Compression vs. undersizing

[JamesSwim]

Some suits are designed for compression fit. Some people wear undersized suits for compression. Is it one and the same?

If you undersize, maybe leg openings get too small, but perhaps suits made for compression are made with stretchier fabrics and cut differently? (usually they are made for competition)

I do realize that you can't undersize with nylons suits, for example, since they don't stretch

[Swimmboy]

Compression suits are specifically designed to compress certain muscles for the swimmer, usually the upper thigh muscles. The suits had panels sewn into the fabric that compressed those muscles. Such compression suits are now largely banned. Undersizing can be done in any suit - brief or jammer - that just squeezes everything and can be uncomfortable if the guy has to wear the suit on deck for long periods of time. But swimmers do feel more compact (thus, have less resistance to overcome) in tighter suits.

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

Originally Posted by Swimmboy

just squeezes everything and can be uncomfortable if the guy has to wear the suit on deck for long periods of time.

Depending on how far u downsize, it really mashes up your privates and your balls hurt pretty quickly. One size down is OK, but two or more is like putting the stuff in a vice. Plus it mashes your package down so u have a flatter bulge. U'd be amazed how much your stuff can flatten out. U either swim faster cause u are more streamlined or you just want to get it over and let the boys loose. Heaven forbid u get hard....painful....lol

[JamesSwim]

Thanks for the info! Seems painful, so I'll stick to the regular suits.