Competitive Swimwear Sizing Guide
Selecting the correct swimsuit size can be challenging, especially for athletes new to competitive swimming and fitness swimming. Sizing swimwear using only waist and chest measurements will get you headed in the right direction, but this is only the beginning.
Read on for Kiefer’s advice on how to get a great fit from your swimwear.
Swimwear Sizing Challenges
Generally speaking, swimsuit sizing charts provide excellent guidance. Nonetheless, two challenges remain, regardless of size chart accuracy:
- Swimmers may be unfamiliar with how to take measurements.
- Athletes may be unfamiliar with what a good fit  feels like.
How To Take Proper Swimsuit Measurements
Taking fresh measurements and matching them to a swimsuit size chart is the best approach for a great fit.
Here are some guidelines for making proper swimwear measurements:
- Don’t take your own measurement – ask a friend to measure you.
- Take measurements on bare skin!
- Bonus Tip: If this isn’t possible, adjust measurements to remove measuring overstatements caused by bulk from clothing.
- Use a soft tape to measure. No rulers – no metal tape measures – soft tape only!
- Bonus Tip: The tape should lay flat, without indenting skin. Over-tightening distorts measurements.
- Extra Bonus Tip: If a soft tape measure isn’t an option, use non-stretching string – and carefully match the string length to a reliable measurement tool.
- Warning For Guys: Gentleman, your measurements are less challenging – but be careful! Remember:
- Measure 1″ below your navel to determine your waist size. Waist measurement equate to the suit size, so a 32″ waist should order a size 32 suit.
- Do not use the pants size shortcut! Pants size is not an accurate equivalent, because it is often chosen by the look or style of the fit, instead of an actual measurement. Save yourself some frustration and measure your waist.
Chest & Hips – Special Swimsuit Sizing Situations
All bodies are different, and women with greater variations between chest and hip size may want to consider downsizing or upsizing as follows:
- Small Chest / Large Hips: Consider upsizing above chest measurement guidelines.
- Big Chest / Small Hips: Consider downsizing below chest measurement guidelines.
What Not To Do:
- Don’t reference a size from an old swimsuit!
- Old suits can be stretched out and will not index your current sizing needs.
- Department store swimsuits and fashion swimwear brands are not designed or cut to fit like fitness swimwear.
- Sizes can vary across brands & suit cuts can change over time.
- Don’t let someone else order for you! The fit of your swimwear is a personal preference – don’t let someone’s speculation about sizing get in the way of basic swimwear sizing strategies.
- Warning For Guys – Don’t Use Your Pants Waist Size! Because pants size is often chosen to achieve a certain fit style, translating it your swimwear waist size isn’t recommended.
What Does A Great Swimsuit Fit Feel Like?
For best results and to maximize the life of your swimwear, Kiefer recommends that swimsuits provide a tight & supportive fit.
For swimmers that are skeptical about the benefits of tight-fitting swimwear, we offer the following encouragement:
- The suit you are trying on is as tight as it’s ever going to be and will loosen over time.
- The feel of the suit will change once you are in the water.
- Bag = Drag! Any bag or wrinkles will cause unwanted drag during your race or workout.
- Swimsuits are more than a means to cover your skin. Like running shoes, competitive swimwear is a piece of sports equipment. And like shoes that are too large, wearing an over-sized swimsuit will cause discomfort and hinder athletic performance.
Fit Differences Between Lycra vs Polyester Swimwear Material
- Polyester material has a more tighter, more compressive fit and wears longer. This does not mean you should upsize for poly, but swimmers should consider sizing up if on the cusp on a larger size.
- Lycra suits:
- Have more stretch, but should still have a snug and supportive fit.
- May need to be replaced semi-annually
Jammers
It’s important to remember that Jammer cuts have changed over the last few years. Although Jammers used to fit lower on the waist, more current cuts have a higher waist. Here are some extra jammer fitting tips to help you determine what a great fit feels and looks like:
- Jammers should be sufficiently snug at both waist and knee, to make getting 2 fingers under the fabric somewhat challenging.
