Speedo Quality Decline

[Endurance Lad]

Hi all, my name is Mike from Melbourne Australia. This is the first time I have posted on the revised speedo fantasy board (I used to post under the name Ozimica before changing that to Endurance Lad, based on my preference for the Speedo Endurance Brief). Some may recall. Some may not. Many won't care :p

I ventured out to a local shopping centre/mall that had recently been revamped to include some new department stores, one of which being called David Jones (the first one in my area). David Jones would be considered a premium end department store.

While there today I picked up a new hoodie/jersey for around the home as we head into the southern winter and I picked up a new Speedo Endurance brief. Being a premium department store I felt uneasy about trying a brief on and purchased based on my knowledge of my size, 16/34. Alas after paying $50.00 ($52USD) I come home and tried on my new brief and discovered it to be too big which was very disappointing (as you would well imagine). While I have a few Speedos in good condition there really is only one I feel comfortable swimming in.

One thing I learned

After assessing my small pile of briefs I have assessed that the narrower the hip-rise the larger the brief is in my collection. While a wider hip proved I owned a brief one size smaller (I never noticed this before).

On to topic

It was the QUALITY I was really disappointed with much more than me buying a size too big. This link is similar to the brief I boutght http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/speedo-8-031986941-ps-med.jpg

As I rummaged through my surviving collection, dating back to 2001, of Speedos made under the Endurance fabric style it was clear this latest purchase was just not the same fabric. Even indeed I compared to a brief I "rescued" from the change rooms (Ascot Vale) of a similar variety. The fabric just proves to be thinner. Much more light comes through (and this is a black brief). Finally the fabric has noticeably more give when you pull (stretch) at it.

Has anybody else noticed this?

If so has anybody found a happy alternative to the Speedo Endurance brief?

I might now try buying a skimpier one from the UK where "old faithful
came from. Australia proves to be a dumping ground for inferior imports of late. Case in point a $100 business shirt isn't anything like it used to be. Because of this I have finally been spurred the courage to begin buying clothing online ... If I have to buy crap products I am NOT paying through the nose for the privilege.

Any thoughts or input would be truly welcomed.

Mike
(Endurance Lad)

PS: My tag reference to Endurance Lad has nothing to do with the story of the Endurance Swimmer from STS which was a truly wonderful and well written piece.

[louis]

Ouf that was a long tread and lots to answer to.
I will never the less briefely respond, I also have bene dissapointed after purchasing speedo endurance suits, one reason is to start with I prefered by far just the ordinary speedo brand without the endurance added, I found that the endurance were made bigger then and didnt correspond to the sz. ordered
(the equivalent to sz. 34 in Australian sizes.
I found that they have a terndency to strech a lot anyway I winded up with ta suit that was way to big mfor me that I floated in.
Anyway from now on I will buy any speedo brand without the endurance word added to speedo.
I purchase a lot of suits from Australia (different brands and it seemed to me that in general Australians make them bigger then suits from elswere in the world, that doesnt correspond with american and uk (etc) sizes anyway.
You might compare them with japanese suits that are made very small witch does that if purchased theres a big chance that you wont even to slip it on, except that Oz suits are to big.
Another thing, wene you looke at pics of australians with suiits on they seem to be rather loose,(perhaps thats the way australian guys prefer them.
Perhaps it vwould be best that when one purchases suits from Australi it would be best to buy sizes smaller.Buying suits were it doesnt matter , one must be careful to notice if they are nylon and expect them to be smaller then lycra suits nylon do not strech wene lycra suits do.
I understand your frustration its very dissapointing to notice that suits purchased dont fit ether to small or to big and most firms dont exchange them for sanitary reasons.
Its very delicate to purchase suits on the internet some company smake them ether smaller or bigger then the sizes specified.
the best way is to buy them at local stores and try them on, of course one must notice the material on the material they are made with.To put it all in a nutshell one must be very carefull wene purchasing suits and exam all options possible.the next time I buy suits from Australia I will order a sz smallle aND SEE THE RESULTS HOPING THAT THEY WILL FIT BETTER.
BTW YOU ARE ON THE DOORSTEPS OF WINTER WE ARE JUST ABOUT TO ENTER OUR SPEEDO SEASON. mY APOLOGIES FOR MY ENGLISH AND MISSPELLINGS I AM FROMTHE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC CANADA WITCH IS A FRANCOPHONE PROVINCE. LANGUAGES PREVAIL IN SUCH CASES.

