychological benefits in wearing a tech suit.

Many professional-level swimmers can swim up to a second or two faster in a 100m race while wearing a tech suit.

It is important to remember that tech suits aren’t the only thing determining your success in the pool. Tech suits enhance performance, they don’t create performance. 

You still have to show up at training every day and work hard. These suits aren’t somehow magically going to make up for you skipping swim practice or not working hard enough.

Photo of author
I am Benjamin, a competitive swimmer with over a decande of experience in the sport of swimming. I also hold certifications in Exercise Science and Nutrition. I am very passionate about competitive swimming and love sharing everything I have learned about the sport. I specialize in swimming butterfly and my favorite event is the 100m butterfly with the 50m and 200m fly closely following.

A Cheat Sheet for Creating the Perfect Swimming Workout and Routine

Download this FREE cheat sheet to create the perfect swimming workout and routine. Learn how to structure your swim workout and enjoy 9 example workouts, ranging from beginner to advanced.

Swim Workout Cheat Sheet
SwimCompetitive-SwimOutlet Bottom Banner 2
SwimCompetitive-SwimOutlet Bottom Banner 2

Related Guides

5 Best Swim Caps for Long Hair- The Expert Guide

Are you tired of struggling to bundle all of your hair into a regular swim cap? Is this the third swim cap you have ripped this month? Do you dread ...

7 Best Swim Shampoos and Conditioners to Remove Chlorine

If you’re a swimmer, you’re likely familiar with dry, straw-like, and brittle chlorine-damaged hair. Perhaps, embarrassingly, others may have commented on the chlorine smell of your curls before. Similarly, if ...

Complete Swimming Equipment List for Every Type of Swimmer

If you want to maximize your performance in the water, reach your swimming goals, and ensure your competitors don’t outswim you, then it’s essential to have the right swimming equipment.  ...

8 Best Pull Buoys for Swimming- The Expert Review

Are you always falling behind in training? How about in competition? Would you like to fix that?  Are you looking to improve your pulling technique and power, build upper body ...