FLEXMAX straps New
A newly engineered shoulder strap that conforms to the body with adaptive flexibility. Less pressure through the shoulders, freer rotation through every stroke — and the suit is noticeably easier to get on.
Arena Powerskin Carbon AIR3 · New elite racing suit
The Speed
of Light.
Arena Powerskin Carbon AIR3 Racing Suit
Fast has a new feel. The lightest suit in the Powerskin range, rebuilt with Arena's elite-tier construction.
Born from the Carbon series
athletes have trusted for a decade.
Rebuilt with the construction of Arena's highest-tier racing suits.
Fast has a new feel.
113 g/m²
Material weight — the lightest fabric in the Powerskin range, by Arena's official figure.
10×
A single carbon fibre is ten times stronger than steel, woven into the suit as horizontal power bands.
80%
…and 80% lighter than steel. Compression, stability and durability without the weight.
The fabric
Carbon shell.
Second skin.
Horizontal carbon bands lock down at critical stretch, delivering moderate compression, stability and power exactly when and where you load them — while the base fabric keeps the ultralight, barely-there feel that made the Air family legendary.
Outer shell: 65% polyamide, 34% elastane, 1% carbon fibre. It's a small number that does a lot of work.
3/5Compression (Arena rating)
5/5Flexibility (Arena rating)
113 g/m²Material weight
What's new
Four upgrades, one suit.
The AIR3 takes technology from Primo and Veloce — Arena's top-tier elite suits — and brings it to the suit swimmers already love wearing.
Leg-lift taping New
A completely new internal taping construction — developed from Primo and Veloce — lifts the legs and hips for higher body position, reduced drag and improved stability into the back half of your race.
Premium lining New
The updated interior lining is more hydrophobic and smoother against the skin, with higher support and durability. Built for all-day race comfort across multiple events and rounds.
More coverage, more sizes New
Extended length from waist to knee for better compression and hydrodynamics, plus new long-torso kneeskin sizes for a near-custom fit — without sacrificing compression where you need it.
"Same iconic feel, same legendary performance — now with elite construction that lifts, aligns and streamlines."
Arena, on the Powerskin AIR3Colourways
Core colours.
Two core colours, with limited editions to follow through the season.
Where it sits
The Powerskin range.
Every Powerskin racing suit, from first tech suit to top tier. The AIR3 is the flexibility-first elite suit — pro-level construction, accessible to every racer.
- ST NextEntry level · Performance for allKnitted fabric
- ImpulsoZero distractionsWoven fabric
- AIR3Elite · Maximum flexibility & water feel113 g/m² · Flex 5/5
- Carbon GlideElite · Glide efficiency & controlCarbon fibre construction
- VeloceSpeed made comfortableHyperforce fabric · 119 g/m²
- PrimoGreatest compression, ultimate elasticityHyperforce fabric · 220 g/m²
Head to head
How does AIR3 compare?
We're a brand-agnostic swim shop — we stock Arena and Speedo side by side. Pick a suit and see the honest, spec-by-spec read.
| Feature | Powerskin AIR3 | Carbon Air² |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon shell fabric | ✓ Carbon bands woven in | ✓ Same fabric family |
| Material weight | 113 g/m² | 113 g/m² |
| Second-skin feel | ✓ Ultra-light | ✓ Ultra-light |
| Taped & bonded seams | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compression (Arena rating) | ●●●●● Moderate — carbon bands + taping | ●●●●● Light |
| Flexibility (Arena rating) | ●●●●● Maximum | ●●●●● Maximum |
| FLEXMAX shoulder straps | ✓ New adaptive straps | — |
| Leg-lift construction | ✓ Internal taping from Primo/Veloce | — |
| Interior lining | Upgraded hydrophobic lining | Three-panel lining (previous gen) |
| Coverage & sizing | Extended waist-to-knee · long-torso options | Standard cut & sizes |
| World Aquatics approved | ✓ | ✓ |
Our honest read
The AIR3 keeps everything swimmers love about the Carbon Air² — the same 113 g/m² carbon shell, the same featherweight second-skin feel — and adds the construction upgrades that used to be reserved for Arena's top-tier suits: FLEXMAX straps, leg-lifting internal taping, a better lining and more sizes.