[Torchwatch]

Speedo Endurance use a low stretch fabric, stretch fabrics lose their stretch so a low stretch fabric will last longer. They have made your new suit from a thinner more stretchy fabric from the same pattern size as your old pair and therefore it feels too loose. To make a medium suit in stretch lycra and in non stretch nylon different patterns should be used to fit the same swimmer. Speedo in changing the fabric they are using have neglected this.

It would be interesting to take a look at the label and see what country they were made in, perhaps it is not Australia. They seem to have used the right pattern and the wrong fabric and still stamped it will the Endurance logo. it may even be fake goods.

[epicinspeedo]

I have had wonderful results form my TYR Durafast suit. I got it as a grab bag suit, as the sides seemed smaller than Speedo, plus the pattern was neat. This was a year and about 50 trips to the pool ago. The suit fits as it did on the first day. It is less stretchy, more nylon, not as much spandex. The emblem is embroidered, so it stays put as well. My speedo screen prints come off within 10 trips to the pool.

I own several speedo suits, and I would highly recommend he TYR durafast suits!

[shaulis]

I own both speedo and tyr suits. I use them the same amount but I will have to replace my beloved pair of speedos because of fabric stretch.

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

I have had some Speedos that seem to last forever... some not. Tyr for me is the least longevity suit, but for some of the fashion oriented that just don't hold up at all.

[Endurance Lad]

HI All,

Thanks for the many replies. You have given me much to think about (fortunately it's a topic I am happy to wallow away the time on). I am going to breeze through some of the major points you have raised thus far.

Product being real or fake.

I take the point on board that it could be a fake, these days fake goods are everywhere. All I can say to this is that it "shouldn't" be fake having been purchase from a top line department store.

Sizing being different in Australia.

This is one thing I hate about buying clothes of any type without trying on first. A size is not a size is not a size. I am your average Joe. I am six foot. 87kg/192lb. Bit of a belly (which I am reducing and can see all I need to see). 35 yrs old. 34 inch waist.

I know that generally when I buy anything I prefer to try it on first. I know I can buy shirts from one brand in small and another brand in large. Generally I would class myself as medium ebbing to large. The same goes for trousers, jeans, shirts, jumpers, knits and shoes... and now speedos too.

Country of origin.

Like everything is this country now this Speedo is produced in China :mad:

Explains a lot!!!

Aussies Wearing Loose Suits

I think you might get that image from some of the images of lifesavers on the beach and some images propergated by the Aussiebum brand. While I like that look for the Aussiebum product and for outdoors / beach / lake / chilling out ... for lap swimming I want it all in place.

I might have to pay closer attention to my fellow swimmers though and see just what is happening out there :D

Tyr Suits

I have never used these and they aren't generally available in retail stores. Would be definitely harder to find here (If anyone in Melbourne knows please share). I have had a look online and was put off as most have a wider hip.

Please post some examples maybe I can source from overseas.

Endurance Versus Normal/Lycra

I prefer the endurance, always have. I am just never happy with my butt in lycra suits.

Embroidered Logos Versus Screen Print

I agree embroidered is best. In my opinion the screen print logo is only there as the manufacturer KNOWS it will come off and entice the wearer to buy more SOONER.

Diamonds Are Forever

Like SwimTeamSpeedo says some of my suits have seemed to have lasted forever and ever. These are all the endurance ones. All the lycra ones and the high end fashion ones have ALL come and gone. While the endurance, um, endure.

