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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Sustainable swimming kit: Meet Corca Mar
Corca Mar makes sustainable kick floats and pull buoys from natural cork, a durable and functional alternative to EVA foam.…
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Power up: 9 reasons to train in fins
Outdoor swimming coach and endurance swimmer, Rowan Clarke, tests Speedo’s new swim fins.
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Spring into the season
Care is still needed for spring swimming as the water is still cold and the weather can be fickle at…
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Which swimming wetsuit should I go for?
To help you narrow down your choices, the Outdoor Swimmer team headed to Clevedon Marine Lake to put four Orca…
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Which goggle lens do I need for open water and pool swimming?
Swimming goggles come with a vast array of lens types, all suited to different light conditions. Gear Editor Jo Tinsley…
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Is all neoprene harmful?
Rowan Clarke explores how toxic neoprene is responsible for a health crisis, and why the appetite for truly sustainable wetsuits…
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Best jammers, briefs and shorts for outdoor swimmers
Whether you’re after a flexible fit for training, thermal fabric for core warmth or a lightweight hybrid short for impromptu…
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Men’s swimming costumes: what to wear, where and when
We polled our readers to find out what men prefer to wear in six scenarios ranging from wild swimming, open…
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How to choose a swimming cap
Durable silicone swimming caps, long hair swimming caps or thermal swimming caps: read our guide to choosing the right head…
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How to choose a swimming watch
What features should you look out for in a swimming watch? We polled our readers about what they found most…
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Goggles from the future
Rowan Clarke finds out how innovative goggles fit the face of future swimming.
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Power up: how to embrace technology for your swimming
A strictly analogue swimmer, Rowan Clarke discovers technology’s place in the water.
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How to layer up after a cold swim
With numb fingers, damp skin and scant shelter, it can be hard to get dressed and warm after a cold…
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The winter swimming gloves and booties debate
Outdoor Swimmer readers share their opinions and advice on the use of neoprene accessories for cold water swimming
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Should you winter swim in a wetsuit?
A wetsuit might keep you warmer but is it worth the additional hassle when the water is cold?
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Dryland training for swimmers
What is dryland training and why is it important?
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How to choose the best wetsuit for your swim
With the wide range of open water wetsuits available on the market, it can be challenging narrowing down the right…
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How to get started in swimcamping
If you love swimming and camping, expand your swim horizons with an overnight adventure and go swimcamping, says Colin MacLeod
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This booty was made for walking
Ella Foote heads to the hills with Every Body Outdoors and realises how having the right kit can completely change…
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How to fuel your long-distance swim, plus energy gels tried and tested
Swimming in open water poses unique challenges in terms of energy needs. Read our tips for staying fuelled on long-distance…
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Wetter by design
Rowan Clarke delves into the fascinating evolution of our swimming kit, and how these humble items can go way beyond…
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How to train in the pool for open water success
American Olympic hopeful Ivan Puskovitch speaks about the training regime that earned him his place in the Paris Olympics
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How to maintain your outdoor swimming kit
How not to be an “all the gear and no idea” swimmer. Simon Griffiths has your guide to maintaining your…
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How to choose prescription goggles: our experts put six to the test
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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Watch our entire video wetsuit series – everything you need to know about wetsuits
Do I need a wetsuit for open water swimming? How do I choose the right one? And how do I…
