If you swim regularly in a pool, you may have noticed that some swimsuits seem to last for years, while others quickly fade, stretch or lose their shape. Often, the difference comes down to the fabric.
So, what is chlorine-resistant swimwear? Put simply, it’s swimwear made from fabrics specifically designed to better withstand regular exposure to chlorinated pool water. This can help your swimsuit retain its fit, shape and colour for longer, making chlorine-resistant swimwear a great choice for lap swimming, aqua aerobics, swim teaching and anyone who spends a lot of time in the pool.
But what makes one swimsuit more chlorine resistant than another? Here’s what regular swimmers need to know about choosing a swimsuit that can handle plenty of pool time.
What material is swimwear made of?
There isn't one standard swimsuit material. Most swimwear is made from a blend of synthetic fibres, with the combination depending on whether the swimsuit has been designed primarily for fashion, recreation or frequent swimming.
Common swimwear fibres include nylon (also called polyamide), polyester and elastane, while swimwear designed for regular pool use may also contain PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), a type of polyester. Understanding these names can be useful when you're checking the fabric composition of a swimsuit.
Nylon (polyamide) and elastane
Many conventional swimsuits are made from nylon, which may also be described as polyamide, blended with elastane.
This combination can create beautifully soft, stretchy swimwear with plenty of flexibility, which is one reason it is popular in fashion and recreational swimwear. It’s what allows a swimsuit to hug your body, move with you and then spring back into shape.
You may sometimes hear elastane referred to as spandex, particularly in American product information. LYCRA®, another familiar name, is a specific trademarked brand of elastane fibre rather than the generic name for all elastane.
Polyester
Polyester is generally more resistant to chlorine than elastane. It also has good colour retention and durability, which makes it a popular choice for performance and training swimwear.
Polyester and PBT
You may also see PBT listed on the fabric composition of chlorine-resistant swimwear.
PBT stands for polybutylene terephthalate and is part of the polyester family. Polyester/PBT combinations are widely used in swimwear designed for frequent training because they provide excellent resistance to chlorine while still giving the fabric the flexibility needed for swimming.
Why does chlorine damage swimwear?
Chlorine plays an important role in keeping swimming pools clean, but it can be tough on your swimsuit. However, conventional elastane can be vulnerable to repeated chlorine exposure, making swimwear that relies heavily on this fibre less suited to frequent pool swimming.
As the fibres begin to break down, you might notice your swimsuit:
- losing its shape
- becoming loose or saggy
- fading
- developing thin or transparent areas
- losing its stretch and recovery
If you only swim occasionally, this will happen slowly. But if you're swimming laps several times a week, the difference can become much more noticeable, which is why fabric choice is important.
What makes swimwear chlorine-resistant?
In simple terms, chlorine-resistant swimwear relies on fibres that are better able to withstand exposure to pool chemicals. Instead of relying heavily on conventional elastane for stretch, many highly chlorine-resistant swimsuits use polyester or polyester/PBT fabrics.
This helps the swimsuit retain its:
- shape
- fit
- colour
- strength
- performance
for longer, despite repeated trips to the pool.
Swimwear brands have also developed their own chlorine-resistant fabrics specifically for regular swimmers. At Face the Water, you'll find examples from Speedo, Funkita and Australian swimwear brand Kozii, each taking a slightly different approach to creating durable pool swimwear.
Speedo Endurance+
Speedo's Endurance+ is one of the best-known chlorine-resistant swimwear fabrics. Speedo describes Endurance+ as 100% chlorine resistant and quick drying, with colour designed to resist fading significantly longer than conventional swim fabrics. The fabric is designed to retain its shape while still providing the stretch and freedom of movement needed for regular training.
At Face the Water, you'll find Speedo styles designed for regular swimming, including the Solid V-Back 2.0 One Piece, along with styles such as the Hydrasuit and Racer Zip Swimsuit.