- Waist fit rules! Don’t worry about the leg cuff height, as this will vary for different body types.
- Remember, your waist measurement equates to the suit size, so a 32″ waist should order a size 32 suit.
How Can I Tell If My Swimsuit Is Too Big Or Small?
Big – a swimsuit is too big if:
- Suit material is wrinkled or bagging.
- For women, swimwear is too big if:
- Scooping at neck occurs when holding a “streamline” position.
- Suit straps can be raised to ear height.
- The open park of the suit back (below the intersection of the straps) lifts off the skin.
Small – a swimsuit is too small if:
- It restricts or limits athletic range of motion.
- Ouch – it hurts!
- It limits your circulatory system – blood flow and/or breathing!
- Putting it on is a struggle.
- It causes excessive muffin topping anywhere on the body.
- Your chest is spilling out of suit.
Whoa! Did you get all that?
I hope this helps you when considering sizing for your next swimsuit. Please share your comments – or any advice you have for swimwear fitting.
Do you have questions?
We’d be happy to help, just let us know!
See you at the pool,
Robin
About Robin Kiefer
Performance Gear For Swimmers. Today Kiefer is a multifaceted company but still purely focused on serving the aquatic industry. We have expertise in engineering world class products like our custom starting blocks and racing lanes for all levels of aquatic facilities. We serve the lifeguard and aquatic safety and rescue industry with a full line of products that absolutely perform when you most need them to, and we serve the competitive swim business with the products needed to swim at the highest level.
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Really helps…thank you…i would prefer to try on a suit, but no one around carries elite racing swimwear…St George, Ut…if im going to spend between $300 to $500… I want to try it on…i bought a kneehi made in japan and lucked out….At under $40… And it fit perfectly…
I’m glad it worked out – as you noticed, sizing somethings requires a leap of faith – but good measurements shorten the leap!
We’ll be following up with an article on “tech suit” sizing in the near future.
Thanks for your comments! See you at the pool…
You didn’t tell how to go from measurement in inches to swimming suit size!
Oops, quite right! Generally speaking, men’s waist measurements for men equate to the suit size, so a 32″ waist should order a size 32 suit. Women’s size conversions are much trickier – use the size chart assigned to each swimsuit for the best fit. thanks
Thanks for this Robin! I am short but with a very long torso. I’m trying my first poly suits as I am doing more water exercise. I finally found a size the gets on ok but I feel kind of “compressed” in the torso. Is this normal? Can I expect a poly suit to stretch over time? Is there a brand known to have longer torsos? Thanks!
Yes, it is very normal to feel compressed in Poly, and in the torso in particular. Polyester swimwear will stretch slightly and gradually over time. I haven’t seen Poly suits in a long torso, but Lycra Speedo Ultrabacks are available in long sizes.
I am trying to decide between a size 30 and a size 32 nike powerback tank swimsuit. I am a lap swimmer and want a polyester swimsuit. My shoulders seem to be a little red and my shoulders seem to ache a bit. It is a new suit so I don’t know if it will stretch. The 32 is more comfortable in the shoulders but seems to crinkle a little in the butt. I am a 35.5 bust, 29 waist, 36 hip, and torso is about 60.5
Checking with my coworkers; in the meantime, take it easy on those shoulders! thanks
Hi, i checked with Stacey Kiefer; she said that Nike suits traditionally run a little large. If you’re on the fence about sizing up or down, she recommends sizing down to the smaller size. Plus, the suit will stretch over time. hope that helps! let us know how it goes…
I just bought a Enduro Super, I haven’t used it yet. But I tried it on and it feels like my shoulders are being pulled down making me want to hunch over. Is that normal?
You bought an endurance fabric suit with a superproback? Endurance fabric will be very taught and compressive, but it should not limit your athletic motion. If the suit has the wrong fit it cold limit your performance- and give you a suit burn on your shoulders… please let me know what suit you bought specifically. thanks
The brand is the finals and it is an enduro stretch solids v-back.