Thank you for all your thoughts and responses. And to recap (not that we have gone off topic at all) my focus here is for lap swimming briefs.

Mike

[PSDave]

I have found that the 100% nylon suits last the longest. I have Speedo suits that are more than 10 years old and still look great and fit the same as when they were new. I was disappointed that there has been a decline in quality in the Aussiebum suits. The nylon seems to be getting thinner and not holding up all that well. They got so popular so fast I think quality suffered.

[Cordy]

Mike, the DJs Speedos would be genuine. Just poor quality made in China is what we get here now. Bad design too. I find them too loose at the back and very narrow in the front.

TYR Durafast swimwear is sold through some public pools. Waves pool near Southland sells them.

http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=403

They also have a new brand there called FINZ.

Good luck.

[Cordy]

Try this link.

http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=2125&h=0

[Torchwatch]

ASDA the UK branch of Walmart (USA) have launched their summer ranges this week. This includes a home-brand men's swim brief. It is black with blue and white sides, is made of nylon and elastane, but looks like nylon. It is one of the thinnest stretch fabrics that I have seen. They have to use a wedge of paper to hold it on the clip hangers.

If you want a 8cm side swim brief you could buy this suit for £4 (GBP) but it might be best to consider it disposable.

[Torchwatch]

It appears that the 2012 UK version of the Speedo Endurance had an 8 cm side while the 2013 suit has a 7 cm side.

Wonder what the side length of the Australian suit that was found to be unsatisfactory was.

The 7-8 cm (3") sides seem to be an American style, against the European style of 5 cm (2") side in a racing brief.

Personally I prefer the 5 cm style, but then I am am tall and long legged, so won't be buying Speedo Endurance this season.

[PSDave]

Quality is slipping everywhere. I just sent back an Aussiebum that was so poorly made I would have been better off with a Chinese copy

[sebbie]

Interestingly, the really high quality stuff is made by the Chinese. Check out the Aquox ans Seobean briefs if you don't believe me!

[JamesSwim]

I have had wonderful results form my TYR Durafast suit. I got it as a grab bag suit, as the sides seemed smaller than Speedo, plus the pattern was neat. This was a year and about 50 trips to the pool ago. The suit fits as it did on the first day. It is less stretchy, more nylon, not as much spandex. The emblem is embroidered, so it stays put as well. My speedo screen prints come off within 10 trips to the pool.

I own several speedo suits, and I would highly recommend he TYR durafast suits!

I noticed there are two types of Durafast suits. Regular training Durafast which is all polyester / PBT and a Durafast Elite competition suit that is made of polyester and lycra.

http://www.tyr.com/shop/mens/swimwear/training-suits.html
http://www.tyr.com/shop/mens/swimwear/competition-swimsuits/men-s-durafaste-elite-solid-racer-swimsuit.html

[Torchwatch]

China's recent industrial revolution occurred with a poorly trained workforce and no tradition of quality control either for incoming raw materials or for the production process itself. The emphasis was upon mass production, not on quality and Chinese products had a reputation for failure.

Japan who had an industrial revolution in the 1950's went through the same process, making unreliable and odd motorbikes and cars until they started getting things right in the 1960's when their transistor based electronics burst forth upon the world.

When Japanese customers buy from China they demand proper quality standards, so Japanese labelled Chinese made goods are of high quality; while the rest of the world buying on price alone get what they deserve and face the consequences of substandard goods.

I spent last summer rebuilding Chinese made shower screens, there were design, manufacturing and assembly faults that had to be corrected. There was no feedback through the manufacturing process so the same mistakes were repeated over several orders and production runs.

If you must get Chinese made goods get those intended for the Japanese market rather than for Europe or America. As the customer services departments get tired of complaints for shoddily made goods the Chinese quality standards will gradually rise but so will their prices, allowing goods to be made elsewhere in the world.

[PSDave]

add Andrew Christian to the list. My friend told me his new suits stitching all came out the second wearing.