Funkita C-Infinity
Funkita is another favourite with regular pool swimmers – particularly if you like a little more colour in your swim bag. Its C-Infinity fabric is a premium polyester fabric developed for chlorine resistance and long-lasting colour.
Funkita now also uses ECO C-INFINITY, made using polyester manufactured from end-of-life plastic bottles. Funkita describes ECO C-INFINITY as 100% chlorine resistant and designed to maintain its colour through regular swimming.
The Funkita Diamond Back is a great example for lap swimmers who want freedom of movement with modest rear coverage and a supportive fabric panel across the back. Face the Water also stocks Funkita styles such as the Single Strap and Tie Me Tight, giving you different strap and back options depending on how you like your swimsuit to fit.
For swimmers who prefer a two-piece, Funkita's range also includes separate tops and briefs, including supportive crop-top styles made from the same chlorine-resistant ECO C-INFINITY fabric.
Kozii Chlorine Tough
Australian swimwear brand Kozii has developed its Chlorine Tough collection specifically for frequent pool use. The range is designed to resist the effects of chlorine while maintaining shape, colour and performance over time. Kozii also designs its Chlorine Tough styles with the needs of lap swimmers, swim teachers, aqua aerobics devotees and other regular pool users in mind.
At Face the Water, some of our favourite Kozii styles include the Elite Bind and Xover, available in both solid colours and prints. They’re a good option if you want chlorine-resistant performance swimwear with distinctly Australian styling and plenty of colour.
Is chlorine resistant the same as chlorine proof?
You may see the terms chlorine resistant and chlorine proof used when shopping for swimwear. They can mean different things depending on the fabric and manufacturer, so it's worth looking beyond the terminology to the actual fabric composition and product specifications.
However, remember, your swimsuit is exposed to more than chlorine. Sunscreen, body oils, heat, UV, rough pool edges and the way you wash and dry your swimmers can all affect how long they last.
So even when you buy highly chlorine-resistant swimwear, taking care of it is still worthwhile. For frequent swimmers, a swimsuit designed for pool use can also represent better value. A less expensive swimsuit isn't necessarily cheaper if you have to replace it far more often.
Does chlorine-resistant swimwear feel different?
It can.
One thing you might notice when you first try on a highly chlorine-resistant swimsuit is that the fabric can feel firmer and less stretchy than the soft elastane-rich swimmers you may be used to. That doesn't necessarily mean you've chosen the wrong size.
The difference is partly because highly chlorine-resistant fabrics may contain little or no conventional elastane. Polyester-based fabrics can have a firmer feel while still providing the flexibility needed to swim comfortably.
How do you care for chlorine-resistant swimwear?
Even chlorine-resistant swimwear benefits from a little TLC.
Rinse your swimmers promptly. Rinse your swimsuit in fresh, cool water as soon as you can after leaving the pool.
Don't leave it wet in your swim bag. Avoid leaving your swimsuit rolled up in a towel or sitting damp in your bag for hours.
Follow the care label. Hand washing in cool water is generally gentler than throwing your swimsuit into the washing machine.
Skip the dryer. Heat can be hard on swimwear fibres. Gently press out excess water and allow your swimmers to air dry in the shade.
Be careful with sunscreen. Sunscreens and body lotions can also affect swimwear fabrics. Where practical, apply sunscreen before putting on your swimmers and give it time to absorb.
Watch rough surfaces. Sitting on concrete pool edges and other abrasive surfaces can damage even very durable swimsuit fabric.
These simple habits can help extend the life of your swimmers, regardless of the fabric.
Where to buy chlorine-resistant swimwear
When shopping for chlorine-resistant swimwear, look for a retailer that understands the difference between a swimsuit designed mainly for relaxing by the water and one designed to spend hours in the water.
At Face the Water, we stock chlorine-resistant swimwear from specialist brands including Speedo, Funkita and Kozii, with different cuts, colours, coverage and support options to suit the way you swim.
