I just took up swimming last spring preparing for my first year doing triathlons. I bought 2 identical pairs of swim shorts (black Nike stretchy ones like bike shorts) so that I would always have a clean pair ready to wear. I used both pairs about equally for about 3 months, maybe 1-2 swims per week (1 swim per pair per week). Then, I noticed that along the back seam and where the front reinforcement liner was, the “shine” of the fabric had disappeared. On closer inspection, the material was actually semi-transparent…like the fabric itself had broken down. I returned both pairs to the store, where I exchanged them for 2 new pairs. One of the new pairs was from Nike again, but this time it had a tag attached reading “chlorine resistant”. The second pair was from a different manufacturer (Speedo).
Fast-forward 3 more months…again the Nike fabric has disintegrated in the same areas. I have not been using the Speedos as much, but no wear is yet apparent.
Questions: is this fabric breakdown expected? I rinse the shorts whenever I use them, and wash them “occasionally”. It seems the breakdown becomes most apparent after a washing cycle, little flakes (which actually look white, even though the shorts are black) peel off from the fabric in the affected areas. I don’t notice it until the next time I am going to wear the shorts. Why is the wear only happening in the described areas, not all over?
Are tri shorts (specifically Pearl Izumi) OK to use in the pool? Will they have the same problem?
The breakdown is absolutely expected and totally typical - chlorine is not a nice material to fabric, hair, etc. (especially neoprene, don’t bring your wetsuit into the pool EVER). Im surprised you were able to exchange it.
Speedo now has a line of “endurance” materials that stay good for quite some time - Ive used my shorts 4-7 times a week in the pool for almost a year now and havent had any trouble. They dont have the flexibility of typical shorts, which is why they dont make everything out of that material.
Tri shorts are typically made of the same material as your Nike swim shorts, and will degrade as well.
yes lycra based/type swim suits will discentigrate(sp?) quick.
Go to a nylon suit - usually the water polo ones keep the longest.
I have become addicted to the Dolphin brand “ugly” suit - they are quite ugly my favorite is my pink and purple suite - but they last a long time up to a year
FWIW, DeSoto wetsuits don’t breakdown in chlorine. Have used mine in pools for about 4 years now. They even state that on their website that its ok to use their wetsuits in the pool. They must use a different bonding process than other that breakdown in chorline.
Re: Swimsuits. I use the Speedo brand tri suit and a $5 speedo (banana hammick) under it. The top suit seems to last longer with a cheap speedo under it.
just double up. when I used to swim in high school, we had guys wearing old worn out suits on top of suits all the time. I even had one with a big tear in it.
I’m betting the suits were/are a nylon/lycra blend. Try something made of 100% polyester. I’ve been swimming in a polyester brief for ~1 year now and it still looks as good as new. I’ve also seen polyester shorts if that’s your preference.