TYR Aquapel Tight

[Chris]

Mailsports link - http://www.mailsports.co.uk/mens/performance/product~38

Price (as at 16 September 2006) - £65.95

Manufacturer description
About Aquapel™ . . . . . .
FABRIC: Constructed from a unique Dupont T-152 Lycra® blend, the Aquapel fabric undergoes a series of state-of-the-art treatments. First, powerful rollers this and lighten the fabric while retaining its strength, density and recovery. A thermal heat application then sears it to create a silky-smooth, flattened finish. Finally, the fabric is coated with a water-repellant, hydrophobic finish. Combined, these treatments minimize drag and micro-turbulences while improving hydrodynamic efficiency and glide time. All silhouettes feature high stitch Flatlock construction with hyper-soft power thread.
COMPRESSION: Aquapel’s modular strength provides advanced compression dynamics for a tight, uniform fit. This is made possible by high-density power and memory technology that contains body mass while improving muscle performance and recovery. In addition, the compression attributes prevent both the swimmer’s skin and Aquapel™ fabric from undulating and wrinkling during motion. This creates a consistently smooth, flat surface that dramatically improves fluid dynamics.
TURBULENCE CONTROL: Bisecting hydro-dynamic flow panels on the chest and rear have been designed to provide two vital velocity enhancements. First is the creation of a turbulence buffer zone between the body and the water that improves glide efficiency. Second, the engineered panels are strategically positioned to channel water away from the most turbulent areas of the body. Chest and rear turbulence is minimized and balanced to increase the laminar flow of water. Documented flume testing has demonstrated that Aquapel™ reduces drag by 6% in comparison to identical silhouette Antron®/Lycra® type 274B suits. Test results were calculated at 100 meter racing velocities.


Swimclub.co.uk review
(conducted by Chris)

Now I'm not going to lie to you ... you all know I'm a slave to the Fastskins, but, I have an open mind and I was willing to give the TYR Aquapel Tight a fair chance to prove itself.

Mailsports provided me with a navy blue Aquapel Tight for the purpose of this review, and unlike some of the other colour schemes, the stitching on the front of the Tight is also navy blue (no contrasting stitching here.) There is however a white elasticated band that runs over the bum of the Tight about an inch from the top. As its' name might suggest to some, the Tight is tight! Very tight! I wear a size 32 Fastskin Legskin, and this suit was definitely more difficult to put on than a Speedo suit. I don't think the elasticated white band makes getting this suit on any easier, as it is slightly less elastic than the Lycra material of the suit.
Disclaimer - I am not a small skinny swimmer. I have big muscley legs that do not enjoy being wrapped tightly in Lycra. This may account for something!

My chosen event to test the Aquapel Tight was the 100m I.M. during the Beau Sejour Barracudas S.C. NRG Series - our year-long club series. Whilst it was a short race (more so for some than others!) it gave me the opportunity to wea the Aquapel Tight for all 4 strokes.

What can I say .... I felt the characteristic extra buoyancy offered to the legs when wearing a legskin/tight. I didn't feel that my movements were really inhibited (although some people don't like swimming breaststroke with this sort of suit, I do!) and even though it wasn't a moral-boosting, extremely rare, limited edition Fastskin, I swam ok!


Summary

With a current price lower than the equivalent (and much more common) Fastskin legskin, the TYR Aquapel Tight does exactly what you'd expect it to. It is one of cheaper racing suits available and still offers the advantages found when wearing the other racing suits, i.e. a more horizontal racing position and that "fast feeling" in the water without having to shave your legs!


SwimClub.co.uk Rating - 8 out of 10.

[Chris]

Review now posted.

Chris