Racerback
The straps converge between the shoulder blades into a single panel. The join sits low enough to clear your neck and high enough that a strap can’t slide off mid-stroke. It offers the most coverage and the most support of the common training backs, which is why it’s the default in squad kit. See racerback suits.
Flyback
The straps run straight down the back and meet in a narrow V without crossing. More skin shows than on a racerback and less fabric holds you in, but it pulls on and off far more easily. It’s a reasonable middle ground when a racerback feels restrictive across the shoulders.
Pro back and super pro back
Thin straps, a deep open back, and almost no fabric across the shoulder blades. Rotation is completely unrestricted, which suits butterfly and backstroke sets. The trade-off is support: there’s little holding anything in place, so it’s the least forgiving cut for a larger bust.
Which one lasts longest
Thinner straps carry the same load across less fabric, and they sit exactly where a suit stretches most. A pro back will usually go slack at the straps before a racerback in the same fabric does. If you swim daily, the heavier back is the cheaper one over a year.
Men’s cuts
Jammers and briefs have no back style to choose. They’re sized on waist alone, and the decision is coverage: a jammer runs from the waist to above the knee, a brief stops at the hip. Both come in the same chlorine-resistant fabrics.
Relevant suits
| Suit | At a glance | Sizes | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Amanzi Amanzi Girls Baltix Proback One Piece Swimsuit - Blue/Purple | Chlorine-resistantprobackone piece | 24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38,40 | $45 £34.20 | Allens Swimwear→ |
TY TYR TYR Durafast Elite Flyback One Piece | Chlorine-resistantflybackone piece | 28,30,32,34,36,38 | $88 | Amazon→ |
 Arena Arena Womens Icon Super Fly Back Swimsuit - Red/White | Chlorine-resistantfly backpro back | 26,28,30,32,34,36,38 | $36 £27.03 | Allens Swimwear→ |
 Nike Nike Womens Hydrastrong Team Colorblock Racerback One Piece Swimsuit - Black/White | Chlorine-resistantracerbackone piece | 28,30,32,34,36 | $51 £38.81 | Allens Swimwear→ |
FU Funkita Funkita Racerback One Piece Cup Sized DD-G | Chlorine-resistantD–K cupracerbackone piece | 30DD,32E,34F,36G | $72 | Amazon→ |
Prices and exchange rate as of Oct 13, 2026 (£1 = $1.3220). Allens prices are charged in pounds; the dollar figure is a conversion. Check the retailer for the current price.
Find your size
FAQ
Which back style is best for wide shoulders?
A racerback. The straps sit closer together at the join, so they track with your shoulders instead of sliding outward as you rotate.
Do back styles affect speed?
Not meaningfully in a training suit. The differences that matter in racing come from compression and seam placement in a tech suit, not from how much of the back is open.