The Air² remains a superb racing suit, and Arena will keep it in line (black and blue only) through the LA 2028 Olympics — so it's a genuine option if you love it. But if you race regularly, the AIR3's fit and body-position upgrades make it the one to pick.
| Feature | Arena Powerskin AIR3 | Speedo LZR Pure Valor 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Racing fabric | Carbon shell — 1% carbon fibre woven in | LZR Racing Fabric |
| Material weight | 113 g/m² (lightest Powerskin) | Not published, slightly heavier |
| Compression | Moderate — horizontal carbon bands lock down at critical stretch | Moderate |
| Flexibility | Maximum (Arena rating 5/5) | Built for greater range of movement |
| Shoulder straps | FLEXMAX adaptive straps | Standard straps (open or closed back) |
| Support construction | Internal leg-lift taping — lifts legs & hips | Compressive inner-leg seam for muscle support |
| Water repellency | Hydrophobic shell & upgraded lining | Long-lasting water-repellent finish |
| Cuts available | Open-back & closed-back kneeskin · jammer · long-torso options | Open-back & closed-back kneeskin · jammer |
| World Aquatics approved | ✓ | ✓ |
Our honest read
You won't go wrong with either of these. Each is its brand's versatile, all-round racing suit — flexibility-first, comfortable over a full session of racing, and proven from county level right through to elite competition.
The biggest practical difference is fit. Arena's cut favours a narrower, straighter body shape, while the Speedo is more forgiving through the hips and bum. If you're between the two, that's the deciding factor — message us with your build and your events and we'll give you a straight answer on which will fit you better.
Good to know
AIR3, answered.
What's the difference between the AIR3 and the Carbon Air²?
Both share the same 113 g/m² carbon shell fabric and ultra-light second-skin feel. The AIR3 adds four upgrades: FLEXMAX adaptive shoulder straps, internal leg-lift taping developed from Primo and Veloce, an upgraded hydrophobic interior lining, and extended waist-to-knee coverage with new long-torso sizes. Arena rates the AIR3 slightly higher for compression (3/5 vs 2/5) with identical flexibility (5/5).
Is the Powerskin AIR3 World Aquatics (FINA) approved?
Yes. The kneeskins and the jammer are all approved by World Aquatics for competition, including sanctioned meets in the UK.
Which cut should I choose — open back or closed back?
Both kneeskins are identical in fabric and construction. The open back frees the shoulder blades for maximum reach and feel, and most sprinters and butterfliers prefer it. The closed back adds coverage and a locked-in, supported feel through the torso that some swimmers prefer for backstroke and distance events. If you're between the two, the open back is the more popular choice.
How does the AIR3 compare to the Speedo Fastskin LZR Pure Valor 2.0?
They're natural rivals — both World Aquatics approved, both flexibility-first, versatile racing suits that work for swimmers from county to elite level. The practical difference is fit: Arena's cut favours a narrower, straighter body shape, while the Speedo is more forgiving through the hips and bum. See the full head-to-head comparison above.
What colours does the AIR3 come in?
Two core colourways — Black-Teal and Blue Cosmo — with a series of limited-edition colours coming up through the season.
How should I care for a tech suit?
Rinse it in cool, fresh water after every session, hand wash only, never wring it, and dry it flat away from direct heat. Put it on carefully (no long nails or jewellery) and save it for race day — tech suit fabrics are engineered for speed, not daily training mileage.
Arena Powerskin AIR3
Fast has
a new feel.
Your next PB deserves the right suit. Order your AIR3 today — or send us your events and sizing and we'll make sure it's the right call before you spend a penny.
Aqua Swim Supplies — UK swim specialists stocking all major race suit brands.