For my school swim team I ordered a suit that is one size too small. I cant replace it or get a new one so I’m stuck with it..Its a polyester and its really tight because its supposed to be for swim meets only. What should I do? I was thinking I would just wear it in the water and wait for it to loosen up?If so, how long will it take for it to get a little bigger?
Poly stakes a while to loosen; it’s designed to hold it’s fit. It will loosen eventually, but it could be a tight squeeze for a while. I’d check around with other swimmers on the team to see if any want to size down. Best of luck!
I have heard from a couple of people that if your finger can fit through any opening of the suit it may be too big since water can get in there. is this true?
Any bagging will reduce performance, so the 1 finger test could be a could determinant for the fit of a racing suit. if fitness swimming (and comfort) is the primary application for your swimwear, a less stringent approach is ok; but no bagging, for sure. ultimately, you want to practice full range of motion across all the mechanics of turns and swim strokes to assess the fit, to make sure water isn’t being acquired and trapped. you’ll be able to feel when you’re dragging along extra water- and it will annoy most swimmers!
Hoping you can shed some light: I recently ordered Size 28 jammers for my son who is a competitive swimmer-replacing the pair he has because they are “too short”. He is 13, very tall with long legs (36in inseam) and doesn’t like that this new pair also fits about 2 inches above his knee. I also think they are too tight (getting a finger into the waist is nearly impossible) but he says they are fine. Is there a “proper” length or is it luck of draw on the manufacturer and body type? I’ve tried looking for a length in the descriptions but no luck there either. Any help would be appreciated.
That’s a great question. Generally, jammers are very long on smaller boys – and sit right at the knee. However, with a 36″ inseam- your son is never going to fall into the “smaller” category.
As you know jammer lengths increase with waist size, not in proportion to leg length. Jammers will sit higher above the knee for older kids and adults; especially long, lean swimmers.
Kiefer jammers measures as follow:
size 28 – inseam 7.87″ outseam 15″
size 30 – inseam 8 1/4″ outseam 15 3/4″
In any case, your son will know if the fit is overly tight. Tight-fitting suits are preferred, unless they’re limited athletic movement.
In the meantime, a jammer that falls higher on your son’s leg just might be the reality of his body type – but I don’t think it will hold back his performance.
If we hear about longer cut jammers, we will definitely let you know!
best of luck!
Is it ok if jammers are tight on shoulders and chests ?
Our son is getting ready for his second year swimming so we’re still pretty new at this. He hit a growth spurt and changed overall body proportions. He needs new jammers, size 26.5 waist. The problem we had when he tried on a few suits today was that they were all too short in the waist. Rather than the traditional low waist jammers fit that allows the swimmer to bend over without exposing themselves, every suit showed his rear end. He’s not interested in showing ‘plumbers crack’ every time he’s working out or on the starting block! They were very low in the front too. Are there any boys suits sold in “long torso” or “tall” sizes that will give another two inches or so of coverage?
I just had a thought. Are men’s jammers a bit taller in the waist? Do they come in size 26 – 28?
If your son’s waist is a 26.5 he may be more comfortable in a jammer size 28. Jammers are offered in a size range that jumps by 2’s – 26, 28, 30, etc. Unfortunately, jammers are not offered in long sizes. A Kiefer, Speedo, TYR or Dolfin jammer should all supply adequate coverage.
Great article. And although you were very clear about mens’ measurements, “Waist measurement equate to the suit size”, I just want to be clear that even though a brief is worn at the hips, which may be wider, you still go by the man’s waist size?
With the elasticity of briefs and jammers I imagine that the measurement would be just fine despite hips often being wider than the waist. The measurement advice Robin gave for 1″ below the navel gives a compromise of sorts.
do usa olympic swimmers wear swimming shoes when swimming. My daughter swims, and she has a huge wort.
Some swimmers use shoes for added training intensity, but I don’t think it would prevent or cause warts. Swimming wouldn’t be the cause for that particular kind of skin issue.
I find it hard to find a swimsuit that doesn’t either cut my bum in half or bag around the chest. Is there a lesser evil?
