ARENA Powerskin ST Next Open Back Women's Racing Swimsuit

In this review of the ARENA Powerskin ST Next Open Back women's racing swimsuit, the bottom line is simple: it is built for competitive swimmers who want a lighter, more streamlined suit with sustainable materials. The most compelling reason to buy is the fabric: this is the first FINA-approved women's racing suit made with recycled yarns, and it delivers a noticeably lighter feel and reduced water absorption compared with conventional race suits. The suit is cut for a tight, compressive fit and rewards experienced racers who want improved glide and a durable compression over long training cycles.

Key Features

• Recycled performance fabric: Over 60% of the material is made from recycled yarns, reducing environmental impact while keeping competitive performance.
• Lightweight construction: The significantly lighter fabric reduces water absorption and drag, helping maintain speed between strokes.
• Longer-lasting compression: The new fabric provides sustained compression over time, which helps preserve the suit's shape and power delivery.
• Ergonomic seams and fit: Low profile seams and an ergonomic construction ensure a snug fit and excellent freedom of movement in the water.
• Reinforced shoulder straps: Strengthened straps improve comfort and durability during starts and turns without compromising mobility.
• FINA-approved: Legal for competition at regulated events, making it suitable for serious racing.

Who It's For

The ARENA Powerskin ST Next is aimed at competitive female swimmers and club racers who prioritize race-day performance and reduced drag. Its compressive, race-oriented cut benefits athletes who already understand how a tight suit should fit and who want the advantage of lighter, sustainable fabric on competition days.

Swimmers who are new to race suits, those who prefer a more relaxed fit, or anyone who struggles with precise sizing should shop carefully; customer reports indicate the suit runs small and the size chart can be misleading, so trying sizes or ordering considerately is advised.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lightweight fabric that absorbs less water and can reduce drag in the pool.
• High proportion of recycled yarns makes it a more sustainable choice for racers.
• Strong, sustained compression and reinforced straps deliver support and durability.
• FINA approval means it is legal for regulated competitions.

Cons

• The suit is designed for a very tight, compressive fit and often runs smaller than expected, so sizing issues are common.
• Some customers reported mixed experiences with durability despite the improved fabric, so long-term wear may vary by user.

Specifications

Brand	ARENA
Model	Powerskin ST Next Open Back
Target use	Women's competitive racing
Material	Sustainable fabric with over 60% recycled yarns
Fit	Tight, compressive race fit (open back)
Approval	FINA-approved for competition
Construction	Ergonomic seams and reinforced shoulder straps

Our Verdict

The ARENA Powerskin ST Next is a strong choice for serious female competitors who want a lightweight, sustainable race suit that reduces drag and maintains compression over time. It offers good value for racers focused on performance, but buyers should be cautious with sizing and may need to size up to achieve the correct compressive fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this suit legal for championship meets?
Yes. The Powerskin ST Next is FINA-approved and permitted for regulated competition.

Does the suit run true to size?
Many customers report the suit runs small and recommend checking measurements carefully or selecting a larger size for a race-day compressive fit.

What makes this suit more sustainable?
The fabric contains over 60% recycled yarns, making it one of the first FINA-approved women's racing suits to use recycled materials.