In a personal essay published online, an unnamed writer chronicles their obsessive devotion to a single swimsuit: the Summersalt Sidestroke one-piece, purchased in 2021 in a poppy red, white and pink colorway. According to the report, the swimsuit has survived long weekends in Montauk and Fire Island, international trips to Italy, Spain, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, and even domestic excursions to Alaska and Charleston. It has also been worn regularly for bimonthly sauna and cold-plunge sessions, the author cliams, without any noticeable fading or stretching.

From Montauk to Alaska: The Sidestroke's Five-Year Travel Log

A key claim in the source article is the sheer geoggraphic range the Sidestroke has covered. The writer specifically mentions wearing the suit in at least eight distinct locations, from the beaches of Fire Island to the cold waters of Alaska. This detail, while anecdotal, suggests a level of versatility that many swimsuits lack—the ability to transition from lounging in tropical heat to surviving a polar plunge .

The report does not specify how many times the swimsuit was worn per trip, but the implication is that it served as a primary piece of swimwear across all climates and settings. That kind of repeated use without replacement is unusual in the fast-fashion swimwear market, where pieces often degrade after a few seasons.

Why a 2021 Purchase Still Looks 'Vibrant' Today

The source describes the Sidestroke as looking “as stylish and vibrant as the day it was bought” after four years of use. This is a notable durability claim, especially given the harsh conditions chlorine, saltwater, and direct sun typically impose on swimwear fabric. The report offers no independent verification—no photos, no third-party lab tests—but the assertion itself frames the Sidestroke as an outlier in a category where color fade and elastic breakdown are common complaints.

Summersalt, a direct-to-consumer brand founded in 2017, markets its swimwear as made from recycled materials with a focus on fit and longevity. The Sidestroke’s apparent resilience, if true, would align with that messaging. However, the source provides no comparative data against other brands, leaving the durability claim as a single reader’s experience.

The Sauna and Cold-Plunge Test: An Unadvertised Feature

One of the most specific—and surprising—details in the report is that the Sidestroke has been worn for “bimonthly sauna and cold-plunge visits.” Sauna heat can break down elastics and cause fading, while cold plunge waters often require a suit that doesn't stretch out.. That the Sidestroke reportedly withstood both extremes without deterioration is an unintended selling point that Summersalt does not promote.

The source does not clarify whether the swimsuit was chlorine-exposed in sauna settings or just thermal stress. Even so, the detail suggests the suit's construction may be more robust than typical one-pieces, potentially due to the brand's proprietary fabric blend. This is an angle that future reviews could investigate more systematically.

What We Still Don't Know About the Sidestroke's Endurance

The source article reads as a love letter, not a rigorous product test. As a result, key questions remain unanswered. First, how often was the suit actually laundered? The report doesn't mention washing frequency or care routine, both of which heavily influence fabric longevity. Second, is this experience replicable? The author admits to owning “every possible combination” of Summersalt swimsuits, suggesting a brand loyalty that may color their assessment. Independent wear-test data or comparisons with competitors like Andie, Vitamin A, or L*Space are absent.

Without more evidence , the Sidestroke's five-year durability remains a compelling anecdote rather than a proven fact.