Whether you're swimming laps, heading to aqua aerobics or simply spending more time at your local pool, choosing the right fabric can make a noticeable difference to how well your swimmers hold their shape and colour.
FAQs
If you swim regularly in a chlorinated pool, chlorine-resistant swimwear is worth considering. Fabrics designed for frequent pool use generally maintain their shape, fit and colour better than swimwear that relies heavily on conventional elastane.
For someone swimming several times a week, choosing a more durable swimsuit may also mean replacing your swimmers less frequently.
Polyester is one of the most chlorine-resistant materials commonly used in swimwear. Polyester/PBT fabrics are also widely used in performance swimsuits designed for frequent pool swimming.
When you're comparing swimsuits, check both the fabric composition and the manufacturer's description of its chlorine resistance.
Start with the fabric, then think about fit and support.
Look for swimwear specifically described as chlorine resistant and check the fabric composition. Polyester and polyester/PBT fabrics are particularly well suited to regular pool use.
Then consider what matters most to you: bust support, adjustable straps, coverage, neckline, freedom of movement and whether you prefer a sporty training style or something a little less technical-looking.
The best chlorine-resistant swimsuit is one that combines durable fabric with a fit you genuinely enjoy swimming in.
There's no single lifespan for a chlorine-resistant swimsuit. How long it lasts depends on the fabric, how frequently you swim, the chlorine levels in the pool and how you look after it.
Rinsing your swimmers after each swim, avoiding excessive heat and allowing them to air dry can all help extend their life.
Polyester has good natural resistance to chlorine and is commonly used in swimwear designed for frequent pool use.
However, not all polyester swimsuits are constructed in the same way. If chlorine resistance is important to you, look for swimwear specifically described as chlorine resistant rather than relying on the fibre content alone.
In swimwear, nylon is a type of polyamide, so you may see the material described as nylon or polyamide depending on the brand and garment label.
Nylon/polyamide is soft, lightweight and flexible, which makes it popular in swimwear. However, if you're swimming frequently in a chlorinated pool, it's important to consider the complete fabric blend – particularly how much conventional elastane it contains – rather than looking at nylon or polyamide alone.
Not quite. Elastane is the generic name for the stretchy synthetic fibre also known as spandex in the United States. LYCRA® is a trademarked brand of elastane fibre made by The LYCRA Company.
So while you may hear people use “Lycra” as a general term for stretchy swimwear, technically not all elastane is LYCRA®.
Yes. Chlorine resistance and bust support are two separate features, so it’s possible to find swimsuits that offer both.
Chlorine resistance comes mainly from the fabric, while bust support comes from the construction of the swimsuit.
If you’re looking for a chlorine resistant swimsuit that offers bust support try: Speedo Racer Zip Swimsuit, Speedo Flex Band Swimsuit, Funkita Swim Crop Top, Kozii Xover and BounceDown which is specifically designed for larger busts.
Yes. There are now more options in plus-size chlorine-resistant swimwear, including styles with greater coverage, wider straps and added bust support.
Face the Water stocks chlorine-resistant options such as the Speedo Endurance+ Medalist up to size 18, Speedo Solid Racerback up to size 18, and Funkita chlorine-resistant styles in larger sizes.
Chlorine-resistant swimwear should generally feel comfortably firm when it is dry.
Because many chlorine-resistant fabrics contain less conventional elastane, they can feel a little firmer and less stretchy than fashion swimwear. That’s normal.
The straps should sit securely without digging in, the neckline should stay close to the body and the swimsuit should not feel loose or baggy. For lap swimming, it’s also worth moving your arms through a swimming motion when trying it on to make sure you have enough freedom through the shoulders.
If you swim several times a week, rotating between two or more swimsuits can be a good idea.
It gives each swimsuit time to rinse, dry completely and recover between sessions, while also spreading the wear across more than one suit.
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