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Know exactly what you're
buying or selling.
SuitScore™ is SuitCycle's standardized condition grading system, five tiers defined by measurable criteria, not guesswork.
How it works
Grading methodology
Label & Logo
Are the brand markings, graphics, and seams still clean and intact?
Elasticity & Compression
Does the suit still snap back and hold compression when worn?
Water Repellency
Does water still bead off the fabric, or does it soak through?
Each of the five tiers is defined across all three categories. Sellers self-select the tier that best matches their suit, and the community depends on that accuracy.
SuitScore™ applies equally to both age categories. 12 & Under suits are graded by the same physical criteria as 13 & Over suits, the only difference is that 12 & Under swimmers are not subject to World Aquatics (FINA) approval requirements for competition.
Gold
0–2 races100% performanceA Gold suit is effectively race-new. It has been worn no more than twice and retains all its original compression, water repellency, and structural integrity. Indistinguishable in performance from a suit purchased off the shelf.
Label & Logo
- Brand label fully visible, colors vivid, no fading or peeling
- Heat transfer graphics sharp with no lifting at edges
- Seams flat, no puckering or thread pulling
Elasticity & Compression
- Snaps back immediately when stretched, no hesitation or lag
- Compression uniform across the entire suit body
- No soft zones at hips, thighs, or torso panels
Water Repellency
- Water beads and rolls off instantly across all panels
- No absorption anywhere on the fabric surface
- Suit feels lightweight and non-waterlogged after immersion
Best for
Championship meets, taper races, or any swimmer who wants full-spec performance at a fraction of retail.
Podium
3–6 races90% performanceA Podium suit has been raced a handful of times but retains most of its technical performance. Slight wear is visible on close inspection but compression and water repellency remain near their original levels.
Label & Logo
- Label slightly faded but all text remains readable
- Heat transfer edges may show very minor lifting at corners
- Seams intact with no thread pulls
Elasticity & Compression
- Returns to shape within 1–2 seconds when stretched
- Very slight softness detectable at seam intersections
- Compression feels firm throughout most of the suit
Water Repellency
- Water beads on 80–90% of the fabric surface
- Minor dull patches visible on close inspection
- Suit feels only slightly heavier than Gold after immersion
Best for
Regional championships, invitationals, big dual meets, any race where a meaningful performance advantage matters.
Prelim
7–10 races70–80% performanceA Prelim suit has seen a full season or two of racing. It still provides a meaningful advantage over a practice suit, particularly in compression, but some performance has been lost. Great value for budget-conscious athletes.
Label & Logo
- Label faded but still readable, brand and size identifiable
- Light peeling or edge lifting on heat transfer graphics
- Minor seam puckering at stress points (hip, shoulder, inner thigh)
Elasticity & Compression
- Takes 3–5 seconds to return to shape after stretching
- Moderate softness noticeable at hips and waistband
- Compression still present but reduced relative to Gold
Water Repellency
- Water beads on 50–75% of the surface
- Visible dull or saturated patches on panels
- Suit noticeably heavier than new after immersion
Best for
League championships, JO qualifiers, early-season invitationals, or a swimmer at their first big meet who wants a real tech suit without the Gold price tag.
Backup
11–14 races40–60% performanceA Backup suit has been raced extensively and shows it. Compression is noticeably reduced and water repellency is significantly degraded. Still technically a tech suit, but the performance gap vs. a practice suit is narrower.
Label & Logo
- Label faded, possibly cracked or partially missing
- Heat transfer graphics cracked or large sections lifting
- Seam puckering visible at multiple stress points
Elasticity & Compression
- Slow return to shape, more than 5 seconds
- Noticeable looseness at waistband and thigh seams
- Compression feels significantly reduced throughout
Water Repellency
- Water beads on less than 50% of the fabric
- Large saturated patches across multiple panels
- Suit feels substantially heavier after even brief immersion
Best for
Practice warm-ups, time trials where feel matters, relay leadoff suits, or a swimmer who needs any tech suit to qualify and has a tight budget.
Practice
15+ races0–30% performanceA Practice suit has been raced past the point of meaningful tech-suit performance. It may still fit like a tech suit but provides minimal compression or water repellency advantage over a standard training suit.
Label & Logo
- Label missing, completely illegible, or fully peeled
- Heat transfer graphics mostly or entirely gone
- Significant seam damage or thread pulling throughout
Elasticity & Compression
- Little to no snap-back when stretched
- Loose throughout with no meaningful compression feel
- Suit feels like a thicker training suit when worn
Water Repellency
- No water beading, fabric absorbs water immediately
- Suit soaks through entirely on first immersion
- Significantly heavier than a new suit when wet
Best for
Heavy training sets where feel and fit matter, building confidence in a familiar suit, or a swimmer on a tight budget who wants the experience of wearing a tech suit.
Sources & references
USC Illumin
How to Engineer a Record-Breaking Swimsuit, materials science behind tech suit performance.
FINIS, Inc.
Life of a Racing Suit, guidance on tech suit care, longevity, and compression retention over race cycles.
World Aquatics (FINA)
Requirements for Swimwear Approval, technical approval criteria and performance standards for competitive swimwear.
SuitScore™ is a proprietary grading system developed by SuitCycle. Tier definitions draw on publicly available performance research and direct input from competitive swimmers and coaches.
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