Alameda Runners – Get After It!

Santa stopped at Finis on the way to my house this year and brought me a pair of competitive briefs, two pair of long SwimAmerica shorts and a pair of shockwave goggles.  Finis has quietly taken over my swim collection.  I don’t have much brand loyalty for anything.  If a company takes over on any of my high use items, it because they have a product I like at a price I am willing to pay.  People who do not shop at swim shops don’t usually know about Finis.  The big sporting chains usually carry Speedo, Nike and little else.  Nike is the king of sports and swim suits are called Speedos for a reason.

The Finis competitive briefs are great swim suits because they are durable and double lined.  When you swim in a pool a lot, the single lining gets very thin and become transparent when wet.  You usually go around mooning people for a while before someone tells you about your clear shorts.  The double lining gives you time to notice the wear before the inner lining wears out.  I like to wear briefs when lap swimming because there are less things to move around and wear out.

The Finis Swim America long swim suit was on sale so Santa brought me two pairs.  The long shorts do not last nearly as long as the briefs because there is a lot more material to stretch out and move around.  The long shorts are a good change of pace every now and then.  I really like the long shorts when I am going to do a swim bike combo.  Riding with the long suit is like wearing cycle shorts without padding.  I see a lot of guys at the pool wearing the long suits.  Give them a try, long shorts may be for you.

Shockwave goggles – My first pair of Finis goggles were review goggles and I have been wearing them since.  Goggles are very personal as everyone has a different facial structure.  The Finis goggles have a good seal that is pretty durable.  The anti fog coating lasts about as long as the seal so it is a good match.  I get between 200 and 300 swim hours out of a pair of goggles before they start fogging up and leaking.

I like my Finis swim equipment.  All of my stuff is for training.  I do not wear race swimwear as most of my races are in cold water where I am wearing a wetsuit.  I have a warm water triathlon scheduled this July in Napa California.  I will not wear a wetsuit in 75 degree water but I am not sure about wearing a $200 swimsuit on a 56 mile bike ride.