Arena Powerskin Impulso Racing Suits
The Arena Powerskin Impulso is designed for competitive swimmers who want to take their racing performance to the next level without moving straight into the highest priced technical suits. Combining premium woven fabric, moderate compression and a flexible construction, it offers an excellent balance of performance, comfort and value.
Available in men's, women's, boys' and girls' styles, the Impulso is a versatile addition to Arena's Powerskin racing range. Its hydrophobic fabric treatment helps limit water absorption and reduce drag, while strategically placed flatlock seams provide a streamlined fit without unnecessarily restricting movement.
A Step Up in Racing Suit Technology
The Impulso sits between Arena's entry level ST NEXT and its more advanced technical racing suits. It is designed for swimmers who want to move beyond a traditional entry level race suit and experience the benefits of a woven racing fabric.
One of its biggest advantages is its flexibility. Feedback from comparative testing highlights that the Impulso feels more stretchy and easier to pull into position than the ST NEXT. This can make getting ready for competition a more comfortable experience, particularly for swimmers who find firmer racing suits restrictive.
It provides moderate compression and support without the extremely firm feel associated with some premium racing models.
Premium Woven Fabric and Hydrophobic Performance
The Arena Powerskin Impulso uses high quality Italian woven fabric developed for competitive swimming. Its construction offers a combination of durability, flexibility and water resistance, helping the suit maintain its performance through repeated use.
The hydrophobic fabric treatment limits water absorption, helping the suit remain lightweight in the water. This contributes to a streamlined feel and supports the swimmer's performance during competition.
Compared with traditional knitted race suit fabrics, the woven construction is designed to offer improved shape retention and resistance to stretching over time.
Moderate Compression Without Restricting Movement
Compression is an important consideration when choosing a racing suit, but more compression is not necessarily the right choice for every swimmer.
The Impulso provides moderate muscle support while allowing a good range of movement. Its flexible construction makes it a useful option for competitive swimmers who want the support of a technical race suit without the particularly restrictive feel of a high compression model.
It is especially worth considering for age group and club swimmers developing their racing experience and becoming accustomed to wearing more advanced competition suits.
Arena Impulso vs Arena ST NEXT
Choosing between the Impulso and ST NEXT depends on the swimmer's experience, budget and preferred fit.
Arena ST NEXT: An accessible entry level racing suit offering moderate compression and a practical introduction to technical race suit construction. It is a sensible option for younger swimmers who are still growing or competing less frequently.
Arena Powerskin Impulso: A step up in fabric construction, offering a flexible woven material, hydrophobic properties and a more advanced racing feel. It is a good choice for swimmers who want to invest in a more developed technical suit.
The Impulso is also reported to be easier to put on than the ST NEXT, with a more flexible feel around the shoulders and legs. This can be an important consideration when choosing a suit for competition.
How Does the Impulso Compare with Arena's Premium Race Suits?
The Impulso offers a more accessible route into woven racing suit technology, but it is important to understand where it sits within the wider Powerskin range.
Arena's higher end models, including the Carbon, Veloce and Primo ranges, offer more specialised fabric constructions and performance features. The Impulso does not have the bonded seams or premium materials found in the Primo, nor is it designed to provide the same level of specialised compression as Arena's flagship models.
Instead, its strength is the balance it provides. For many competitive club swimmers, it offers plenty of racing technology, comfort and durability without the expense of the very top end suits.
Arena Powerskin Impulso Features and Benefits
- Premium Woven Fabric: Italian woven construction designed for competitive swimming.
- Hydrophobic Treatment: Helps limit water absorption and reduce drag.
- Moderate Compression: Provides muscle support while allowing freedom of movement.
- Flatlock Seams: Low profile stitched seams designed to provide a smooth, comfortable fit.
- Flexible Construction: Offers a more forgiving feel when putting the suit on and getting into position.
- Durable Fabric: Designed to retain its shape and performance through repeated use.
- Multiple Styles: Available in men's jammers, women's openback kneeskins, boys' jammers and girls' kneeskins.
Who Should Choose the Arena Powerskin Impulso?
The Impulso is particularly suitable for competitive club swimmers who are ready to invest in a more advanced racing suit. It is a good option for swimmers moving beyond entry level competition suits and looking for improved fabric technology and a more refined racing fit.
- Competitive age group swimmers looking for their next racing suit.
- Club swimmers wanting woven fabric technology at a more accessible price.
- Swimmers who prefer moderate compression rather than an extremely firm fit.
- Swimmers who value flexibility and easier suit application.
- Parents looking for a balance of performance, comfort and value for developing swimmers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of swimmer is the Arena Powerskin Impulso suitable for?
The Impulso is designed for competitive swimmers, particularly club and age group swimmers looking to move into a more advanced woven racing suit.
Is the Arena Impulso better than the ST NEXT?
The Impulso offers a more advanced woven fabric construction and a flexible feel, while the ST NEXT is a more accessible entry level racing suit. The best choice depends on the swimmer's experience, budget and preferred fit.
Does the Arena Impulso provide high compression?
The Impulso offers moderate compression and muscle support. It is not designed to provide the extremely firm compression of some premium racing suits.
What is the difference between woven and knitted race suit fabric?
Woven fabrics are constructed differently from traditional knitted materials and are used in technical racing suits for their performance, shape retention and durability characteristics. The Impulso uses a woven fabric designed for competitive swimming.
Is the Arena Impulso suitable for a swimmer's first technical race suit?
It can be a good choice for swimmers ready to progress beyond an entry level suit. However, the ST NEXT may be a more economical option for younger swimmers who are still growing or competing less frequently.
How should I choose the correct Arena Impulso size?
Technical racing suits are designed to fit very closely. Use the appropriate Arena race suit size chart and take accurate body measurements before ordering. Do not simply choose your usual training swimwear size. If you are unsure, contact us for advice before purchasing.