Hi Sarah! Yes there is a lesser evil, you just haven’t found it yet, I wish I could tell you with certainty it’s brand A, B, C or D, but I can’t. Just keep trying different things and eventually you will find The One. Best of luck!
Hi!!! I have a 83cm waist and i just bought a new race suit size 12.
Im a guy btw
I have a classic coke-bottle shape, where my torso is considerably more slender than my hips. Is there a brand I should look at that best fits this sizing discrepancy? Two pieces have worked for me because the tops always roll up on me.
Elizabeth, perhaps a suit with a tie back could help with your sizing woes. There are several competitive suit makers that have them available and it makes them more adjustable than their solid back counterparts.
Is there any discussion about how small girls suits are today in the competitive swimming world? They are wearing them more like a Brazilian cut in the back. It it really inappropriate and setts the wrong message to younger female swimmers. Just curious if there are any articles you know of on the matter. Concerned parent.
Mika I haven’t discovered any active discussions on the topic, but as a parent I understand your concern. As a swimmer sometimes the different cuts are more comfortable for whatever reason to the individual swimmer. As a coach I am bothered by some of the current cut out styles because I have witnessed young females wearing them struggle with them staying in place while training and in general cover the bare spots with their hands when they are out of the water. All I can recommend is buy suits you and your swimmer are comfortable with.
My daughter just bought a speedo LZR elite 2 in a size 26. She says that was hard to get on but it “fits”, but According to the sizing guide she should be a 24. It also only took her 8 mins to get on while she’s dry. Should she get a 24.(her practice size is a 28-32)
Hi Jenna, unless I could see your daughter in the suit it would be hard for me to assess the fit. I recommend she consult her coach on the matter if she feels it isn’t quite right.
Im considering between a size 30 and 32 for TYR Durafast Elite Crosscutfit One Piece Swimsuit. I fit the measurements (for size 32) for chest and waist but not the hips and torso. I am a 32 chest, 25.5 waist, 31 hips, and 56 torso. Which size should I get?
Hi Zoie, if you prefer a tighter fit size down, if comfort is more your speed size up. In the end I’d attempt to try them on in person at a swim shop, but I realize that isn’t always possible. If you have a short torso but are bigger busted the 32 would probably be fine, however if you have a short torso and not so busty the 30 might be more appropriate. The torso length is a more important measurement than the hip.
Hi i ordered speedo mindover brief- power plus size 32 for training, my hip and waist are 38 and 34 and it suits perfectly according to speedo site. But they feel too compressive on thigh, i can see light red line when i wear them litle longer. Do you think i shoul exchange size to 34?
Nikola, the suit should be compressive and will leave marks on your skin after wearing it. I wouldn’t call that abnormal. If you are uncomfortable size up. I always purchase training suits in a comfortable size and technical suits in an uncomfortable size. The difference is the suits purpose. You want that compression in a racing scenario but don’t necessarily need it in a training one.
My little son needs jammers with a slightly shorter leg. Are there any styles from any brand that have just a few less inches?
Jenny check out Arena, we have a few left in stock, but they are an kind of the go between for jammers and briefs. https://www.kiefer.com/arena-men-s-carioca-short-products-2120.php
Hello I am looking at 34 & 36 size Speedo Jammers & I did the waist measurement as recommended & I’m a 35. I just started swimming in Pre-Masters lessons, so I’m also anticipating to lose a little more weight & waistline. The 34 has no wrinkles but the cuffs at bottom are a little tight. It’s snug but not painful to put on. The 36 fits well but has a few small wrinkles on left & right front below the waist. The 36 is 50%poly PBT/50 poly. The 34 is 78% Econyl recycled nylon/22% Lycra.Can you guide me on a choice? Thank You, Darren
Hi Darren, the 36 will stay more true to size because it is a poly blend. The 34 will loosen up much more quickly because it is nylon and lycra. Comparing the different materials in different sizes is a little like apples and oranges. If you anticipate loosing weight, and the 34 isn’t uncomfortable, I’d try that route but in the poly blend, plus it will last much longer.
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