My old man is still chugging along in the pool 4-5 days a week in his 70’s, but it occurred to me he might really enjoy the benefit of some shorts for his meager goals which are just getting some low stress cardio in between his3-4 days of tennis a week.
So here are my concerns for dad. Are these things as difficult to put on as a wetsuit as in super tight? Is he going to rip the hair off his legs every time? Will they last a year if they get used as much as he swims?
Thanks for any insight and feel free to recommend a low cost option or any make/models. Thanks
I have a pair of Zone 3 buoyancy shorts that I wear about once per week if I’m feeling a little lazy or my legs are zapped from a hard bike/run.
First off, they aren’t a night and day difference by any means. But they do help enough to be worth the cash IMO.
They are pretty tight, but not nearly as hard as putting on a wetsuit. More like jeans that have just been in the tumble dryer.
Putting them on with leg hair is a non issue, I only shave for races and never have a problem with them in this respect.
I wouldn’t worry about their longetivity, a quick rinse in the changing room showers at the end of a swim is all the care that I take of mine. I hang them inside out over a chair to dry and they’re good to go again in less than 24 hours.
Somebody else mentioned wearing jammers underneath, I’ve never done this but am always careful to tie the drawstring extra tight.
I’d say for your dad to just go with whichever he’s more comfortable with.
I’d recommend the Zone 3 model, but it’s the only one that I’ve ever used so couldn’t say how it compares to others out there.
Wow that is almost word for word my experience with the same product and application of it. Except that I do wear speedo’s underneath it as I like to do a little bit of swimming without the pants as a cool down.
Rokas are easy on/off and on 50 percent sale right now, a no-brainer! In fact, I’m going to do the same for my dad, appreciate the idea.
thanks for all the ideas and input guys.
i’m on the roka site…does we want the pro, elite or comp? thanks!
Excellent question. I went with the Comp because it’s cheap and I have a harder time seeing how performance matters for shorts like this. The more expensive shorts should be a little more flexible (and a little lower cut, too), with a more complex structure so slightly better fit, and more expensive neoprene though not sure that matters much, either. The prices are reasonably close on sale, at full price I don’t get the appeal of the expensive options.
The Roka Sim shorts go on and off as easy as any pair of shorts.
I like them but they are very low cut and don’t exactly give men much credit on the old boy department … super tight.
According to Roka, a higher cut worsened the water catching dynamic during flip turns. I, too, find the cut a bit low, and I bet the new models will try to tweak this via a higher cut but shaped to address the water scooping issue.
The Roka Sim shorts go on and off as easy as any pair of shorts.
I like them but they are very low cut and don’t exactly give men much credit on the old boy department … super tight.
According to Roka, a higher cut worsened the water catching dynamic during flip turns. I, too, find the cut a bit low, and I bet the new models will try to tweak this via a higher cut but shaped to address the water scooping issue.
I think they also overestimate the amount of drag men get from their privates if they need to squash them in that tight. It did actually cause me some ongoing discmfort for a couple if days after the swim so if any men are using them, and find them restrictive, try to ‘dress’ accordingly and get as comfortable as possible before entering the pool. I might try them again today, see if I have any more luck, if not then keep your eyes on the Classified section!
The Roka Sim shorts go on and off as easy as any pair of shorts.
I like them but they are very low cut and don’t exactly give men much credit on the old boy department … super tight.
Too tight and too low for me too. I had the top of the line model but later found out the lower priced model is cut more generous. I have no experience with the lower priced Roka shorts.
However the Zone 3 models work well for myself and are cut more for the average person than the super lean and fit individuals. The Blue Seventy models are between Roka and Zone 3 in regards to fit and design. I have no experience with the Desoto model.
