Chlorine Resistant Swimwear Explained!
If your swimsuits keep going baggy, thin or faded within a few months, chlorine is almost certainly the culprit. Pool water is treated to keep it safe, and the same chemicals slowly break down the stretchy fibres in standard swimwear. This explainer is part of our guide to choosing swimwear and covers what chlorine-resistant swimwear is and whether you need it.
What makes swimwear chlorine resistant?
It comes down to the fibres. Standard swimwear relies on elastane (also known as spandex or Lycra) for stretch, and elastane is vulnerable to chlorine. Chlorine-resistant fabrics use a higher proportion of polyester, or specially engineered elastane, which stands up to pool chemicals far better.
How Swimwear Fabrics Compare
| Fabric | Chlorine resistance | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester-rich blends | High | Hold shape and colour well with frequent pool use. Slightly less stretch. |
| Chlorine-resistant elastane blends | Good | More stretch and comfort, engineered to resist chlorine better than standard elastane. |
| Standard nylon and elastane | Lower | Soft and stretchy, but tends to bag and thin with regular pool use. |
| Racing fabrics | Not designed for it | Thin and compressive. Built for race day, not daily chlorine. |
Who needs chlorine-resistant swimwear?
Anyone who swims regularly in a pool. As a rule of thumb, our swimwear experts recommend chlorine-resistant fabric for anyone swimming more than twice a week. That includes lane swimmers, club squads, aqua fitness regulars and children having weekly lessons.
WHO BENEFITS MOST
WHO BENEFITS MOSTLane swimmers
Lane swimmersThree or more sessions a week soon wear out standard suits.
Club swimmers
Club swimmersDaily training is the toughest test any swimsuit faces.
Children in lessons
Children in lessonsWeekly lessons, plus holidays, add up fast for a growing swimmer.
How long does chlorine-resistant swimwear last?
It depends on how often you swim, how chlorinated your pool is and how you care for the suit, so we won't promise a number. What we can say is that a chlorine-resistant suit will keep its shape and colour noticeably longer than a standard suit swum in the same pool and cared for the same way.
The mistake: Buying a soft, stretchy fashion swimsuit for three sessions a week because it felt nicer in the changing room.
What happens: Within a few months the seat goes baggy, the fabric thins and the colour fades. The suit ends up costing more because it needs replacing sooner.
How to avoid it: Choose chlorine-resistant fabric for regular pool swimming, and keep softer fashion suits for holidays.
How do you choose a chlorine-resistant swimsuit?
Check the fabric composition on the label or product details. High polyester content, or named chlorine-resistant fibres, are good signs. Then choose the style as you would any training suit. Women's training swimsuits and kneesuits come in chlorine-resistant fabrics, and our women's swimsuits include plenty of options.
Men will find chlorine-resistant fabric across training jammers and briefs, and our men's training jammers are a good place to start. Not sure which cut? Our guide to choosing swimwear compares jammers, briefs and shorts.
Does chlorine-resistant swimwear matter in the sea?
Less so. Salt water, sun and sand are hard on swimwear in their own ways, but chlorine is the main reason pool suits wear out. If you swim mostly in the sea or lakes, fabric choice is more about comfort, sun protection and warmth. If you split your time, chlorine-resistant fabric is still the safer bet.
Is chlorine-resistant swimwear worth it for children?
Usually, yes. A child in weekly lessons plus the odd family swim and a holiday can easily clock up more pool time than an adult lane swimmer. Children also grow, so you want a suit that still looks and fits like new when it's time to size up, not one that's gone baggy halfway through the year.
How can you make any swimsuit last longer?
- Rinse it in cool fresh water straight after every swim.
- Squeeze out water gently; never wring it.
- Dry it naturally in the shade, away from radiators and tumble dryers.
- Rotate two suits so each has time to dry and recover.
Our swimwear care guide has more detail. When a suit does wear out, our post on signs your swimsuit needs replacing explains what to look for.
Why Buy Training Swimwear From Allens Swimwear
We've been helping regular swimmers choose suits that go the distance for 50 years.
Written by a swimwear specialist at Allens Swimwear, 50 years of expert fitting. Updated 5 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chlorine-resistant swimwear worth it?
Yes, if you swim more than twice a week. It keeps its shape and colour much longer in pool water, so it needs replacing less often.
What fabric is most resistant to chlorine?
Polyester-rich blends are the most resistant. Some suits also use specially engineered elastane, which offers more stretch while resisting chlorine better than standard elastane.
Does chlorine-resistant swimwear fade?
It fades far more slowly than standard swimwear, but all fabrics fade eventually with sun and chlorine. Rinsing after swimming and drying in the shade helps.
Is chlorine-resistant swimwear comfortable?
Yes. Modern chlorine-resistant fabrics are comfortable for long sessions, though polyester-rich suits have slightly less stretch than soft fashion swimwear.
Can children's swimwear be chlorine resistant?
Yes. Many children's swimsuits and jammers are made in chlorine-resistant fabrics, which makes them good value for weekly lessons and club training.