Gear Advice
Discover our expert recommendations for outdoor swimming gear. Learn how to choose goggles, swimwear, wetsuits, and other accessories to suit your needs. Get advice on packing smarter for open water swims and races. Understand how equipment like pull buoys, shoes, and tow floats can enhance your swimming and safety. With trusted guidance on selecting the right gear for comfort, performance, and protection in cold water, this collection helps you prepare for a safer, more enjoyable outdoor swimming experience.
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Best prescription goggles – and how to choose the right pair for you
Whether it’s clearly sighting a course, deciphering the lido clock or simply enjoying the scenery, having the correct prescription goggles…
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Pants vs shorts
Do you favour sleek, quick-drying, performance-focused trunks, jammers and budgie smugglers or the modest coverage of swimming shorts? Jonathan Cowie…
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How to use a pull buoy
Pull buoys can help with coordination and arms-only training, and can also make for a very relaxing, even meditative swim.…
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Footwear for outdoor swimming
It's a good idea to give our feet some protection when outdoor swimming. Here we share some footwear options.
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What to carry in a tow float bag
Tow floats or tow bags and are now widely used by outdoor swimmers, but what do people carry in them?
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Putting the sass and style into modest swimwear
If swimming is for everyone, why is it that some needs are still not met when it comes to suitable…
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Alpkit launches wetsuit recycling with Circular Flow
British outdoor brand Alpkit is partnering with Circular Flow to close the loop on wetsuit recycling.
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How hard is it to make your own swimsuit?
Editor Ella Foote embarks on a two-day course with The Swimming Seamstress, Amanda Bowden, to learn how to make your…
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Our Body, Our Swim: Swimwear designed to support all body types
When it comes to swimwear, everybody has different needs and concerns. We put your questions to Zoggs designers Giorgia and…
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How to host a swimmers’ swish
Exchange your barely worn booties and ill-fitting goggles for a kit bag or second hand changing robe – all without spending…
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New year, new outdoor swimming kit
Thinking of splashing out on a new piece of outdoor swimming kit for 2023? We have your guide to five…
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How to pack smarter for your swims
As opposed to the warm comfort of the swimming pool, swimming outdoors, combined with all the (often unpredictable) elements, requires…
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How to choose prescription goggles
Off-the-shelf prescription goggles only correct for distance, not astigmatism, so in order to calculate the power for your goggles, you…
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How much do shoes slow you down when you’re swimming?
The first time I swam in shoes, I discovered my feet were more important to swimming than I thought, even…
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Top tips on getting race-ready before the summer
With a large number of outdoor swim events and races taking place in the summer, the beginning of the year…
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Should you accessorise for cold water swimming?
Is it better to use gloves and socks for comfort in cold water, or toughen up and deal with it?
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What clothing do I need for cold water swimming?
What should you wear on your head? Do you need a changing robe? Outdoor Swimmer’s Jonathan Cowie answers some frequently…
