Ultimate Guide to Backstroke Tech Suits for 2024
In 2025, the competitive swimming landscape has seen a variety of tech suits engineered specifically to enhance backstroke performance. When it comes to choosing the best tech suits for backstroke swimmers, factors like fabric composition, compression, drag reduction, and flexibility are crucial. Tech suits help swimmers maintain optimal body position in the water, which is vital for backstroke, where maintaining high hips and preventing fatigue are key to strong finishes.
The best tech suits this year combine innovative materials with advanced construction techniques to minimize drag and optimize both speed and comfort. Whether you’re a sprinter or compete in mid-distance or long-distance backstroke events, there are great options to boost your performance in the pool.
5. Arena Carbon Glide
Strengths:
The Arena Carbon Glide offers a unique combination of compression and flexibility, making it one of the best suits for long-distance backstroke events. The suit features a carbon fiber cage that provides vertical and horizontal compression, supporting the swimmer’s muscles without restricting movement. This helps backstrokers maintain a streamlined position and minimize drag throughout the race
The fully bonded seams and hydrodynamic design reduce water resistance, while the suit’s smooth fit allows for easy transitions during turns and finishes. The Arena Carbon Glide’s carbon fiber technology also provides added durability, making it a solid investment for competitive swimmers
Weaknesses:
Like other high-end tech suits, the Arena Carbon Glide comes with a steep price tag. Additionally, some swimmers may find the carbon cage to be too stiff, especially if they are used to more flexible suits like the Carbon Air 2
Fit and Backstroke Specificity:
The Carbon Glide’s balance of compression and flexibility makes it ideal for backstrokers who compete in mid- to long-distance events. The suit’s carbon fiber cage helps the swimmer maintain a strong body position without sacrificing mobility, making it a great choice for athletes who need both speed and endurance in the backstroke.
4. Mizuno GX-Sonic V Multi Racer
Strengths:
The Mizuno GX-Sonic V Multi Racer is designed with high compression to keep the swimmer’s bodyline straight, reducing drag and helping maintain optimal body positioning. The suit’s cross-shaped internal tape supports a stronger kick, making it perfect for backstrokers who rely on consistent, powerful leg movement throughout their race
The GX-Sonic V is also praised for its durability and long-lasting compression, making it an excellent investment for swimmers who compete frequently. The suit is especially effective in races where maintaining hip elevation and minimizing drag are critical
Weaknesses:
The high level of compression can limit mobility for some swimmers, particularly those who prefer more flexibility in their racing suits. Additionally, the suit’s design may feel overly tight, especially for longer events, where range of motion and comfort become more important
Fit and Backstroke Specificity:
The Mizuno GX-Sonic V is specifically designed to keep the hips elevated, a key factor in successful backstroke swimming. The internal taping and high-compression panels ensure that the swimmer maintains proper alignment in the water, which reduces drag and increases speed. It’s an ideal choice for backstrokers who want maximum muscle support and minimal resistance.
3. TYR Venzo Tech Suit
Strengths:
The TYR Venzo stands out for its compression and lift technology, which is perfect for backstrokers who need to maintain a high body position in the water. TYR’s Surface Lift Technology prevents water from permeating the suit, effectively keeping the swimmer’s body on top of the water. This is particularly important in backstroke, where a lower body position can increase drag and slow down a swimmer
The Venzo’s Endo Compression Cage also provides strong muscle support around the core and legs, which enhances the swimmer’s kick power and helps maintain proper form during long races. The fully bonded seams minimize drag, allowing for a smooth glide through the water
Weaknesses:
The high level of compression can feel restrictive for some swimmers, especially in longer races where flexibility and comfort are prioritized. Additionally, like the Speedo LZR Pure Intent, the TYR Venzo is priced on the higher end, which may be a limiting factor for some athletes
Fit and Backstroke Specificity:
The TYR Venzo’s ability to lift the body out of the water is particularly beneficial for backstroke, helping to maintain speed and minimize resistance. The compression enhances muscle activation, which is crucial during the powerful kicks required for this stroke. The suit’s overall fit provides excellent hip and core support, making it ideal for sprint backstroke events.
2. Arena Carbon Air 2
Strengths:
The Arena Carbon Air 2 is renowned for its ultra-lightweight design and high level of comfort. It’s a popular choice among swimmers who prioritize mobility and flexibility, which is particularly beneficial for backstrokers. The single-piece fabric construction minimizes seams, making it a hydrodynamic suit that offers reduced drag. The internal carbon bands provide just enough compression to support muscle activation, especially in the core and legs, without limiting range of motion
Another advantage of the Carbon Air 2 is its breathability and quick-drying fabric, which keeps the swimmer comfortable even during extended race meets. The suit’s flexibility is especially beneficial in mid- to long-distance backstroke events, where excessive stiffness can become a liability
Weaknesses:
While the Carbon Air 2 offers excellent flexibility, it doesn’t provide as much compression as some other high-performance suits, such as the Speedo LZR Pure Intent or Arena Carbon Glide. For sprinters or backstrokers looking for maximum compression to aid in explosive starts and turns, the Carbon Air 2 may feel too forgiving
Fit and Backstroke Specificity:
This suit’s light compression and flexibility make it an excellent choice for backstrokers who need a balance between muscle support and freedom of movement. The smooth fit across the body, with reduced drag from seams, helps swimmers maintain a streamlined position in the water, ideal for maximizing speed in longer backstroke events.
1. Speedo Fastskin LZR Pure Intent
Strengths:
Designed specifically with feedback from Olympic backstroke champion Ryan Murphy, the Speedo LZR Pure Intent Backstroke Edition is one of the most advanced backstroke-specific suits available. The suit incorporates power bands on the front, rather than the back, to support strong leg kicks, which are critical for backstroke swimmers. The band technology helps elevate the hips and maintain optimal body position, reducing the drag caused by a lower body sinking as fatigue sets in during the race
Additionally, this suit uses triple-fabric construction, which promotes flexibility without compromising on compression. The bonded seams reduce drag, making this a fast suit in the water. It also utilizes textured fabric zones specifically designed to enhance movement efficiency by targeting drag reduction in key areas
Weaknesses:
The main drawback of this suit is its high price point, making it a premium option that may be out of reach for some swimmers. Additionally, the level of compression may feel restrictive for swimmers who prefer more range of motion, especially in longer races
Fit and Backstroke Specificity:
The suit’s design caters to backstrokers by keeping the hips elevated, an essential feature for maintaining speed and minimizing resistance. The unique placement of power bands at the front helps with kicking efficiency, making it ideal for backstroke-specific races, where a strong kick can determine the outcome.